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Dj. Elvis Abello “El de la Salsa Dura en Caracas”

Since 2021, he has been vice-president of the Olimpiada Salsera Internacional de Venezuela Foundation.

He was born on July 3, 1982, in the city of Caracas, with only eight years old, and led by the hand of his father Carlos Abello, his uncles, Hector Diaz, Jhon Abello, Ali Abello, would discover his love for salsa, surrounded by acetates, parties, and stereo.

At the beginning of the 89’s, at his grandmother Crucita’s house, the whole family and friends would gather to share and dance a good salsa, his father would place a plastic box so that it could reach the turntables since at that time his father used vinyl.

Elvis, feeling attracted by the rhythm, already knew some singers, looked for the songs and musicalized those parties, being this way his debut in the world of salsa.

He was born on July 3, 1982, in the city of Caracas, with only eight years of age, and led by his father Carlos Abello, his uncles, Hector Diaz, Jhon Abello, Ali Abello, he would discover his love for salsa, surrounded by acetates, parties and music equipment. — Elvis Alberto Abello Guerrero (El de la Salsa Dura)

In 1996, as a teenager, he began his foray into the music scene in the company of his friend and compadre Jesus Manuel Diaz Mendez, the product of brotherhood and the interest that united them mutually for salsa decided to venture into the world DJ, formed a mini-teque called “Eskpe Display”, They formed a miniteca called “Eskpe Display”, making it known in several popular areas of the capital, especially in the “Paramoconi Park” located in San Bernardino, Caracas, where the popular matinees were held, with a mixed audience from the west of the city, this project would give them the recognition of the dancers and salsa fans in several parishes of Caracas, for several years.

ELVIS, dedicated several years of his life influenced by his family, in this case by his cousins; Ivan Guerrero and Julio Fernandez, to collect discography of his favorite artists, such as: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Blades, Lalo Rodriguez, Alex de Castro, Tito Allen, Luis Enrique, Hildemaro, Rey Ruiz, Roberto Roena, Cano Estremera, Domingo Quiñonez, Luisito Quintero, Orlando Poleo,Kenny Cruz, Pimi Cruz, Rafael de Jesus, Paquito Guzman, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, Oscar de León, Alfredo Naranjo, Marcial Isturiz, Pupy Santiago, Carlos de Castro, Yomar Caballo Mendez, Adalberto Santiago, Jhonny Colón, The Lebron Brothers, Natividad Martínez, Tommy Olivencia, Pete Conde, Sonora Ponceña, Orqueta Tokun, Orqueta O. S, Orqueta Pumaband, Orqueta Mulenze, Wichy Camacho, Pedro Brull, Dimensión Latino, among others. He was a faithful dancer at La Asunción, City Day, Rumbero, Status, Extremo Latino and a fan of the events organized by Betty Zapata together with Juan Carlos Ríos, such as La Noche del Bronx, Orquesta de Willie Rosario, Charanga 90, La Negramenta, Bobby Valentín, among others, always getting infected and betting on the salsa scene.

Thank you for being part of this project ? In this link you will find all the information: https://bailopinto.com/esta-salsa-me-gusta-dj-edition/ Guest Dj @elvisaag Best regards! Saul Delhom @bailopinto — Dj. Elvis Abello “Esta salsa me gusta – DJ’s Edition”.

During the stage of the beginning of the pandemic, a new boom was born for live broadcasts on Instagram Live and Facebook Live, being this an opportunity for Elvis Abello (El de la Salsa Dura) to work as a musicalize in the events of Salsa Dura, known in Venezuela as salsa guateque.

Hand in hand with great DJs such as; Manolo Mariño, Luis Flores, Ruben Arias, Jeferson Parra, Jesus Manuel Diaz, Dervy Palace, Zulay Millan, Susana Calderin, Augusto Felibertt, Edward Alberto, Francisco The Dj Latino, Alan Marriaga, Jaime Guanipa, Rey Salsamania, Edgar Mendoza, Carlos El Latino, Alfredo Lozada, Sol Graffe, Franklin Espinoza, Jheison Parra, Chachito Blanco, Junior Oriak, Kituku Sanchez, Roberth Hidalgo, Nery Jones, David Ferrer, Jesus Jaspe, Felix Valderrama, Andres Hernandez, Cesar Sonero, Jordan Moreno, each one of them, gives their best on stage so that the Salsera nights in Venezuela are of excellent quality.

Since the year 2021, he is vice president of the Olimpiada Salsera Internacional de Venezuela Foundation, this foundation works to project the different DJs and Musicalizadores existing in the whole world, through digital platforms, such is the case of Instagram and Facebook, in the same way the foundation delivers donations in order to help those most in need.

Since October 26th of this year, Saul Delhom and bailopinto.com publishing house, has invited Elvis Abello and several DJs to participate in the digital project called, “Esta Salsa me Gusta- DJ^s Edition”. The book contains a selection of songs associated with tastes, stories, and anecdotes told by each of the interviewees. It is worth mentioning and taking advantage of the essence of this book that talks about the melody as an anchor in certain moments of life; Elvis recalls moments lived with his daughter Madeleine Abello with the song “Al Pasar Los Años” by the Mulenze Orchestra, and his son Samuel Abello, with the song “Y Vuelvo a Fallar” by the same orchestra.

DJ Elvis Abello, for his professionalism, creativity, and charisma, has led him to be recognized as “El De la Salsa Dura”, in various clubs and discotheques in the capital. At the present time, Resident DJ of Café Latino, in the city of Caracas and Director of EA Productions; taking the best Salsa events throughout Venezuela.

Facebook: Dj. Elvis Abello

Article of Interest: Saúl Delhom “Esta Salsa me gusta” one of the things I like the most is to learn, create and share

Louie Ramirez “The Quincy Jones of Salsa” and his progressive talent a genius-in-hidden of Fania All-Stars

The most progressive arranger and innovator of New York Salsa in the 70s and 80s.

Music often requires characters who are always backstage and support with their talent the work of singers and performers, who are eventually the ones who “come forward” and assume the popularity. Sometimes, though, these anonymous characters shot to fame in order to be able to perform their own work and even become more popular than any fashion singer.

a Hidden Genius of La Fania All Stars — The most progressive arranger that Salsa had in New York.

In the case of Pop, this character is named Quincy Jones, who was said to be the arranger for Frank Sinatra and the producer for Michael Jackson. A “nonentity”. In the case of Salsa, these characters have been symbolized by the emulator of Jones, a guy named Louie Ramirez who has done everything with everyone.

An afternoon in 1994, Ramirez was driving his car on the highway that took him to Variety Studios in New York. It was going to be a quick session because he only lacked one track to complete his 20th album as a bandleader. Perhaps this is why he was nervous and full of anxiety. Minutes later, he could not resist the feeling and had to stop the car. He had not finished doing it when a heart attack ended his life.

Introducing Louie Ramirez

The fact was that Louie had the answer and visiting him was like rubbing Aladdin's lamp. That was a characteristic that always accompanied him, since that first recording "Meet Louie Ramirez" in 1963. — Introducing Louie Ramirez 1963

Louie Ramirez was a genius. The one to whom all run for advice and solutions to their problems. It did not matter if they were young or old musicians. The fact was that Louie had the answer and visiting him was like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp. That was a characteristic that always accompanied him, from the first recording “Meet Louie Ramirez” in 1963.

He was 20 years old back then and had a good record with regard to composing some pachangas and arranging for the orchestras of Pete and Tito Rodriguez. Commentator Dick Sugar introduced him like this: Ramirez breaks through the image of a bandleader who uses the talents of other composers and becomes a follower of a rhythm. No, Louie Ramirez is a creator in his genre.

Louie Ramirez Ali Baba

star of Fania Records and, at the same time, as an arranger for the orchestras and ensembles that belonged to the record company. Ramirez soon found himself in a busy schedule and was only able to record two albums during the sixties, "Good news" and "Alí Babá". — Louie Ramirez ‎ Ali Baba

That talent did not go unnoticed by the new Czar of Latin music in New York, Jerry Masucci, who hired him as a star of Fania Records and at the same time, as an arranger for the orchestras and ensembles that belonged to the record company. Ramirez was soon wrapped up in work and could only record two albums during the 1960s, “Good news” and “Alí Babá”.

The last album included the hit that allowed him to be a famous artist, El Títere, a true Salsa classic. The song was performed by Rudy Calzado, the third of the soneros Louie had used without finding the right one. It was a ballast that stayed with him as a director during the 1970s, when he used singers such as Pete Bonet, Tito Allen, Jimmy Sabater, “Azuquita” Rodríguez, Adalberto Santiago, and even Rubén Blades.

Louie Ramirez y Sus Amigos

Ramirez was considered in New York as the most progressive arranger that Salsa had. — Louie Ramírez y Sus Amigos

It was precisely Blades that he made an anthological album with, “Louie Ramirez y sus amigos”, which included the song Paula C, with an arrangement of those that deserve to be admired. By then, Ramirez was already considered as the most progressive arranger of Salsa in New York, thanks to the brilliant works done for the Fania All Stars. An excellent work had been the instrumental arrangement for Juan Pachanga, to be performed by Blades, from Canta for a performance by Cheo Feliciano, and of the entire album “Algo nuevo” performed by Tito Rodriguez with Louie’s orchestra.

Noche Caliente

But the high point of Ramirez's career came in 1980 when Joni Figueras, a representative of K-Tel International's K-Tel label, took Ramirez's career to a new level. — “Noche Caliente” and was recorded by Louie Ramirez’s own orchestra.

The peak of Ramírez’s career was in 1980 when Joni Figueras, a representative of the K-Tel International label, hired him to maka arrangements for the ballads Todo se derrumbó and Estar enamorado by Manuel Alejandro. The album, which included these and other songs, was released two years later under the title “Noche caliente” and was recorded by Louie’s orchestra.

Ballad-salsa or romantic salsa was born as a result of a work Ramírez did until his death, making occasional attempts in Latin Jazz, which he loved. That is why he recorded a tribute album to Cal Tjader in which Louie was the director, producer, composer and arranger. Apart from that, he played the timbales and his favorite instrument: the vibraphone.

Louie Ramirez was a genius of arrangements, in a career that included Guantanamera and Isadora for Celia Cruz, El Guiro de Macorina for Johnny Pacheco and El Caminante for Roberto Torres.

The Cesta All-Stars Vol. 1

The Cesta All-Stars
Vol. 1

Further to that, there are his works for La Alegre and the Cesta All-Stars. Regarding this Ramírez’s profile, critic Eleazar López defined it very well.

“It is not easy to arrange for a dance orchestra, especially when it is a group that cultivates the hot tropical genre. Many musicians feel influenced by Jazz and the result of their orchestrations leaves a vacuum in the dancer”.

Others arrange in a simple way, but it is so simple that they repeat and copy themselves, and the result is tired music, without any degree of creativity: music that says nothing, that leaves nothing. Louie Ramirez has found the perfect balance… that’s why he always stays relevant.

Louie Ramirez has found the perfect balance... that's why he always stays relevant — Louie Ramirez The Hidden Genius of La Fania All Stars

Article of Interest: Bobby Valentin, the King of Bass at the Fania All-Stars Machinery

#ISMPublicity

Preparence is close to the Panama Jazz Festival 2022.

From January 10 to 15, the Panama Jazz Festival 2022 will be held, this being this 19th edition, which will take place both virtual and face-to-face activities, so that the Biosafety regulations of the Ministry of Health will be met (“No cloth” masks and gel), where they are informed that to enter all events they will be asked for the card and QR code 100% vaccinated with a minimum of 14 days and 12-year-olds must present a negative Covid test 24 hours before.

It will be held at the City of Knowledge Athenaeum, where every day except for Wednesday (12) from 7 pm at the National Theater there will be a Gala night with Danilo Pérez and Kurt Elling, however the other days will be presented:

Monday (10): Panamá Connections and Mayra Hurley.
Tuesday (11): Borderlands Trio e Idania Douman.
Thursday (13): Global Messengers and Pz533-Global Jazz Womxn.
Friday (14): Antonio Hart and Solinka.

This year the festival of this edition will be dedicated to Frank Anderson born in Panama, Bocas del Toro on January 24, 1929, in Panama he met and played with many Cuban musicians; In New York, he played piano and directed several recordings by Vicentico Valdés and worked with other artists such as Marcelino Guerra, Polito Galíndez, Arsenio Rodríguez, Andrés Andino and Yomo Toro, Israel López “Cachao”, Clark Terry, and in 1950 he founded his own big band, the musicians were members of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie orchestras. In the 1970s he became musical director and accompanist for many Broadway plays such as Purlie, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, A Raisin in the Sun, Eubie !, The Wiz, and Guys and Dolls. He also recorded on the discs of those works.

In 2009 he was recognized by the New York State Senate for his musical contributions, particularly his role as organist in various Brooklyn churches and his most recent recording is Ochosi Blues (2015) by Benjamin Lapidus and Kari-B3 where he is accompanying with the organ. in its unique style and unmatched flavor that combines Caribbean music, jazz and more in a very personal way. Anderson currently maintains his residence in Brooklyn.

The International Artists to participate are:

Kurt Elling Dúo with Danilo Pérez “Secrets are the Best Stories”:
Renowned for his unique combination of robust swing and poetic acumen, two-time GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling secures his place among the world’s leading jazz vocalists. The New York Times proclaimed him the “most prominent male vocalist of our time.” Over a 25-year touring and recording career, he has won 3 Prix du Jazz Vocal, 2 German Echo Awards, 2 Dutch Edison Awards and been nominated for a GRAMMY Award fifteen times. He has had a 14-year career at the top of DownBeat’s Critics and Readers polls, and has won twelve Jazz Journalist awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year.”Elling’s voice is instantly recognizable, embracing listeners with her warm, rich baritone and navigating the four-octave range as a virtuoso improviser and compelling storyteller. The Guardian has named him “some kind of superpowered Sinatra” and “one of the great jazz vocalists of all time.”
Kris Davis and Bordeerlands Trio with Eric McPherson, Stephan Crump:In Borderlands Trio, the collective efforts of bassist Stephan Crump, pianist Kris Davis, and drummer Eric McPherson have luck on your side. In less than a year their chemistry is unusually deep. The title of their album Asteroidea is the Latin term for starfish, a creature capable of regenerating parts of itself, in turn related to the trio’s ability to constantly develop new landscapes. The word starfish evokes notions of both the ocean and outer space. “Gravity, magnetism, constellations, nature. With this band, we are always expanding and contracting, recontextualizing what surrounds us and heading towards the instantly inevitable. ” Crump comments.Asteroidea is a treatise on immediacy and a deep dive into the spectrum of responses to any gesture. Its rhythms are always transforming, its drama has wacky moments, and its creators are just getting started.
Antonio Hart:He studied jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston with Bill Pierce, Andy McGhee and Joe Viola. Of his friendships in Berklee, Roy Hargrove stands out, with whom he spends three years traveling the world and recording the first three Hargrove albums. During these years on the road, Hart completed a master’s degree at Queens College where he learned from teachers Donald Byrd and Jimmy Heath, who also produced the artist’s second recording ‘Don’t You Know I Care’.With his 1997 release, Impulse Records’ ‘Here I Stand’, he earned a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Jazz Instrumental Soloist’ and additionally participated in more than 100 guest recordings. Since its inception, Hart has recorded eight CDs as a leader. The latest JLP Jazz Legacy productions, ‘Blessings’.The artist balances his time as a full professor at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, with touring with his bands, The Dave Holland Big Band and The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band.
El Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI):It is a musical performance program designed to foster creativity and musical mastery across various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its founder and artistic director.The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the environment. natural.
Global Messengers:Directed by Panamanian pianist and composer Danilo Pérez, Global Messengers draws its unique spirit from the culture and experiences of its members, who come from Palestine, the United States, Greece, Jordan and Panama, with varied musical traditions and instrumentation to match. They are committed to the ancient practice of building community through rhythmically rich and melodically exciting music.* Danilo Pérez piano
* Farayi Malek voice
* Vasilis Kostas laouto
* Layth Sidiq violin
* Naseem Alatrash cello
* Tareq Rantisi percussion
The New England Conservatory (NEC):It was founded in 1867, being the oldest independent music school in the United States. Since its opening it has played an important role in the musical life of Boston and the world. Its mission is to provide a more rigorous education at the level of musicians of all ages and parts of the world. Additionally, we have teachers who encourage individual excellence in a welcoming community.NEC works for music to have an important place in people’s lives and for rigorous education and excellent recognition. Beyond the study of music, NEC teachers help explore the historical and social frameworks that support our musical traditions.
PS-533:It is the number of a class called “Musical Performance and Social Activism” for the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Master’s Program at Berklee College of Music. The PS refers to the department of “Performance” and 533 refers to an upper level class open only to graduate students. Patricia Zarate, a teacher of this class, organized this group in 2022 to present the Global Jazz Womxn (women and dissidents) that stand out as alumni and of the program. The letter “S” was changed to “Z” to reflect the change from a school environment to a professional environment led by Zarate.

The National Artists to participate are:

Solinka: better known as Solange Arias, she was a public servant in the 1950s, working as a secretary in the Ministry of Education of Panama, has a beautiful voice and is very attractive, so a Cuban agent convinced her to be a singer of professional sauce. In those years, men dominated the salsa genre, which is why Solange was not successful at first. It was in Peru that she became a sensation as a salsa presenter, so much so that one journalist wrote that her performance was as brilliant as an “Inca sun,” a nickname she adopted as her stage name, changing the c to a k. Later he found success in his native country and signed a contract with a record company, traveled a lot and won the first prize at the Valparaíso international song festival.
Idania Dowman: She has a privileged and unmistakable voice that has transcended throughout her 27-year career. Daughter of the renowned Panamanian calypsonian Lord Byron. She publicly began in the Church where she was director of the Archdiocesan Choir of Panama and was part of Jazz Effects of Panama with Reginal Boyce. Today he has two groups of his own: The Emotions and Cache. He shared projects with Billy Herron, as he believes in the generational sharing of culture. He has represented Panama in Peru, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Colombia, the United States and Dubai. She was recognized by receiving a Doctorate in Art from the United Graduate College and Seminary International (United States) for her career in ART, MUSIC AND CULTURE; by the National University of Panama in 2012 and 2014, and awarded the Golden Star Awards of the distinguished VIP Diplomática magazine of Peru in 2019.She is recognized for her virtuosity in each of her presentations, for maintaining her Afro jazz essence and being a defender of Panamanian culture.

She is recognized for her virtuosity in each of her presentations, for maintaining her Afro jazz essence and being a defender of Panamanian culture.
Panama Connections: Group made up of professors and scholarship students from the Danilo Pérez Foundation, under the premise of “community and sharing”, Panama Connections explores the creative possibilities between Jazz and its links with Pan-African and Caribbean folklore, from its compositions originals, arrangements and adaptations are focused on this fusion.
Mayra Hurley: Singer, film and television actress, and broadcaster. The Panamanian singer-songwriter is inspired by her multicultural roots that are expressed in all her artistic expressions, from funk, salsa, to rock n’roll, each show is a live experience with Caribbean flavor. In his more than 10 years of experience in musical theater, he has worked under the artistic direction of Bruce Quinn and Edwin Cedeño and has participated in works such as Jesus Christ Superstar (2005), Cabaret (2006), A Chorus Line (2008), Peras en el huerto (2006-2012), Little Shop of Horrors (2010), en la guerra y el amor todo se vale (2011) and Hairspray (2013).He made his film debut in the acclaimed film Historias del canal (2014), presented in the official IFF Panama selection and at international film festivals in Spain, the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and Jamaica. In 2019 he participated in the Panamanian film Escribiendo el General by Oscar Faarup and in 2021 he won the Panama positive award in the category Positive Artist.

Buy your tickets through https://panamajazzfestival.com/ or if you want to have other information, follow the following accounts:

WebSite: https://panamajazzfestival.com/
Facebook: @PanamaJazzFesti
Instagram: @PanamaJazzFestival
Twitter: @PanamaJazzFesti
Correo: [email protected]
Telefono: +507 317-1466

Venezuela – Guinness Record the largest orchestra in the world

On November 13, 2021, there was a dynamic event in Caracas, Venezuela where 12,000 Venezuelan musicians (from 12 to 70 years old) performed in the courtyard of honor of the Caracas military academy, where they performed Tchaikovsky’s Slavic March conducted by The 34-year-old maestro Andrés Ascanio was such a shocking and glorious event that Saturday the 20th received the Guinness record for “The largest orchestra in the world” … “I can confirm that this attempt has been successful, congratulations, Guinness World Record as the largest orchestra, you are officially amazing, “said the official in charge of giving the verdict on a screen during a ceremony at the headquarters of” El Sistema “, as it is commonly known.

The ambassador of the Russian Federation in Venezuela, Sergey Mélik-Bagdarárov, expressed his greatest appreciation for this achievement: “For me as the Ambassador of Russia it is a great honor to attend this historical event, which previously belonged to Russia and now is its victory. , we share his victory ”.

This time the ensemble of Petare, with the theme Amalia, by Francisco Armando Agen uirre, under the direction of Andrés David Ascanio, made a show of its musical interpretation.
Also, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra performed Danzón number 2, by Arturo Márquez, also under the direction of Andrés David Ascanio.
In addition, there was a performance by the Alma Llanera Orchestra, which was present with La Fuga con pajarillo, by Aldemaro Romero.

The brand was reached by the System of Children’s and Youth Orchestras of Venezuela, a state program founded in 1975 by the late teacher of teachers José Antonio Abreu that has given thousands of children of popular classes access to music education, by displacing Russia that He had imposed it in 2019 with more than 8,000 musicians.
“It is a feat, not only for the System, but for the country,” said Eduardo Méndez, director of this program made up of one million members throughout the country, to applause.

For Venezuela this is a great triumph, since you have several Guinness awards, including natural beauties such as Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, or the so-called “Catatumbo Lightning”, the site with the highest number of electrical storms. of the planet. There is also the highest cable car in the world, the largest arepa and ham bread, typical Venezuelan foods, and even the five crowns in the Miss World are a record in this country. “El Sistema”, which has been replicated by dozens of countries, is the cradle of emblems such as Gustavo Dudamel, the musical director of the Paris Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who sent his congratulations through a video posted on social networks .

At the ceremony for the unveiling of the certificate of this new record, there was the Minister of Communication and Information, Freddy Ñáñez, who excitedly indicated that “music is the purest expression of the soul, it is capable of saying everything, of giving everything, thus You will know how difficult it is for me to try to speak in this temple where there are almost all the words, but it is not a speech that I come to give you today, it is something simpler, I come to sing the only word that is not left in any place, the a word that without having the 7 musical notes is also capable of producing symphonies in the soul of human beings ”.

From La Cuarta to the world, the National Afro-Caribbean Festival puts us in touch with our essence

Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de la Salsa” en Cuarta de Ponce from Puerto Rico the Island of Enchantment.

Ángel “Papote” Alvarado, who is also a composer, percussionist, vocal leader, and founder of Grupo Esencia, manages culture by fertilizing our Afro-Caribbean roots every year, making sure to bring the National Afro-Caribbean Festival to Ponce’s La Cuarta neighborhood, where he grew up. Usually, the event takes place in June of each year. However, this year -due to the global health emergency brought on by the pandemic that still threatens us- the iconic annual festival was held from November 19 to 21, 2021 at its usual venue.

On Friday the 19th November 2021 and coinciding with Puerto Rican Day, Angel “Papote” Alvarado kicked off the festivities to usher in the 22nd edition of the festival that each year makes the neighborhood the center of our Afro-descendant culture.

This year, the festival paid tribute to Willie Rosario, Ottoniel Vélez, Jesús Chu López and Héctor Pochy Gastón.

Bella Martínez — Ángel “Papote” Alvarado with Willie Rosario during the tribute to Míster Afinque

The musical offerings on Friday 19 included: Los Cimarrones, Robert Burgos and Descarga Zasón in addition to the stellar Míster Afinque. Willie Rosario’s orchestra has delighted with its unique compact format and has remained active for more than six decades under the direction of maestro Rosario himself, whom the salsa dancer keeps at the top of his preference within the environment that groups only connoisseurs.

The closing of the first night of the festival was preceded by the impeccable performance of the Willie Rosario Orchestra, a well-deserved tribute to the longest-serving bandleader in the salsa sound. Afterward, the author of the authorized biography of Mister Afinque -Robert Tellez- praised Maestro Rosario with some moving words.

It is worth mentioning that journalist Robert Tellez, who is also known as "the one who knows the most about salsa" traveled from Colombia to Barrio La Cuarta in Ponce to be part of the festival and specifically to accompany the artist who is the subject of his work "Willie Rosario, el Rey del Ritmo" during the tribute. — Willie Rosario with his biographer: Robert Téllez

Afterward, “Papote” Alvarado thanked Robert for his support to Afro-Caribbean cultural activities and presented him with a commemorative poster of the 22nd edition of the festival. The poster contains a photo by a photographer who stands out as one of the most committed cultural connoisseurs of the salsa scene: Conrado Pastrano.

It is worth mentioning that journalist Robert Tellez, who is also known as “the one who knows the most about salsa” traveled from Colombia to Ponce’s Barrio La Cuarta to be part of the festival and specifically to accompany the artist who is the subject of his work “Willie Rosario, el Rey del Ritmo” during the tribute. Maestro Rosario made us laugh when, in his usual serious and firm tone, he affirmed, microphone in hand, that he was grateful for the tribute, and at the same time said that he deserved it.

From La Cuarta to the world, the National Afro-Caribbean Festival puts us in touch with our essence

On Saturday 20, the following were presented: Boricua y de Mayagüez, Tribute to Héctor “Pochy” Gastón and Jesús López, Ángel “Papote” Alvarado and El Grupo Esencia, Roberto Roena’s Apollo Sound with Carlos Santos and Tito Cruz singing. On Sunday 21, the stage was decorated with Ausuba, Bambalué, Homenaje a Ottoniel Vélez, Guayacanes de San Antón and Abran Paso, with Pichíe Pérez and Rafy Santana singing.

This 2021 would have been the 23rd edition of the festival. However, the 2020 edition was canceled. In a stoic manner, the team in support of the persistence of the president and founder of the Comité Pro Nuestra Cultura – “Papote”- who has the unconditional support of William Rodríguez Thillet did not give up so that this 2021 edition would be achieved. Following all the rules that the COVID-19 protocol demands, the public was able to enjoy a luxury show.

Security and parking added comfort and convenience to the event. The festival featured, as usual, a display of artisans and kiosks, with the best of Puerto Rican fritanga.

For more than two decades, which are easy to say but are twenty-two struggles for the benefit of culture and its permanence, Angel “Papote” Alvarado has kept our Afro-Latin culture afloat, beyond the border of the southern pearl. Congratulations!

Lots of good energy, health, and success to this musician and cultural manager who carries on his shoulders an invaluable legacy. As for the rest, we look forward to the next edition of this unmissable festival that takes place every year. In the meantime, let’s follow the transcendental feat of his Grupo Esencia.