On October 5, 2024, we witnessed the third edition of Sessions from La Loma, which is meeting for the second time at the Dorado Agrotourism Park. The annual activity has already become a massive concert, on par with the great salsa productions worldwide. With just five years of launching the concept and two concerts before what was an unforgettable Saturday, Nor-Bert achieved a balanced production between veteran and new artists. The following were brought together on the La Loma stage: Luva, Juan Vélez, Manolito Rodríguez, Jota Ruiz, Jorge Yadiel Santos, Carlos García, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Víctor Manuelle and José Alberto “El Canario”, at the invitation of Nor-Bert, who also gave way to Michelle Brava during her performance.
To enjoy the salsa party, hosted by the charismatic Norberto Vélez, whom the music scene calls Nor-Bert, fans came from Panama, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain, Canada and Switzerland, to name a few. It is a source of satisfaction and encouragement to see how salsa is still current, despite the changes that the music scene has undergone.
Within the framework of the changes, it is striking that the successful event has taken off with the forcefulness with which it has called us all without the direct support or visibility of the radio stations that program salsa within Puerto Rican territory. That, from the objective perspective of the salsa fan, gives more merit to the production team that Nor-Bert has surrounded himself with.
We take advantage and congratulate him, attesting to his desire to do without delegating what he feels is his responsibility. We note the international presence, stating that in this third edition the concert was filled to capacity with the rotation of the concept through YouTube and social networks. What would have sounded like madness years ago is a success story that feeds the salsa scene in a varied way without limiting itself to what could become routine.
The public that follows the salsa sound already trusts Nor-Bert and his musical management. Regarding his power to attract people, the leader and manager of La Loma tells us: “currently we have a responsibility and we are committed to continuing with this project. What began as a hobby is now an obligation that we carry out with great pride and with much love. We do it from the heart, because we receive the support of the people. We feel the affection of the people. That can be seen here, in each video that we upload and in each post.”
Nor-Bert is a multifaceted singer-songwriter. He grew and polished his musical talent in NG2. His discipline has allowed him to continue growing, when the general consensus is that the salsa scene is too difficult for singers. Nor-Bert proves that being a soloist can be difficult although possible. His success makes salsa look good. He is living proof that salsa lives on. He says: «I decided to make music. I decided to believe in myself and in my project. I decided to believe in my career. I don’t expect anyone to do anything for me. I decided that my success is in self-management. Today that faith has given me the possibility to grow, along with my team. In other words, the one who stays at home and complains that he is not working is because he is staying at home. I go out on the street, and with the boys we go to work. We go to look for something to do and that is what has given us results. Regardless of whether the radio sounds good to you or not, we continue making music. I looked for my own platform. That is what we did, that is how sessions from La Loma was born and here we are.»
«I continue making my music, I help the boys who are close to me so that they can also expose their talent, with the hope that this will be a springboard for many people to get to know us. The idea is that those who want to continue doing their individual projects,” he says as he says goodbye to continue moving the production. Certainly, as a collaborator of his peers and colleagues, a few months ago we saw how Nor-Bert supported Karla Mari when she was presenting her show inspired by the Queen of Guaracha, Mirta Silva, at the Teatro Tapia in San Juan.
Nor-Bert not only produces, promotes, promotes and interprets. He also makes sure that others sound at the same time that he also sounds. As you can see, he is a unique artist. We wish him good health and prosperity so that he can successfully carry out all the projects that are presented to him.
Also Read: Metamorphosis: from music to photojournalism, a reinvention without limits
