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Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes “A True Re-invention for Everyone”.

International Salsa Magazine presents Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes “Metido En Su Garaje”.

The Pandemic (Covid-19), without a doubt, was devastating for a large number of people. For others, it was literally taken as a time of reflection, a time to reinvent oneself, a time to start a new era.

That is the case of our friend, and one of the fastest-growing salsa artists in the world, Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes. Aside from continuing to delight us with every song he releases, today, he has one of the most educational salsa programs on the networks and on Digital TV. It is called METIDO EN MI GARAGE and originates from the State of Florida, USA.

The Pandemic (Covid-19) was undoubtedly devastating for a large number of people. For others, it was literally taken as a time of reflection, a time to reinvent oneself, a time to start a new era. — EDWIN “EL CALVITO” REYES
#MetidoEnMiGaraje
“A True Re-invention and For All”.

As a result of the pandemic, “El Calvito” turned his garage into a mini-TV studio, with the goal of helping his colleagues in the media, regardless of the background or trajectory of the guests. Also, radio broadcasters, world-class dancers, DJs, event organizers, and even music management experts are part of the weekly treat that our friend “El Calvito” brings us in his often program. It is virtual, and you can easily watch it from your home. Lots of salsa, and in an educational way.

However, this fruit of re-invention has surprised Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes, because his program, not only transmits in networks, but also in 3 Digital TV channels. Collectively, several thousands of people are integrated every week, thanks to the collaboration of these networks, such as TROPICAL MOON TV (Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic), DreamForceBTL TV (Colombia), and LA PODEROSA 360 TV (Puerto Rico).

Esto Es Salsa Nueva EDWIN "EL CALVITO" REYES — Esto Es Salsa Nueva EDWIN “EL CALVITO” REYES

Due to the great reception in Puerto Rico through LA PODEROSA 360 TV, the International Network UNIVISION and its TELEISLA Channel in Puerto Rico (National TV), gave our friend the opportunity to be a fundamental part of the Saturday program, called “Cuchito’s 360 Late Night Show”, bringing the current videos of salsa worldwide, to the national screen of Puerto Rico. His section is called “Esto Es Salsa Nueva” (This is New Salsa), as one of the songs of “El Calvito” Reyes is called.

Just over 150 people within the 55 episodes of the program have been part of it. Each one with a different and motivating story. There is no room for “bickering”, because it is very familiar, and the goal is always to bring a positive, constructive message. “We go with no time limit, and always full of pure positive energy,” says “El Calvito”.

Still, in the midst of his successful push with the track ESTO ES SALSA NUEVA which has surpassed 100,000 plays on Spotify, and with his new LIVE Production, titled,
“Here we have a Salsero de Hoy, dedicated with his heart, for the good of the salsa genre, in the whole world.

The musical world has a great all in Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes.

EDWIN “EL CALVITO” REYES #MetidoEnMiGaraje “Una Verdadera Re-invencion y Para Todos” — EDWIN “EL CALVITO” REYES
#MetidoEnMiGaraje

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Que Siga la Fiesta with Carlitos Lopez “El Gordito Favorito”

Born in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1969 with music in his veins.

Carlos Enrique Lopez (Carlitos Lopez el gordito favorito), he begins to show interest in music in general, boleros and trios

The bomba, plena, jibara music which he listened to in the countryside when his uncles and aunts visited his family, they liked to play stringed instruments and harmony either the tres or the Puerto Rican cuatro and the symphony.

At the age of 7 he moved to his grandparents’ house to begin studying in elementary school in his native Puerto Rico, while studying in the afternoons he spent his time listening to Fania and its stars. Singers like Hector Lavoe, Cheo Feliciano, Ruben Blades, Ismael Rivera among others.

Courtesy of his cousin who was a loyal fan and collector of Willie Colon’s salsa etcetera, little by little he was learning to vocalize demonstrating the ability to learn to do vocals for the choir at that time he met a young Anthony Cruz for the first time and was impressed with his melodious voice, although they never shared in those days.

Carlos debuted at the age of 14 with an orchestra created by his cousin and some students of the vocational music school where he had the opportunity to accompany Santos Colon former singer Tito Puente, he decided to move back home to his parents where he met Anthony Cruz who lived on the same street where his parents lived, and who already belonged to the orchestra of Mario Ortiz and began to attend rehearsals, recordings and dances.

Born in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1969 with music in his veins. — Carlitos López El Gordito Favorito

There he met a young Tony Vega, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Elias Lopez, Lalo Rodriguez, Dario Morales who encouraged him to take vocal lessons, but he never did for lack of time.

but he never made it due to lack of support from his parents because there were other hopes and expectations.

The teacher Mario Ortiz noticed his uneasiness and spoke casually with his parents, but the decision had already been made by his parents.

but the decision was already made by them leaving Carlos disenchanted with music and taking the decision to emigrate to the United States where he dedicated himself to the culinary arts for the rest of his life until 2004 when he met again with Anthony Cruz who already had a successful career as a soloist and was touring they spoke for a moment and that was enough to return to her first love, music.

Anthony Cruz introduces him to several of the musicians who accompanied him in that activity and the rest is history. He joins the orchestra as a chorus singer and debuts as a composer where he writes 4 songs for the production of a CD of the orchestra entitled Going solo under the musical direction of Harry Rios.

They gain the popularity and admiration of the salsa people playing in different parts of Central Florida, festivals, clubs, and discotheques.

Carlitos López El Gordito Favorito Born in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico. — Carlitos López El Gordito Favorito
Born in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico.

They return and record a single Going Back to Old School on which Carlos dedicates a song to Israel Lopez Cachao titled 80 Year’s of Cachao with arrangement and direction by Luis Jungo Ortiz which had tremendous acceptance from the dancing public and the radio listeners, from there Carlos decides to retire from music again to continue his career in the culinary arts.

Until he receives a call from an old friend asking him to help him with the choirs because he was going to accompany different artists.

Carlos began to accompany different singers with that orchestra called La Predilecta as a chorus singer among which there were names of the height of Anthony Cruz, Lalo Rodriguez, Cano Estremera, Manolo Lezcano, Chamaco Rivera, Frankie Figueroa, Ommy Cardona, Paquito Acosta, Paquito Guzman, Hector Tricoche, Papo Cocote and many more.

Carlos has written several songs including a collaboration between Anthony Cruz and Danny Sanchez titled No Vale la pena Enamorarse with arrangement by Luis Jungo Ortiz.

In addition to a song titled Today again under the tutelage of Harry Rios sung by Danny Sanchez currently Carlos Enrique Lopez known as Carlitos (the favorite fatty) made his debut as a solo singer.

And is promoting the theme of his authorship entitled Me Enamore under the direction, arrangement and production of the master Luis Jungo Ortiz which has enjoyed a good reception on digital platforms, social networks and independent radio stations on the internet.

As Radio Brisa Tropical con the master Taíno Roldán, Radio Calidad de vida del Dr Ted, Top 98 radio with Richie Sanchez and also.

Que Siga la Fiesta

Carlos has just recorded a song of his authorship entitled Que Siga la Fiesta in collaboration with 2 talented gentlemen from Orlando Central Florida and Miami are Edwin el Calvito Reyes and Luis Jibarito de Jesus under the direction and arrangement of Mike Rivera The Professor in the studio 305 Imma Studio owned by music engineer Immanuel Ramirez which came out on April 20, 2021.

Facebook: Carlos Enrique López

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OMAR LEDEZMA JR.

From The Venezuelan Melody To The Caribbean Rhythm

Portentous percussionist and surprising Venezuelan singer. Musician trained at the prestigious Berklee University in Boston (US). Winner of a Grammy Award. His lifestyle is characterized by national and international performances, collaborations, compositions, and tours. Familiar, fearless, personable, and cheerful. This is how Omar Ledezma Jr. presents us his life.

He was born in the mountainous valley of Caracas (Venezuela) west of the city in the La Candelaria parish in the summer of 1972 at the height of the Salsa. From seven years old he briefly began his musical studies on the Piano at the prominent Yamaha school.

At the age of thirteen, he returned to music again, but this time playing percussion instruments in a “war band” at Claret school, one of the most recognized educational institutions in the Venezuelan capital.

At 16 years old he already formed his first Merengue and Salsa group together with his first musical friends.

At this dizzying pace, Omar began to take an interest in the Gaitas (traditional holiday music from this Latin American country) and began his foray into this genre. In 1991 he obtained his first prize, third place in the Pupitres y Gaitas contest on behalf of the Claret school. “When I started to grow up I was interested in drums. I awoke an interest in the Gaitas festivals… In fact, the Venezuelan rhythm has marked my life as a musician”. Omar commented.

At the age of 17, this percussion player began his university studies in Law at the Faculty of Law of the Santa María University in the middle of a troubled city and in search of knowledge about how society worked. Omar Jr. adds: “Already in the first year of Law I knew that in Venezuela we had a great root in Roman Rights and modern laws, but those laws were not applied. And that worried me“.

At the same time, Omar continued his music studies but this time with his related instrument, the percussion. To achieve mastery, he obtained classes with the Venezuelan teachers Rubén García with whom he is currently collaborating on some projects in Uruguay. He also got instruction from the musical director from the popular area of San Agustín in Sarria (Caracas), Jorge Orta “CroCro” who currently resides in the United States and the founder of the Orquesta CroCro y su Tumbaka.

Years later, and with experience acquired in presentations, and groups, Omar Jr. met his first mentor, Aquiles Baez, a famous Venezuelan artist, guitar virtuoso. Together with Aquiles, he made his first international tour of the United States. “With Aquiles, I had the pleasure of playing Venezuelan music. We play with many artists in the United States… Thanks to him I developed percussion (Non-autochthonous element) in Venezuelan music”. Ledezma Jr. commented.

In 1995 and with a law degree, he decided to dedicate himself to music professionally. He works hand in hand with consolidated national artists such as Daniel Somaroo, Carlos Puchi, Gerardo Rosales, just as his popularity begins and therefore his foray into studio album recordings.

Five years later, one of the most important phone calls arrived and the one that would turn his life upside down. Omar receives the call from Andy Vargas, the singer of the famous Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana. Vargas invited him to participate in his first residency at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas (Nevada), doing a show every half hour starting at six in the afternoon in the renowned bar of those facilities. This residency gave him many satisfactions and multiple experiences during his four years there.

Between these touches in Las Vegas, his second chance arises on the phone again, this time by the hand of the Venezuelan artist Jackeline Rago. Both worked for a season in a school program with the San Francisco Symphony.

All these experiences led him to be part of one of the most prominent local orchestras on the international rise of the San Francisco City (USA), the Pacific Mambo Orchestra for a decade.

In addition, Omar offers weekly personalized percussion training classes and works with various local organizations such as the San Francisco Ballet and the Community Music Center.

This cheerful and outstanding percussionist will soon surprise us with unpublished material in the dance genre. It will be two singles making his debut in the art world as a singer-songwriter, and you can enjoy it on his YouTube channel that he reactivated in December 2020.

OMAR LEDEZMA JR. & PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA

Omar Ledezma Jr. dancing with Sheila E. — Omar dancing with Sheila E. at the live concert at Stern Grove (San Francisco) in 2017

In 2011, the Grammy Award winner, Omar Ledezma Jr., is part of the most ambitious project of his life, the Pacific Mambo Orchestra (PMO), after moving to the fourth most populous city in the state of California (USA) and most receptive with Latino musicians, San Francisco.

It has been ten uninterrupted years in which Omar has gone from playing the conga to being the singer of the orchestra and is currently developing as the official timpanist of PMO, once that Karl Perazzo (Carlos Santana´s timpanist) left the big band. “Eventually he told me that is yours… I appreciate that opportunity because the Grammy has already come; many satisfactions and a lot of work have come as well”. Omar explained to us.

As time passed, they achieved a characteristic sound. And with it begin the recording of their self-titled album. Ledezma details us: “The band began to become popular on Monday nights, and we began to charge the entrance fee of 5, 10, 20, 30 dollars. Then we started on Saturdays with a lot of receptivity”.

In 2013 they won their first Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album and embarked on their first national tour for 30 days accompanying Latin artists Marlon Rosado and Tito Puente Jr. They toured the stages of Indiana, Arizona, and Oregon ending in California. The first international tour was held in Mexico and the second at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland.

After the Grammy and his tour, the second Pacific Mambo Orchestra album was on its way but this time recorded live at Stern Grove (San Francisco) in 2017. Here, Omar had outstanding participation with the queen of percussion, Sheila E. During the song Ran kan kan Omar Jr. & Sheila E. made a kettledrum war. He adds: “It was nice playing with her, watching her perform, and playing her music”.

This international orchestra made up of 20 musicians began rehearsals for the rhythm section on May 1 after a year and a half of not seeing each other. Before the end of 2021, they will make streaming where they will play original music such as PMO Intro, Muévete con Prisa, and Mr. B’s Mambo, among many others.

THE MUSIC RUNS THROUGH YOUR VEINS

Omar Ledezma Jr. Sitting — Omar and Cro Cro worked together in the band of José Alberto “El Canario” in performances in the United States before the pandemic.

His lineage confirms his musical streak. The Big Bands were always his great curiosity, and Glenn Miller’s orchestra his greatest ambition.

His father and his grandfather are musicians. His grandfather Rafael Isidro Ledezma “El Negro” was a renowned Orchestra conductor of the El Tigre city in Venezuela.

As an only child, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather. He developed himself professionally in music.

In 1995 he belonged for a few months to the Venezuelan super band Guaco in the Salsa project directed by Gustavo Aguado at La Cantina located in Las Mercedes in the Venezuelan capital. “I learned as much as I learned at Berklee”. Omar commented.

Among so many things learned, the main and undoubtedly important were: being a music lover, having discipline, developing creativity, and cultivating friendship.

The last tour in Venezuela that Ledezma carried out with the Gonzalo Grau quintet (with whom he obtained his first Grammy nomination) was 20 years ago at the Teresa Carreño Theater as the opening act for Pablo Milanés.

If I had children I would like them to follow their steps along with mine.” Omar Ledezma Jr.

YOUR WAY TO BERKLEE

Omar Ledezma Jr. playing percussion — Omar first led a music trio and then established a Salsa band in a venue very close to the school.

During a trip to Boston, Ledezma visited Berklee University for the first time in the summer of 1998. Through brochures, he learned that he had the necessary conditions to apply for a scholarship at this important school, and immediately did so without distraction. “Many said you couldn’t and I’m the one who thinks you don’t lose anything by trying”. Omar said.

He got going and sent in a demo to schedule an audition. That presentation was a success and he was accepted right away as one of the graduates of this prestigious institution. It took him a year to move to Boston and began his studies in the fall of 1999. The first years were emotionally hard due to the death of his second mother.

But he knew how to recover and move on. He worked very hard for six years to finish paying for school in 2002.

He obtained a Diploma in Performance. During the five years of study, he learned the four harmonies, arrangements, and composition. Also, in percussion, he developed skills in drums, Latin percussion, and vibraphone.

I still feel like my career is just beginning.” Omar Ledezma Jr.

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Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa”

Erika Muñoz official administrator of the portal “Se Armó la Rumba en México”

Through Erika Muñoz official administrator of the portal “Se Armó la Rumba en México”, www.SalsaGoogle.com International Salsa Magazine and Por La Maceta Internacional 101.1 FM present the Puerto Rican Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa” based in Columbus, Georgia, USA.

The singer-songwriter Jose David Flores Perez better known as Chevy El Pitirre De La Salsa, son of Puerto Rican parents (both Cidreños), so at the age of 8 years settles in Cidra, a municipality in the mountainous Central Region of the Island of Enchantment.

He had the privilege of being lulled with musical notes; his father was an amateur singer as well as his maternal grandfather and uncles, and the string instruments (guitars, Cuban tres, and Puerto Rican cuatro) were his letters of introduction and distinction.

Through Erika Muñoz, official administrator of the portal "Se Armó la Rumba en México", www.SalsaGoogle.com International Salsa Magazine and Por La Maceta Internacional 101.1 FM present the Puerto Rican Chevy "El Pitirre De La Salsa" based in Columbus, Georgia, USA. — Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa”

Once he settled in Puerto Rico, and as a teenager, he participated in choral activities at his school and in troubadour competitions in his town and surrounding areas.

In 1999 he arrived in Columbus, Georgia in fulfillment of his military service and remained there until 2005. During this period of time he joined musical groups in the area of Son Tropical (Columbus), Orquesta Tamboricua and Taboga, both from Atlanta.

Back to Puerto Rico in 2006, he stayed away from the stage, except for his participation in the second edition of the contest “Buscando el Sonero de Picante” for the year 2012 held at the Marriott Hotel in Isla Verde, where Chevy managed to sneak into the finalists.

Those evenings were hosted by radio man and event promoter Nestor “El Búho Loco” of Z93, Puerto Rico’s Salsa radio station, and accompanied by the musical framework of La Sonora Sanjuanera.

He returns to Columbus in 2016 and the meeting with the musician and arranger Felix Rodriguez takes place, integrating the vocal line of the Caribbean Sound group “group that by then was in the process of formation” and that somehow would be the necessary incentive for his return to the musical stage.

In the month of February 2019 prior to the celebration of Valentine’s Day, the single titled Instrumento de Amor was released through the different social networks and could be obtained through the various platforms in music sales in digital format.

The date was selected intentionally because from the titles of the singles, the name of the production and the theme of this one, it is evident the concordance of the encounters and misunderstandings of love that happen in everyday life.

The first production “Entre el Amor y el Vacilón” contains 8 songs inspired by Chevy’s own pen that he has drawn from the depths of his heart.

Once he settled in Puerto Rico, and as a teenager, he participated in choral activities at his school and in troubadour competitions in his town and surrounding areas — Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa”

Under an intense work in this 2021 El Pitirre De La Salsa presents his second production for the album titled “Enjaulado” contains 12 songs of which some are authored by Chevy.

On May 30 was the official launch of the second production of the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and is available on all digital platforms.

You can already listen to the promotional track titled “En Modo de Avión” and “Siempre en mi Mente” to mention a few that are already available on his YouTube channel.

Facebook: Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa

By: Erika Muñoz from “Se Armó la Rumba en México”

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Celso Clemente Torres is considered one of the best sounding bongos in the world.

Percussionist Celso Clemente Torres, was born on January 31, 1965 in San Juan, Puerto Rico his childhood and under the guidance of his father, Celso Clemente Sr., the young man was introduced to the world of music in 1973.

At the age of nine, he made his first big band performance at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico alongside Giovanni Hidalgo with the Roberto Roena Orchestra.

When he was twelve years old, he participated in his first recording called “Borinquen All-Stars” with the great Puerto Rican trumpet player and band leader Mr. Elias Lopez (R.I.P) with the great Gentleman of Salsa Gilberto Santa Rosa, he was the lead singer of that important project.

At the age of nine, he made his first presentation with a big band at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico alongside Giovanni Hidalgo with the Roberto Roena Orchestra. — Celso Clemente Torres is considered one of the best sounding bongos in the world.

He has been a percussionist for 40 years. Clemente has mastered the following instruments; bongo, conga, timbal and minor percussion.

With all these instruments he has had the opportunity to be part of countless recordings in the tropical genre which have served as inspiration for new exponents of the genre.

Due to his vast experience in percussion he has been able to spread his knowledge, offering percussion workshops to different groups (children, youth and adults) with excellent results. This has led him to create his own line of bongo bells and timpani sticks with his name.

He has had the opportunity to work in big stages such as; Madison Square Garden, House Of Blues, Coliseo de Puerto Rico “José Miguel Agrelot” Centro De Bellas Artes, among others. He worked in these orchestras; Roberto Angleró, Moliendo Vidrio, Tommy Olivencia, Tony Vega, Tito Rojas with this work 27 years, of which he directed his orchestra in Puerto Rico and outside the Island for 20 years.

With all these instruments he has had the opportunity to be part of countless recordings in the tropical genre, which have served as inspiration for new exponents of the genre. — He has been a percussionist for 40 years. Clemente masters the following instruments; bongo, conga, timbal and minor percussion

He has recorded with Roberto Angleró, Tommy Olivencia, Tony Vega, Tito Rojas, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentin, José Alberto “El Canario”, Rey Ruiz, Willie González, Frankie Ruiz, Puerto Rico All Star, Yan Collazo, Bomplenea, Plenarium among others.

He has also had the opportunity to be music producer, “Rompiendo Barreras” with Mario Feliciano, “Independiente” Tito Rojas, “Ritmo Caliente” with Bomplenea by Gary Vera, “Rompe La Rutina” by Del Gonzalez, “Te mando un beso” with Plenarium by Capitol Clemente.

He has also had the opportunity to be a music producer, "Rompiendo Barreras" with Mario Feliciano, "Independiente" Tito Rojas, "Ritmo Caliente" with Gary Vera's Bomplenea, "Rompe La Rutina" by Del Gonzalez, "Te mando un beso" with Plenarium by Capitol Clemente. — Jimmie Morales (R.I.P.), Porfi Baloa and Celso Clemente

He is an endouser of the Pearl Musical Instrument Company also in the line of cymbals “Soultone Cymbals”.

Celso Clemente is considered one of the best sounding bongos, which caught the attention of many record producers. Celso is probably the most recorded bongos player in the history of Puerto Rican salsa discography with more than 220 credited recordings.

The list of salsa legends Celso has recorded with is too long to list.

Celso is currently the timbalero and leader of the band of the famous salsero Tito Rojas (R.I.P) where he toured all over the world.

Celso is probably the most recorded bongo player in the history of Puerto Rican salsa discography with more than 220 accredited recordings. — Celso Clemente & Tito Rojas (R.I.P)

He offers Percussion Workshops to; children, youth and adults, both in person and online, based on his extensive musical experience, which is more than 42 years in the tropical genre (Salsa), bomba and plena.

Facebook: Celso Clemente Talleres De Percusión

Contact in Puerto Rico: +1 787-429-9971

Email: [email protected]

Source: Pearl Musical Instrument Company https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/celso-clemente

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Correspondent

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