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Eukaris Figeroa

Latin American / Venezuela / Caracas

Eukaris Figeroa. I don’t imitate Celia Cruz

Five years ago, Eukaris Figueroa dared to initiate an investigation into Celia Cruz. A work came out of that work, La guarachera del mundo.

Eukaris Figeroa
Eukaris Figeroa

Figueroa is also in charge of directing and producing the play. It explores from Cruz’s beginnings, in 1950, until his death, in 2003; addressing his personal life and ailments.

Where did that idea of ​​presenting the life of the sauce boat come from?

When I decided to launch myself as a singer 10 years ago, I visited his grave in New York and asked his permission, not to take his place, but to perpetuate the salsa genre. Later, I began to investigate his life and this montage emerged, which I am very proud of. This is the second season and we hope it will be as well received as the first.

Was it easy to interpret a character as mediatic as she?

Eukaris Figeroa Photo
Eukaris Figeroa Photo

There is no imitation here. There is, yes, a lot of admiration. And the public will realize this in the monologue of the piece, where they will discover things that she wanted to do, but could not and that she did not see on a stage either. Impersonators always make her old and fat. And no. Celia was also a very beautiful young woman.

Doesn’t her nickname “The sexy salsa babe” pigeonhole her and distance her from the image of Celia?

The fact that I have made myself known like this does not imply that I do not have training and that I do not worry about studying. It was the way I got them to notice me, and I did it.

But behind these curves there are many hours of work. An orchestra of 14 musicians. This montage that I am passionate about does not separate me from my career as a salsa singer. Everything is complemented to offer the best to the public.

Eukaris Figeroa Flyer
Eukaris Figeroa Flyer

Meet the Carlos Rodríguez Quintet

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

There are many Latin music orchestras worldwide, and our duty is to know and recommend the best orchestras, whether they are known or new talents. On this occasion we had the opportunity to interview Carlos Rodríguez and his orchestra who were playing Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa and various mixes of Latin rhythms at the “Café Mi Cosa” located in City Market, Caracas, Venezuela.

Carlos Rodríguez Quintet
Carlos Rodríguez Quintet

At this meeting in the cafe, there was the Carlos Rodríguez Quintet, who make it up: Antonio Davicenzo (Drummer), Darwin Manzi (Trumpet), Pancho Santangelo (Piano), Cesar Bolivar Changu (Percussion) and lastly Carlos himself as soloist.

Carlos mentions that his orchestra has in its themes and/or songs a mixture of Venezuelan music with jazz, Afro-Venezuelan, begin bolero, merengue with a bolerito, among others. Currently for the time they demand the search for new rhythms and stay stuck with the current rhythms, seeking to satisfy and enjoy the public and something that impacts them.

In his first album that was based on Jazz, he made several combinations with various Latin rhythms, such as: Guaguacom, Afro, Bolero, Jazz with Latin rhythm, Jazz with Venezuelan rhythm and other fusions.

It started a long time ago, he tells us that he was with the “National Philharmonic Orchestra”, where he learned and gained experience in the area of ​​music. Of course he not only works with them but with other orchestras and/or artists.

Later he won an international award in Colombia as the best bassist, and his project is to be known as a soloist in his orchestra and not just another accompanist of another orchestra; however, he continues to work with a wide variety of musicians since that is the world of music, living from music not only as his profession but as his greatest passion.

The Carlos Rodríguez Quintet
The Carlos Rodríguez Quintet

His recommendation for new talents is that there is always a certainty in their musical career, discipline, gain and perseverance to progress and move forward since the road is hard and with obstacles, therefore one should not be discouraged and continue fighting and progressing to so be recognized.

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