Search Results for: salsa in venezuela

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 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!

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.

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.

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)

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

La Nota Band showcases the best of Venezuelan talent

We are proud to introduce the talented Venezuelans Rebeca Rodríguez and Armando Montiel, who are members of the group La Nota Band, which we will talk about in the following lines.

After thanking us and clarifying that they are both partners and share the direction of the band, they proceeded to tell us a bit about their origins, professions, band, and current careers.

Rebeca and Armando in 2018 — Rebeca Rodriguez and Armando Montiel at the Latin Grammys 2018

Rebeca and Armando’s beginnings in music

Armando began his story by telling us that, in his case, he has always loved music and enjoyed listening to it live. In his native city of Maracaibo, there were many street concerts featuring national and international artists, which sparked his interest in joining his school’s marching band between the third and fourth grade. This, in turn, led him to participate in some intercollegiate gaita festivals, which are very popular in many cities of the South American country.

This love for music took shape when the young man moved to Caracas and began his percussion lessons to finally have more formal training in this art. However, his parents made him promise to study a “real” career and then do whatever he wished for. He did so and studied civil engineering at Nueva Esparta University, but he has never practiced it, as music has always been his profession.

Rebeca also loved music, and from an early age, was always reciting poems, learning songs, and singing them at full blast. Then, as she grew up, she slowly built her career and made decisions based on that goal. Just as Armando, she participated in her school’s gaita festivals and took singing and dancing lessons, which led her to join bands in Caracas and become a backup singer for great artists.

Like Armando, she also studied a university degree, but in her case it was social communication at Andrés Bello Catholic University. She does not practice it either, although she does use her knowledge in favor of her artistic career.

Armando playing live — Venezuelan percussionist Armando Montiel playing live

Groups prior to La Nota Band

Armando said with a laugh that he could not mention all the bands and artists he has worked with because there are too many, but the most important ones were Ricardo Montaner, Chino y Nacho, Víctor Muñoz, Elvis Crespo, Guaco, Treo, Mermelada Bunch, and a few others.

Meanwhile, Rebeca pointed out that they met playing for Son Bubalú in Caracas and continued to share experiences in a certain way. While Armando was Chino y Nacho’s percussionist, Rebeca was hired as their backup singer, so they continued to live together and grow as artists in the same environments.

Their professional relationship developed at such a level that they ended up moving to the United States together in 2014 to take advantage of some work opportunities that arose. Among the artists they were able to play with in the United States are Gloria Estefan, Wisin y Yandel, Daddy Yankee, Luis Enrique, José Alberto “El Canario,” and many more.

Already in the year 2016, both realized that they loved collaborating with music greats, but also wanted to start their own business so they would not have to rely on what others wanted for them. That is when La Nota Band was born, with support from family and friends who were willing to help them on this new path.

Rebeca and Yandel — Puerto Rican singer Yandel and Rebeca Rodriguez at the Premios Lo Nuestro gala

The beginning of La Nota Band

In addition to being on their own, another thing Rebeca and Armando wanted to do was to offer employment to other musicians who were in the same situation as them years ago. This was the case of Armando’s twin brother, who was about to go to the United States and also devoted himself to music on percussion. Then, he bought a drum set so he could become the band’s drummer and his brother could take his place as a percussionist.

From the beginning, they have always focused on pleasing both Anglo-Saxon and Latin audiences, so they have been working to fill their repertoire with songs in both English and Spanish in order to enliven events where the two cultures come together.

What they have learned from the artists they have worked with

Of all the great artists Rebeca and Armando have been fortunate enough to work with, there are a number of things they have learned and applied to their own careers. One of these was the use of playback, as it is an extremely common and necessary resource in modern music. There are also other elements used to increase the sound quality of their performances.

Similarly, the discipline, professionalism, and perseverance necessary to manage this business are things they have seen in other artists and that have helped them get the place they want in the industry, which they also expect to achieve.

The Venezuelan musicians always keep their eyes and ears open to capture what can work for them and apply it to their own project.

La Nota Band and Chino y Nacho — Part of La Nota Band with Chino y Nacho at the Premios Lo Nuestro gala 2016

Dreams fulfilled

Among the many dreams come true thanks to music, Rebeca and Armando appreciate being able to travel regularly to many countries, even if their professional activities prevent them from sightseeing as they would like. This is something they would not have accomplished with other kinds of work, which they are enormously grateful for.

In addition to that, they are pleased to have been able to perform on big and famous stages such as Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center, and Madison Square Garden in New York, something they never would have thought possible in their early years in Venezuela.

And last but not least, their talent and hard work have also led them to perform in important award ceremonies such as the Latin Grammys, Premios Juventud, and Premios Lo Nuestro.

Venezuela. Gran Sabana Canaima National Park

Latin America / Venezuela / Bolivar

“Venezuela is one of the countries located in South America, facing the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, bordered to the South by Brazil, to the West by Colombia, and to the East by Guyana:

It is known for being one of the countries with a wide variety of climates, but primarily tropical. It boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and therefore offers a wide range of tourist attractions. Among these, we can mention the Guayana Region, home to the ‘Gran Sabana,’ one of the most exotic and incredible places with a very pleasant tropical climate.

Venezuela. Gran Sabana Canaima National Park

It’s also the oldest, dating back to the Precambrian era, where we can appreciate the Tepuis – large mountains or plateaus that were eroded by rainfall. There’s also a great variety of waterfalls, rivers, and lagoons. One of the most popular tourist spots in the region is ‘Canaima National Park,’ where we can admire its incredible lagoon with various falls or waterfalls, and a more or less close view of several Tepuis.”

“Canaima National Park is one of the most visited and extensive places in the Gran Sabana. It’s a vast natural reserve featuring unique and special abrupt landforms found nowhere else in the world. The Tepuis that can be observed have vertical walls and almost flat summits. One of the most well-known is ‘Mount Roraima,’ famous for being the highest and easiest to climb in the entire park, and ‘Auyan-Tepui,’ which is the most visited as it is home to the world’s highest waterfall, known as ‘Angel Falls.'”

Salsa Pal Bailador

Europa /

Salsa Pal Bailador. The success of a passionate venture that goes against commercial trends

Salsa Pal Bailador - Anniversary — Salsa Pal Bailador – Anniversary

By Roberto “Vene Barral”

Last Saturday, May 6, the Garufa concert hall in A Coruña, a beautiful city in Galicia, central Spain, hosted the 5th Anniversary of Salsa pal Bailador. This event, created with the humble goal of offering a space to enjoy only quality salsa, has now become one of the most successful social events in Spain.

On the surface, the idea seems simple: organize a monthly event that brings together and gives free rein to all those who are passionate and nostalgic for pure, unadulterated salsa. But we must remember that we live in a consumer society that constantly tells us what we “have” to listen to, what fashions and styles are in and out. This is where SpB took a bold stand, going against what DJs and events were promoting at the time.

SpB emerged when kizomba, an African rhythm from Cape Verde, was spreading from neighboring Portugal into Spain. Along with the already established bachata, these were the trendy styles played at every social event that wanted to be a hit with audiences. But SpB’s proposal was even more daring. Not only did it focus exclusively on the most classic, least commercial, and least-known salsa, but it also had the audacity to schedule the event on a difficult day—Sunday—and at an even more challenging time: in the evening, starting at 8 p.m.

Perhaps in other parts of the world, organizing such an event would guarantee success with the public. But here, for the reasons already explained, it was a real challenge that was only expected to work because of the sheer tenacity that comes from having a passion for what you do.

So who are the impulsive salsa enthusiasts behind the success of Salsa pal Bailador?

DJs - Salsa Pal Bailador — DJs – Salsa Pal Bailador

For one, there’s one of the organizers of these sessions, Martín Fernández, an Argentine who has lived in Galicia for decades. He turned salsa and this event into his dream and his challenge, striving not only to make each edition better than the last but also to bring in dancers, DJs, and collaborators from other parts of Spain and abroad (Portugal, Italy, etc.). More importantly, he has tried to support all the local schools, dancers, and DJs in Galicia, as well as the salsa orchestra created by Galicians, the Orquesta Sonoridad. This is something to keep in mind, as the exposure for all these artists is possible thanks to the celebration and promotion of events like this one.

For its 5th anniversary edition, we enjoyed workshops and shows by Erik and Monika Eym Salsa from the Basque Country and Nuno and Rita from Portugal. There were also local shows like SSN Dancers, a group from a school in Betanzos, and Soulswing, a magnificent group of dancers from A Coruña, led by Javi Azúcar, who is a choreographer and guest DJ at several SpB sessions.

Over the years, many artists have participated in SpB sessions: figures such as Juan Matos, Yemambo, Carla Vocconi, Carlos Flow, Zergyo and Eva Mambo, Rui and Leonor, Nuno and Nágyla, or the local groups Mambo Sins and Son Candela, choreographed by the talented dancer Nuria Rodríguez Dieste, just to name a few.

Second, we have the two hosts who not only help organize all SpB events but also work hand-in-hand to ensure that each SpB session ends later, with more people asking for just one more song to dance to. I assure you that if the rules didn’t require a closing time, we would have the first after-hours venue where people consumed music, not substances, to stay awake. They are Manu Rumberito and El Nene del Bronx.

Salsa Pal Bailador - dance with me with Lugo - DJ Rumberito + El Nene — Salsa Pal Bailador – dance with me with Lugo – DJ Rumberito + El Nene

They are as unique as they are complementary, two tireless treasure hunters, searching for gems that haven’t yet been played on our dance floors, are unknown to our ears, or are classics we haven’t enjoyed in a long time or don’t get to hear very often. This is a luxury that, in these times of commercial music suffocation, very few of us can enjoy.

In addition, their passion for always seeking a more authentic, raw, and—why not say it?—more imperfect sound, but also one that is more acoustic and real, led them to start using vinyl records in their sessions. This trend has become SpB’s hallmark and has spread throughout Europe over time. Fortunately, we can now enjoy it at more and more events.

And, since passion is a state of mind that takes root everywhere, they found their alter egos in Madrid. Of course, they couldn’t celebrate SpB’s anniversary without them. These two turntable phenomena, Chema Sr. Importante and Marcin Martinelli, were the two guest DJs for such a special occasion. Other famous DJs have been featured at SpB sessions, including Hugo Leite, Nuno Melo, Dj Mito, Alexis Rodríguez, and Chris Beat, along with other local DJs such as Melao, Montuno, Sergio Elbembee, and the aforementioned Javi Azúcar. These DJs, like the guest dancers, aren’t unapproachable people; they come down to the dance floor to dance, chat, and enjoy themselves with the audience like everyone else.

Salsa Pal Bailador - Anniversary - DJs and workshops that will be presented — Salsa Pal Bailador – Anniversary – DJs and workshops that will be presented

At this point, many of you may be wondering: How is it possible that in a medium-sized city without a large Latin American population, an event featuring such a particular style of music can be so successful?

Well, it’s true that, fortunately for Galicians, in addition to having been welcomed with great hospitality in all the Latin countries to which we have emigrated, we have many returnees and natives from across the Atlantic living with us. This gives us the opportunity to enjoy many Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, and other styles of music and orchestras, which are very successful among both Galician and Latin American audiences.

But the truth is, we can say that they are different phenomena. People go to listen to the traditional music of these groups or orchestras for the pleasure of hearing those familiar tunes; it is more of a sensory delight.

However, when we talk about a social event, we associate it more with fun, leisure, and enjoyment in the sense of recreation. That’s what dancing at a social event means to us, where people of any age or condition simply let the music guide their bodies for pure joy, without any other pretensions.

It might be easy to conclude that this is the reason for the success of this type of event, and why they are so popular in this corner of the country. But we must remember that we are talking about A Coruña, a place that does not have the size or population of other large cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia. It’s a place where public attendance at these social events is high, where several social events are organized every week and on several days a week, and yet the public has been responding for decades. So what’s the secret?

Without wanting to diminish the great effort made in many other places, which despite this does not always have the deserved result, I believe that part of the success of this event is due to the courage to commit to formats or ideas that may not have an immediate and massive response or support but which, in return, offer sufficient quality to end up convincing even the most skeptical.

Therefore, in these times of commercial bombardment and mass-produced products, committing to creativity, innovation, and quality is a risky move. But we all know that if you don’t take risks, you don’t win, and SpB has taken that risk. As a result, every year it attracts more people from more places, including Portugal, Madrid, Valladolid, Asturias, Valencia, the Basque Country, Barcelona, etc. That is why, on its fifth anniversary, it has reaped its well-deserved rewards.

Salsa Pal Bailador - Congratulations — Salsa Pal Bailador – Congratulations

Congratulations to SpB and to its loyal audience, which is growing every day. Keep betting on quality!

Next event:

Salsa Pal Bailador

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Sala Garufa Club C / Riazor 5, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

After the success of its fifth anniversary celebration, the Salsa Pal Bailador event returns on Sunday, June 4, to the Salsa Garufa Club in A Coruña, Spain. It will be a night of PURA SALSA, featuring 100% vinyl with DJs Manu Rumberito and El Nene del Bronx. There will also be two shows featuring the talents of Baila Conmigo Lugo and Euphoria Ladies Project from Vigo.

More information: