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Search Results for: salsa in venezuela

The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa project

The rumba night is dressed as a woman with the arrival of Las 4 Damas de la Salsa de Venezuela, a project of musicalizers at parties and events to exalt one of the Afro-Caribbean rhythms that most identifies Latin culture: SALSA.

The 4 ladies of Venezuelan Salsa debuted in May 2018, on the initiative of Sol Graffe after feeling that there was no female and group movement as DJane’s or musicalizadoras.

When musicalizing becomes, not a job but a passion, the commitment grows, and so these D’jane’s arrive presenting a different proposal giving prominence to females, with the aim of incorporating into the salsa market 4 women willing to permeate in a movement where the male presence predominates.

Professional and tasteful, lovers of this genre that unites us in one spirit: SALSA, to bring a musical selection, energy and good vibes to encourage salsa dancers and dancers of Venezuela and beyond its borders.

4 Personalities Conjugated in one Rhythm

DJane. Sol Graffe: Born in Caracas, a salsa dancer at heart, she became a radio promoter, TV producer and event producer under her slogan “Sol 100% Salsa” with more than 25 years of experience in the salsa industry.

DJane. Rocío Blanco: Born in Maracay edo. Aragua, lawyer, manager of the Posada Turística África and salsera by birth, dedicated to the musicalization five years ago being the only lady of the aragüeña entity baptized “La Consentida de la Salsa”.

DJane.  Zaire Plater: “La del Melao Salsero”, born in Caracas, economist by profession, salsera by conviction; dedicated to the musicalization of salsa for five years, leads the family project called “El Arepazo Salsero Plater”, where they gather a large group of dancers and salsa lovers to dance and share eating some typical and delicious arepas.

DJane. Zulay Millán: Caraqueña, lives between two passions: Radio and Salsa. She is a teacher by profession and a salsa dancer by heart. Announcer, certificate #55.721, voice over, radio producer, with experience in events and TV production, radio host for 25 years and counting, presenter/entertainer, composer and article writer, which explains her slogan “Soy Salsa y Más” (I am Salsa and More).

The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa have managed to position themselves with this interesting project in the salsa environment, whose protagonism brings a touch of elegance and distinction when they go on stage uniformed and organized, supporting each other, where camaraderie and good vibes are noted, as well as the demonstration of commitment and discipline setting a precedent, opening the way for alternatives to enrich the forms of dissemination of the salsa genre.

A solid project, which has the acceptance of producers and especially the dancers, who have become an important support for the permanence of Las 4 Damas de la Salsa in the collective memory and the salsa scene.

Sol, Zaire, Rocio and Zulay.

Last March 12, 2022 they were awarded as best musical project 2021 – 2022 event held at Cerro del Avila V.I.P Disco in Caracas, this activity was conducted and sponsored by Libia Ascanio and Edgar Mendoza.

They are The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4damasdelasalsadura

Frederlyn Mayora returns to Venezuela to sing Salsa Romántica to the dancing public.

Last Friday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m., a concert was presented at the Juana Sujo Hall of the Casa del Artista, in Quebrada Honda, Caracas. Tickets are already on sale at popular prices.

After several years out of the country, Venezuelan singer Frederlyn Mayora returns to Venezuela to relaunch his musical career and sing Salsa Romántica to Venezuelan dancers and music lovers.

Mayora, who has been part of the orchestras of Tony Vega, Maelo Ruiz, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Luisito Carrion and Tito Nieves, among others, arrives in the country with a single called “Viernes Romantico” that promises to be a hit in a short time.

“I want everyone to know what I am doing and what I come to do in Venezuela”, said the singer who now has his own orchestra.

The singer will be in Venezuela until the end of his musical production loaded with romantic Salsa, ballads and merengues.

On April 1 and 2, Mayora offered a couple of concerts called “After Party de los Hermanos Primera”, that is to say, he performed in a well-known venue of the CCCT as soon as the presentation of the renowned singers Servando and Florentino was over, and it was a full house.

On Friday, April 8, at 4:00 pm, he will offer a press conference at the Doris Wells Hall of the Casa del Artista in order to announce in detail the entire agenda that he will fulfill on Venezuelan soil.

On Friday, April 22, he offered a concert at the Juana Sujo Hall of the Casa del Artista, located on Amador Bendayán Boulevard, Quebrada Honda, Caracas.

The event was scheduled for 7:00 pm. The occasion will be propitious to record a video click.

All Frederlyn Mayora’s events and presentations are in charge of her manager, Humberto Gonzalez, president of Producciones Salsayer.

A little bit of history

Frederlyn Alejandro Mayora Martínez, was born on July 27, 1982, in the populous Sucre Parish, west of Caracas, Venezuela.

He is a musician, singer and percussionist. At the age of 9 he began his musical studies, especially in percussion. He belonged to the estudiantina Héctor Pacheco and spent several years at the Bigott Foundation, where he received master classes with Professor Rodolfo González.

When Mayora turned 15 years old, he decided to focus his musical career as a singer and it is when the producer Humberto González, currently director of the Salsayer Orchestra, took him to sing in several salsa groups in Venezuela, among them, “Herencia”, “Neo Latino” and “El Combo Antillano”, among others.

In 2003 he moved to Spain, specifically to Galicia. There he became part of the orchestras “Panama”, “Filadelfia” and “Orquesta TV”, among others. His artistic commitments reached the beautiful city of Santander, located in the North of Spain, where he performed ballads, salsa and merengue.

In addition to the aforementioned orchestras, Frederlyn Mayora has been the lead voice in groups such as “Ekilibrio”, “La Junior”, “Mandinga Star Band”, “Puma Band”, “Patatín Orquesta” and the “Máquina de la Salsa” and has accompanied in the chorus, since 2002 to date, renowned singers such as “Maelo” Ruiz, José Alberto “El Canario”, Tony Vegas, Luisito Carrión and Charlie Aponte, former member of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

Balance of the work carried out at the level of Social Media in Venezuela.

Publication of the Briefing

Noti-America (01-04-2022) Mexico

La Patilla (El Farandi) (02-04-2022) Venezuela

https://www.elfarandi.com/2022/03/30/briefing-vuelve-a-venezuela/

Notimundo (03-04-2022)

Press Conference

Day: Friday, April 8, 2022

Place: Doris Wells Hall of the Casa del Artista.

Attended by representatives from 10 media outlets and Instagram accounts. Examples: Venevisión, Portal La Patilla, Rumbas Venezuela, Intervez, Diario La Calle, Noticiero Digital, Analítica, El Universal, Tendencia Internacional and Radio Tiuna, among others.

Press releases published in digital media

Analitica.com (11-04-2022) Venezuela

https://www.analitica.com/emprendimiento/noti-tips/de-vuelta-al-barrio-toma-caracas-de-la-mano-del-salsero-frederlyn-mayora/

Tendencia Internacional (11-04-2022) Venezuela

https://www.tendenciainternacional.com/2022/04/11/de-vuelta-al-barrio-toma-caracas-de-la-mano-del-cantante-salsero-frederlyn-mayora/

Contraste Noticias Newspaper (12-04-2022) Venezuela

https://www.diariocontraste.com/2022/04/de-vuelta-al-barrio-toma-caracas-de-la-mano-del-salsero-frederlyn-mayora/

Vida y Arte (14-04-2022) Venezuela

http://www.vidayarte.com/farandula/cantante-salsero-frederlyn-mayora-esta-de-vuelta-al-barrio

Intervez (14-04-2022) Venezuela

Business and Destinations (15-04-2022) Venezuela

Cantante salsero Frederlyn Mayora regresa a Venezuela con “De vuelta al barrio”

La Calle Newspaper (17-04-2022) Venezuela

Mentions on Instagram accounts

@TendenciaInternalcional

@caracas_view

@augustofelibertt (Dj)

TV Programs, Portals and Radio

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Venevisión, Channel 4. Presentation in the program “Sábado Sensacional” on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Globovision, Channel 33. Interview

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Portal La Patilla. Interview. Broadcasted on April 20, 2022

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Program “Asi Suena”, Channel 8, with Rubén Jiménez. Broadcasted on Sunday 24-04-2022

Radio program 24-04-2022

“Ni tan Bravo”, with Isnardo Bravo. FM Center La Romántica 88.9 FM

This is a balance of the presence he has had in the media.

Wednesday, April 27, at 8:00 am, he was on Televen, Channel 10, in the program “Con lo actual”.

Sources

Salsayer Press Director: Yira Yoyotte, journalist. 0424-105-61-66. E-mail: [email protected]

Facebook: Frederlyn Mayora

Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

Latin America / Colombia /Cali

Located in Cali, Colombia, the artistic company “Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo” has been in business for 12 years. They are dedicated to teaching, presenting, and producing dance shows, boasting a distinguished cast of artists, instructors, and professional dancers in all styles.

Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

The company’s services offer a wide variety of high-quality options, ranging from personalized dance classes to shows featuring over 80 artists on stage.

Photo 1: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 1: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

Shows and Performances

Among the most captivating “Salsa and Latin” shows are:

Salsa Viva and Latin Dance: This show includes dances such as Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Boogaloo, Bolero, Pachanga, Bachata, and Merengue.

“The Majesty of Salsa vs. The Majesty of Tango”:

Here, you can witness the fusion of the joy, energy, and acrobatics of Salsa with the passion and elegance of Tango.

Photo 2: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 2: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

Colombia Dances: Here, traditional and joyful Colombian folk dances come together with a fusion of Salsa and Latin dances. You can appreciate the beautiful and colorful typical costumes that bring to life the diverse cultures and dances of Colombia’s regions, taking you on a journey through dances such as cumbia, bambuco, sanjuanero, mapalé, currulao, and others.

Children’s Salsa: This show features children in the learning process who have grown into professional dancers, showcasing their trajectory and international recognition.

Photo 3: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 3: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

It’s worth mentioning that the venue doesn’t just offer Salsa and Latin dances; it also features Tango, Milonga, and Arabic dance shows, Samba, Capoeira, Spanish dances (Pasodoble, Sevillanas, Flamenco Rumba, and a banderilla show), Colombian dances (Cumbia, Bambuco, Sanjuanero, Mapalé, Currulao, among others), and urban shows (Hip Hop, showcasing different styles such as breakdancing, sexy style, popping, locking, dancehall, kromp, and others).

The Dance School offers the opportunity to learn one or more rhythms. You can even combine Salsa and Latin dance classes, Zumba Fitness, Tango, or any other rhythm you desire, whether with a group of friends, family, children of all ages, and there’s even a special program for babies where parents and their little ones share the dance experience and learn the baby’s first steps.

Zumba Fitness and Zumba Toning: This is a fun way to practice Latin rhythms, exercise to stay in shape, learn, and have fun. The team is trained and certified to lead both Zumba classes.

  • Crazy Hour
  • Children’s Entertainment
  • Quinceañera and Wedding Preparations
  • Flash Mob
Photo 4: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 4: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

The Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo Artistic Company is part of the main cast of the Ensálsate Show. They are World Tango Champions, International Champions in choreographic groups, World Salsa Runners-Up, and finalists on the Caracol Television reality show LA PISTA. They have delighted thousands of spectators in Colombia and around the world with performances on seven international cruise ships and tours in countries such as Panama, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao, Aruba, Korea, Japan, Turkey, Dubai, Cyprus, France, Italy, and Spain.

  • Crazy Hour
  • Children’s Entertainment
  • Quinceañera and Wedding Preparations

Flash Mob Dance schools in Colombia have two specially equipped locations in San Fernando and Ciudad Jardín, with programs for children, youth, adults, foreigners, business groups, family groups, home classes and summer courses.

Photo 5: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 5: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

Productions, Works, and Shows

  • “Dance Christmas” Show (2016)
  • “America Dances…Dancing Without Borders” Show (2016)
  • 2nd Comfenalco Valle de la Gente Salsa Encounter (2016)
  • “Colombia Dances” Show (2016)
  • Comfenalco Valle de la Gente International Tango Festival (2014 and 2015)
  • 1st Comfenalco Valle de la Gente Salsa Encounter (2015)
  • “Dances of the World” Show (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015)
  • “Salsa Viva & Latin Dance” Show (2014)
  • “Tango Vivo – Tango Forever” Show (2013, 2014, and 2015) 2015)
  • Show “Her Majesty Salsa vs. Her Majesty Tango” (2014)
  • Show “Oriental Magic” (2015)
  • Show “Merry Christmas” (2014 and 2015).
  • Show “Merry Christmas” (2014 and 2015).
Photo 6: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo
Photo 6: Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo

Awards and Recognitions

  • World Salsa Championship Runners-Up, Ensemble Category – Santiago de Cali (2016)
  • World Salsa Championship Champions, Cabaret Couples Category – Santiago de Cali (2016)
  • Fourth Place – World Salsa Championship, Ensemble Category – Santiago de Cali (2016)
  • Champions, Cabaret Salsa Team – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Runners-Up, Salsa Team (No Acrobatic) – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Runners-Up, Tango Show Dance – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Champions, Amateur Salsa Couples – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Champions, Cabaret Salsa Couples – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Champions, Stage Tango – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Third Place, Stage Tango – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Professional Solo Champions – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • Professional Same Gender Couple Runners-Up – 7th Ecuador Salsa Congress (2016)
  • International Salsa Champions and Runners-Up at the II Pan American Dance Championship
  • Sports: III Open “Al Ritmo del Cielo” – Santiago de Cali (2016)
  • World Salsa Runners-Up – Santiago de Cali (2014)
  • World Salsa Runners-Up – Quito (2013)
  • World Tango Champions – World Tango Championship (2012)
  • International Choreographic Group Champions (2011)
  • Fourth Place in the World Tango Championship at the Trex Games Busan, Korea (2008)
  • Don Juan del Corral Order of Merit – Gold Category – Mayor’s Office of Medellín (2006). For all these details, we recommend visiting, Participate, learn, and enjoy the services offered by this successful company.
Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo shows
Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo shows

If you would like more information, you can contact them at:

  • Web: http://www.tangovivoysalsaviva.com/quienes-somos.php
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salsavivatangovivo
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/salsavtangov
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salsavivatangovivo/
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/salsavivatangovivo
Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo social media
Salsa Viva & Tango Vivo social media

Houston Salsa Congress 2017

North America /  USA / Texas

In 2000, Houston Salsa Dancers, Inc. hosted the first Congress of its kind in the City of Houston. Today, the Houston Salsa Congress continues to highlight the beauty, creativity, and culture of Latin dance and music with our featured performing artists and musical artists.

Houston Salsa Congres 2017
Houston Salsa Congres 2017

HOUSTON SALSA CONGRESS 2017

Houston Salsa Dancers, Inc. is officially recognized as a nonprofit corporation who hosts the LARGEST Salsa Socials in Houston every month raising funds for the annual HSD, Inc. Scholarship Program. Through this program, HSD has helped dozens of students from the Houston area by awarding a cumulative total of over $25,000 in scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded annually at the LARGEST Salsa event in the South, the Houston Salsa Congress, every Martin Luther King, Jr weekend.

The Houston Salsa Congress has become a must-attend event for many dancers and performers. Being the first non-profit Congress, the HSD Board Members are always innovating and changing how Congresses are managed setting the bar high for other events to follow the remainder of the year. The Congress consist of performances by only the best in Salsa and other dances, weekend workshops to help dancers improve their skills, and some of the best social dancing in the world!

Houston Salsa Congress 2017
Houston Salsa Congress 2017

Another way HSD is stepping above the rest is through its event called “Bailando Hacia La Universidad (“Dancing Your Way to College”)” which was designed to educate High School students on attending college and college admission. (We bring in guests speakers and end it with a special performance… Example agenda: http://www.houstonsalsacongress.com/schedule_collegeday.php).

Houston Salsa Dancers, Inc. also hosts the “SalsaDURA Saturday” social every 1st Saturday every month. SalsaDURA is also called the mini-Congress of the South attracting dancers and performers from all around the world. This monthly event helps fund the Scholarship fund along with the Houston Salsa Congress event.

BANDS

JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO”

José Alberto Justiniano (born December 22, 1958 in Villa Consuelo district, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), better known by his stage name José Alberto “El Canario” is a Dominican salsa singer. José Alberto moved to Puerto Rico with his family at the age of 7, and inspired by Latin music went on to polish his singing at Las Antillas Military Academy. He relocated to New York in the early 1970s and sang with several orchestras. He received international attention as the bandleader of Tipica 73 in October 1977.

José Alberto started his own band in 1983, and became a major Latin star after the release of his 1984 debut Noches Calientes. His 1991 album Dance With Me, which established a new style of salsa called salsa romántica. He has sung hit songs such as “Sueño Contigo” His voice was widely adored by his fans, and his exceptional whistling abilities (being able to improvise as if he was playing a traverse flute) led them to give him the nickname El Canario (The Canary).

JOSÉ ALBERTO "EL CANARIO"
JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO”

El Canario has enjoyed success in the United States and Europe, but especially throughout Latin America, including in his native Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador. El Canario in 1999 also was part of the biggest Latin American festival in Australian history at The Bacardi Darling Harbor Latin American Festival in Sydney, as supporting act for salsa performer Celia Cruz with over 22,000 people in attendance.

On 24 May 2008, José Alberto celebrated 30 years in the music industry at the United Palace Theater in New York City. Among the several special guests were Oscar D’León, Ismael Miranda, Raulín Rosendo, Joe Arroyo, and Latin music mogul Ralph Mercado.

JOSÉ ALBERTO "EL CANARIO"
JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO”

Bobby Valentín & His Orchestra

Valentín (birth name: Roberto Valentin) was born in June 9, 194, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. He was taught by his father to play the guitar at a young age. When his mother died in 1947, he went to live with his older sister and was raised in the town of Coamo where he received his primary education and studied music. When he was 11 years old, he participated in a local talent contest with a trio that he had formed.

He played the guitar and sang for the trio and they won the first place prize. One of his teachers suggested that he attend the Jose I. Quinton Academy of Music, which he did. It was there that he learned to play the trumpet.

Valentin en concierto
Valentin en concierto

In 1956, Valentín moved with his family to New York City where he attended George Washington High School and continued to take music lessons. In 1958, he went to play for Joe Quijano but, shortly after, he played in the band of Willie Rosario, who was from the same neighborhood.

MUSICAL CAREER

In 1963, Valentín joined Tito Rodriguez (after not being hired by Tito in a recording session because of his age, he was given a chance and was added to his regular band) and traveled twice with Tito’s orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and at times for Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Willie Rosario, and Ray Barretto. In 1965, he formed his own band and was signed by the Fania Record Label. He recorded “El Mensajero” (The Messenger) and “Young Man With a Horn”. He held his first concert in Puerto Rico during that period of time.

In 1975, Valentín left Fania and founded his own record label “Bronco Records” and released the recordings of “Va a la Carcel” Vol 1 and Vol 2, recorded “live” at “El Oso Blanco”, Puerto Rico’s oldest state penitentiary. At the time, Marvin Santiago was the singer on Valentín’s band; his biggest hit with Valentín was “Soy Boricua”, an ode to Puerto Rican nationality that has since become a patriotic song for the pro-independence faction of the island.

In 1978, salsa singer Cano Estremera made his singing debut with Valentín’s orchestra and recorded various major hits for the band, particularly the Roberto Angleró song “La boda de ella” and “Manuel García”. During the years Valentín has been featured in recordings (and occasional live appearances) by Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano and Celia Cruz. He also provided backdrop for the Billyván Santiago (Marvin’s youngest brother) song “Mata la cucaracha”, a sleeper hit in Puerto Rico during the 2002 Christmas season.

Houston Salsa Congress 2017. TICKETS
Full Event Pass: $280.00 (USD)
Full Event Pass + VIP Upgrade: $310.00 (USD)
Full Event Pass + VIP Upgrade: $310.00 (USD)
Night Pass (ALL NIGHTS): $110.00 (USD)
Night Pass + VIP Upgrade (ALL NIGHTS): $165.00 (USD)
Night Pass (THURSDAY ONLY): $35.00 (USD)
Night Pass (FRIDAY ONLY): $35.00 (USD)
Night Pass (SATURDAY ONLY): $35.00 (USD)
Night Pass (SUNDAY ONLY): $35.00 (USD)
www.houstonsalsacongress.com
Houston Salsa Congres 2017 FLYER
Houston Salsa Congres 2017 FLYER

Víctor Cuica “The Eternal Breath of Latin Jazz and Venezuelan Identity “

The legacy of a visionary who fused the saxophone with the essence of the Caribbean and national cinema.

Víctor Cuica was more than just a musician; he was a bridge between two worlds. Born on April 19, 1949, in the iconic Caracas neighborhood of La Pastora, Cuica established himself as a preeminent saxophonist and actor, earning global acclaim for his innovative fusion of Jazz with Afro-Caribbean roots.

His presence defined a golden era in Venezuelan culture, as he shared the stage with legends such as Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Porfi Jiménez, and Gerry Weil.

Victor Cuica “The Eternal Breath of Latin Jazz and Venezuelan Identity”

Victor Cuica “The Eternal Breath of Latin Jazz and Venezuelan Identity”

Training and First Steps: The Birth of a Style

The journey of this virtuoso—master of the tenor and soprano saxophone as well as the flute—began in 1963 at the Military Music School of La Victoria. His time in the Venezuelan Navy band served as the catalyst for his love of Jazz, leading him to deepen his knowledge of flute, harmony, and composition at the “José Ángel Lamas” Higher School of Music.

His professional career took off in Chucho Sanoja’s orchestra. Shortly thereafter, he joined Oscar D’León’s ensemble. It was actually Cuica who suggested the name “Dimensión Latina” to replace the group’s former name, “Oscar y sus Estrellas,” thereby christening what would become the most iconic salsa orchestra in Venezuelan history.

Victor Cuica in concert held on August 22, 2011 in Juan Pedro Lopez Square in Caracas

Victor Cuica in concert held on August 22, 2011 in Juan Pedro Lopez Square in Caracas

Latin Jazz: From the Silver Screen to International Stages

By the late 1970s, Cuica expanded his horizons into the “seventh art.” In 1978, he composed and performed the soundtrack for “The Sea of Lost Time” (El Mar del Tiempo Perdido), based on the short story by Gabriel García Márquez. A year later, he solidified his own group, “Víctor Cuica y su Jazz Latino,” debuting to resounding success at the Alcázar Theater in Caracas and gaining international momentum in Costa Rica.

Throughout the 1980s, critics hailed him as the most important innovator of jazz fusion in the region. His talent brought him to historic venues:

  • 1981: He triumphed at the “Memphis in May” festival in Tennessee.
  • 1982: He performed at the prestigious “Domicile” club in Munich, Germany.
  • 1985: He reached a milestone as the leader of the first Venezuelan group invited to the Montreal International Jazz Festival, where he shared the limelight with the legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton.

Artistic Maturity and Recognition

In the 1990s, his music reached new academic heights when Maestro Eduardo Marturet composed the work “Music for Six and Sax” specifically for him. It premiered with the Sinfonietta Caracas and represented Venezuela at the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville.

Víctor Cuica was not just a musician; he was a bridge between two worlds. Photograph at Juan Sebastian Bar

Víctor Cuica was not just a musician; he was a bridge between two worlds. Photograph at Juan Sebastian Bar

His discography, which includes gems such as Que sea para siempre (1984), Noctámbulo (1993), Just Friends (1998), and Los Locos de Caracas (1999), stands as a testament to his versatility. In 1995, the Venezuelan Artist’s Guild (Casa del Artista) honored him as Musician of the Year.

A Farewell with the Flavor of the Streets and Bohemia

Víctor Cuica passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the age of 71 due to a heart attack. His departure left a void in the film industry, where he starred in memorable films such as Santera (for which he also composed the award-winning soundtrack in 1997), and in the bohemian nights of Caracas, where his saxophone was often the soul of the evening.

A Tribute from His Peers

Multi-percussionist José Hidalgo, known as “El Tokun Mayor,” describes Cuica with words that summarize his essence:

“Víctor Cuica is the finest example of an artist intimately linked to his daily reality and cultural origins, without ever losing sight of the cosmopolitan and universal nature of his musical message. Cuica is the expression of genuine jazz performed with the simplicity of the streets.

Víctor is as authentic in his personal character as he is as an artist. This virtue was his companion as he traveled across numerous international stages, spanning the worlds of music, film, theater, and opera always with the transcendence of a bohemian, simple, and bold minstrel.

Cuica never ceases to surprise us, whether through his voice or the sound of his saxophone an instrument that, with his habitual ingenuity, he turned into a centerpiece of performance through his creativity and versatility.

His talent has graced stages across Europe and the Americas. His work projects far beyond the commercial mainstream and, today, leaves us with a brilliant musical improvisation that is truly beyond compare.”

DJ Augusto Felibertt with the one and only virtuoso Víctor Cuica

DJ Augusto Felibertt with the one and only virtuoso Víctor Cuica

Today, the name Víctor Cuica remains etched in history as the man who gave Jazz a Caribbean color and gave the Venezuelan saxophone a voice of its own.

Victor Cuica and his Latin Jazz, March 23, 1980 at the Cantv Theater in Caracas

Victor Cuica and his Latin Jazz, March 23, 1980 at the Cantv Theater in Caracas

Also Read: Oscar Rojas Oscar Rojas has 54 years of musical career full of passion, rhythm and flavor

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.