Search Results for: salsa

Don Perignon Y La Puertorriqueña releases his new album ‘‘Classique et Savoureux’’

Today we welcome a friend of the house we have not spoken to in a long time, but who has a lot to tell. We are talking about bandleader and timbalero Pedro Luis Morales Cortijos, artistically known as Don Perignon, whom we have had the pleasure of interviewing after many years.

The artist and his orchestra La Puertorriqueña have released their latest album, ‘‘Classique et Savoureux,’’ which the Puerto Rican musician talks about in this conversation, among many other interesting topics regarding his personal life and career.

Don Perignon with a recognition — Don Perignon receiving recognition by the City of Los Angeles

A long-awaited reunion

When we were last in touch with Don Perignon, he was promoting his latest album, Demostrando A Tiempo, and, of course, much water has flowed under the bridge since then. After having released that album, the artist had many performances and quite emblematic events, such as the previous edition of El Crucero de La Salsa, which welcomed big names including El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, La Sonora Ponceña, and many more.

There were also some performances in Puerto Rico and travel to certain parts of the United States, such as Connecticut and New York. At the same time, they were already working on “Classique et Savoureux” and another production. With Christmas approaching, he and his team preferred to shove these projects aside for a while to leave center stage to Christmas music.

Arriving January, they finally got down to work to start the production without further delay. The premiere on digital platforms was held on January 23, and the physical release will be on February 13, but it does not end there, as they are also planning a second release on March 21, on the eve of Puerto Rico’s Día Nacional de La Zalsa. For the same date, vinyls are expected to be ready for collectors who want to buy them.

For the time of this interview, the music had already been recorded, and it was now the singers, including Alex D’Castro, Hermán Olivera, Josué Rosado, and Marcial Istúriz, who were in the studio recording their voices for the album.

Gilberto and Don Perignon — Gilberto Santa Rosa and Don Perignon

Why is the album called “Classique et Savoureux”?

With regard to the curious name he chose for his album, it was a whim of Don Perignon himself, who wanted to recognize and give thanks to the public of France and the French language, from which he adopted the name Don Perignon. The artist has been calling himself that for the last 40 years and has built his career on it. Although the name comes from a famous French champagne, he has never received any claims or lawsuits demanding that he stops using it, which is much appreciated.

In fact, he got to talk to the person responsible for introducing that champagne in a beverage company in Puerto Rico and understood that Don Perignon’s career and fame in no way damages the brand’s name and reputation.

Authorized biography

In addition to releasing his album, Don Perignon has also committed part of his time to engage in his authorized biography written by Puerto Rican author and International Salsa Magazine correspondent Bella Martínez. The book tells his story from his childhood to this day and includes the participation of the artist’s great friends and collaborators, including Andy Montañéz, Víctor Manuelle, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Some members of his family and other important people in his life also took part in the biography.

In each and every stage of his life described in the book, music plays a fundamental role given that, in his own words, it is an enjoyment that he has never been able to see as work.

It is titled “La Salsa No Puede Morir, así dice Perignon”, and is now available through platforms such as Amazon. In addition, the cover was designed by Félix Disla, the image is by Alina De Lourdes Luciano, the introduction is by Jaime Torres Torres, and the editorial care is by Robert Tellez M.

Activities outside of music

Let us remember that Don Perignon was working as a bailiff at the Puerto Rico Department of Justice until April 2023, when he finally retired and was able to dedicate himself in full to music because he finally had time for it. He also pointed out that, should his health permit him, he will be involved in many other collaborations and projects with other singers who want to enter the Puerto Rican market, and he is happy to be able help them.

Similarly, he assures us that he leaves it all in Our Lord Jesus Christ’s hands, who will let him know that he can achieve all this.

Cover of the book — Cover of ”La Salsa No Puede Morir, así dice Don Perignon”

Caoba Y Bambú, Tito Rivera’s first discographic production

This month’s material is dedicated to the great arranger and trumpeter Ernesto “Tito” Rivera, who year after year has established himself as one of the most respected artists in the Puerto Rican music scene, especially in salsa. Below, we will mention some of the most important facts of his career to date and what he is doing presently.

Important facts of Tito Rivera’s career

One of the greatest contributions the virtuoso Tito has made to music in general has been his pen and the help he has provided to famous orchestras of all time, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. One of these is Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, that to a large extent, is what fans remember today thanks to the Puerto Rican musician’s talented songwriting.

Tito Rivera playing the trumpet — Arranger and trumpeter Ernesto ”Tito” Rivera playing the trumpet

Another orchestra that was strongly influenced by Rivera was La Impacto Crea, which many remember as the group born of Hogares Crea and recorded for Vaya Records under the production of Bobby Valentín. Other groups we can mention on this long list include El Conjunto Borincuba de Justo Betancourt and Tony Yanz Y Su Orquesta Nacimiento.

Similarly, all this talent also gave him the opportunity to collaborate with many big stars, such as Marvin Santiago, who did not doubt to trust the trumpeter who lent his invaluable vision to a number of productions during those years.

And not only that because Tito also left his mark on several songs by Kim De Los Santos Y Su Orquesta, which achieved impressive success in countries such as Colombia and Venezuela.

Caoba y Bambú

Caoba Y Bambú is Tito’s first album as a leader, which represents a major challenge for the sonero’s career. Once again, he demonstrates all the experience he has acquired over decades through the work of other greats who trusted his judgment at the time. Now it is his turn to work on something of his own to which he could apply everything he has learned over the years.

Something very interesting to note about the album is that it brings to life great pieces such as “Musa Y Letra,” which was originally recorded by La Impacto Crea in 1981 for Vaya Records. What changes this time is that the song will be performed by Puerto Rican Jesús “Gumbi” Navedo and Venezuelan Marcial Isturiz. The soneros will also be accompanied by Danny Guzmán’s piano solo.

The fact that “Musa Y Letra” was chosen as the first preview of the album was not a random decision, since it shows that Tito seeks to build an immediate connection with the most classic salsa fans, which only a song as representative as this one can do.

Although this has been a much talked about piece, it is definitely not the only one worthy of mention. We should also talk about “Plaza Vacante,” which is one of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s best-known songs. However, this time, it will be performed by José Luis “Papa Chu” de Jesús, who will, without a doubt, do a magnificent job like the rest of the vocalists.

Another important addition to the album is “Vete Pa’alla,” which was previously recorded by Bobby Valentín for his album “Rompecabezas,” but on this occasion, it will be performed by the talented Davian Raúl.

Bandleader and conga player Tony Rosa tells us how he built his career

The great percussionist, conga player, and six-time Grammy winner Tony Rosa has honored us with his presence for this February edition, which is full of many interesting things despite being a very short month.

Like so many other artists of this kind, he started very young in this world. Although his musical roots were not so Latin or folkloric, as is common, he ended up falling in love with one of his great passions today: Latin music.

Tony Rosa with his Grammy — Tony Rosa as part of the Latin Grammy Arturo O’Farrill & The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra won

Tony’s beginnings in music

Tony started playing the tumbadora at the age of just 10 in New York, his native city, but when he turned 12, he moved to Los Angeles, California, which is where his formal career as a musician began. It was in Los Angeles that he learned to play percussion, more specifically the conga, in the streets of this new city that welcomed him and his family.

One interesting thing about this is that absolutely everything he knows about instruments he learned by himself, indicating that he did not attend any institution that provided formal training in music. At that time, as a 15-year-old boy, he was already playing for different orchestras and touring with them.

Rock phase

Before becoming integrally involved with salsa, Tony played with some rock bands such as Chicanos. In fact, rock is a genre he still likes very much, and several of his favorite groups are rock bands such as Queen and Santana. However, that phase did not last for ever, and it was not long before, at the age of 16 or 17, he played with orchestras such as Azuquita Y Su Melao.

In 1997, he moved back to his native New York, where he started collaborating with Conjunto Libre and other groups of salsa and Latin jazz, a genre that was also making him curious.

Tony and Gilberto — Tony Rosa and ”The Salsa Gentleman” Gilberto Santa Rosa

Time with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and Arturo O’Farrill

In 2008, while playing with Manny Oquendo, Tony met orchestra leader, composer, and pianist Arturo O’Farrill, who, after witnessing the great talent he had, asked whether he would be interested in joining his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and he said yes. In total, he spent about nine years playing with O’Farrill and it was over five years ago. In fact, when asked if he knew why the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra would no longer be playing at Birdland, he said he knew absolutely nothing about it.

After that, the artist found the right time to create his own quintet which he named Tony Rosa’s Afrojazz and with which he has songs such as “Mambo Mongo,” “Nothing Personal,” “Alfie’s Theme,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “Rica Mulata.”

Tony, Eddie, and Adan — Tony Rosa, legendary pianist Eddie Palmieri, and producer and arranger Adan Pérez

However, he assures us that his affection for O’Farrill and the orchestra remains intact, and they even played together again in a tribute to Andy González at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. He is also grateful for all the experience he gained there, otherwise he would not have the project he currently manages.

Projects apart from Tony Rosa’s Afrojazz

In addition to his work he does with his Latin jazz quintet, Tony is also recording with another musical group called Los Amigos, with which he recently released an album.

And about tours and performances at arenas and well-known venues, he says he does not know yet what he will be doing in the coming months. However, he expects things to start moving as the year progresses.