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Arturo “Chico” O’farrill

North America / United States / New York

Arturo “Chico” O’farrill “The Afro-Cuban Jazz Architect”

Arturo O’Farrill or better known as “Chico” O’Farrill was born in Havana (Cuba) on October 28, 1921. He was the son of a recognized Jewish family whose father was an eminent lawyer whom one day decided to immigrate to the United States. Arturo undertook his studies at the Riverside Military School in Gainesville, Georgia (interned by his father).

He began to love the jazz orchestras (big bands) and within that environment he fed musically, listening to recordings of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey, so much, that in a brief time he learned to plays the trumpet and became the trumpet player of the military band as well as the several dance groups.

Years later, Chico returned to Cuba. He studied law and at the same time developed his facet as a composer, receiving a composition and harmony study with the master, Félix Guerrero. Likewise, he was also Armando Romeu Bellamar Orchestra’s member and the Isidro Pérez Orchestra, when the Son and the Mambo prevailed in the Latin music.

TRAJECTORY

From 1943 to 1947 “The Afro-Cuban Jazz Architect” worked at the cabaret Montmartre. He was a member of Bellamar Orchestra, directed by Armando Romeu and integrated by Luis and Pucho Escalante, Gustavo Mas and Mario Romeu, among others. He traveled to Mexico and Europe as a trumpeter musician as well as he created the band, Los Raqueteros del Swing, being the director and trumpet.

Subsequently, he founded Los Beboppers (the first group of Cuban bop), which was presented at the Saratoga Hotel with Chico again as the director and the trumpet.

In the ‘50s decade began the successes for Chico as an arranger, working briefly for several orchestra directors, such as Gil Fuller, Noro Morales, Frank “Machito” Grillo, and Benny Goodman.

In the same way, he composed his first great masterpiece “Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite” in five movements: Song, Mambo, 6/8, Jazz and Rumba Open. This masterpiece was made and recorded for the businessman Norman Granz’s label, using the Machito’s Orchestra as an accompanist and rhythmic base.

“Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite”, according to Luc Delannoy: “begins and ends with a hypnotic flute and conga duo that reflects the essence of Cuban treatment; the union of musical universes: the European (the flute) and the African (the conga).

To these two instruments is joined the oboe, followed by the trumpets, saxophones and the “Tumbao” of the double bass… After a return to swing and bebop in the fourth movement, Chico takes us to the origins of Latin jazz with a melody of clear Arabic accents, before sinking back into the universe of Afro-Cuban percussions”. Likewise, for Benny Carter, this Suite was: “The reason for the coherence of the rhythmic parts and their relationships with the solos that have their own life and independence, Masterpiece of a genius.”

In New York and following the success of “Afro Cuban Jazz Suite”, O’Farrill writes “Cuban Fantasy” for Stan Kenton, who later changes its name to “Cuban Episode”.

In 1953 he traveled to California, where he founded his orchestra that included renowned musicians such as Mario Bauzá, Doug Mettome, Jimmy Nottingham, Eddie Bert, Fred Zito, Lenny Hambro, Flip Phillips, and saxophonist Eddie Wasserman. The orchestra used the rhythm section of the Machito’s Afro-Cuban, harp and oboe. With this concept he recorded for Norman Granz, performed in Birdland (New York), and the Hat Ballroom located in Los Angeles. In this period he composed three new movements: “La Jungla”, “Contraste”, and “Rhumba Finale”, baptized as “Manteca Suite” recorded with the Jazz player Dizzy Gillespie and orchestra of 21 excellent musicians in 1954.

He returns to Cuba again in 1956 to be inspired and immediately began working for the best record companies on the island such as Panart and RCA Víctor, recording “Chico’s Cha-Cha-Cha”, adapting the Charanga rhythm to the big band format. This album is released, one more time, on compact disc by BMG during the last decade of the twentieth century. Chico also made a recording for the popular D’Aida Quartet and arrangements for Bola de Nieve and the famous Orchestra Director, Aldemaro Romero.

In 1958 the restless O’Farrill moved for Mexico, an essential platform for all Latin American musicians at that time. There he returned to create another special sound and appears on television as musical director of the Andy Russell singer, and there his life changed radically. He started a semi-retirement period, but never stopped creating music. At that moment, he composed his famous “Azteca Suite” for trumpeter Art Farmer, and he made history again!

In the 60s he returned to New York and makes arrangements for such important figures as La Lupe (They Call Me La Lupe); Cal Tjader (Along Comes Cal); Clark Terry (Spanish Rice); Count Basie (High Voltage); Gato Barbieri (Chapter Three: Viva Emiliano Zapata); Ringo Starr (Night and Day) and dabbled in the Rock music with David Bowie (I Know It’s Gonna Happen, Looking for Lester), and finally he was director of the Aldemaro Romero´s Orchestra.

This stage extends until the end of the 20th century, although already in the 70s, the big bands go down in history for several genres that would be manifested due to their novelty and immense popularity in the United States and around the world. The architects of the new fashion used new techniques, styles, and sounds, especially in the field of harmonization. Suddenly popular music stopped being exclusively for the ballroom and -of course- “new sound” icons appeared in the Jazz Music. For this reason, Chico O’Farrill begins working in the lucrative field of music for television commercials.

In the mid-1990s, “The Afro-Cuban Jazz Architect” was contacted by American producer and Jazz director Todd Barkan with Pure Emotion, a compiled of his musical career with which he got a nomination for the 37th edition of the Grammy awards.

O’Farrill toured Europe with his orchestra in 1996 and recorded his latest album titled “Heart Of A Legend”, which contains 14 tracks, a formidable orchestra of 18 masters and a staff of international artists. The arrangements of “Heart Of A Legend”, considered for many as the best album of his career, took care by himself and the musical direction was entrusted to his son, Arturo O’Farrill Jr., a formidable pianist and heir of his legacy.

Arturo “Chico” O’farrill died on June 29, 2001, in New York City at 80 years.

Undeniably, Chico for more than half a century was a great musical creator. He was at the forefront of an innovative style that many know as Latin Jazz nowadays, which was called at the beginning with many names, such as Cuban bop, Mambo Jazz and Afro-Cuban Jazz.

Our dear “AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ARCHITECT” Until forever!

In memory of 18 years of his passing!

Balazo de Norteamérica:

Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill

“The Afro-Cuban Jazz Architect”

In memory of 18 years of his passing!

Three albums by Arturo Sandoval to give away at Christmas

North America / United Stated / Washington DC

ISM Recommends “CHRISTMAS AT NOTRE DAME”, “ULTIMATE DUETS”, and “LIVE AT YOSHI’S” of the “Trumpet Legend” to enjoy in the comfort of your home

Here is already a month left for December and with it the fast and multiple purchases, in addition to the Christmas gifts that you should not leave for last. What a headache for some people! It’s for that we are going to recommend you the elite gift, three Latin Jazz albums by Arturo Sandoval with which you will be 100% a lord and you will not disappoint even your “Secret Santa”.

ULTIMATE DUETS

Ten-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval released his more recent album “Ultimate Duets” in 1998. Marking the continuation of a distinguished four-decade catalog of over 30 groundbreaking titles, the album finds renowned artists from the worlds of Pop, Jazz, Classical, and Latin music coming together for the Cuban maestro’s first duets.

At the outset of recording, Arturo with more than 40 years making music, wanted to make a CD with singers that perhaps nobody has related to Jazz, so he made a list with more than 20 names of artists that he admired deeply but who sing different genres and then simply asked each participant to suggest a favorite song they would like to reimagine with the “Trumpet Legend”, and the results are absolutely amazing as the list of collaborators.

ULTIMATE DUETS includes 11 hilarious tracks: “Andante, Andante” – featuring the awaited return of the globally recognized voice of ABBA’s Anni-Frid Lyngstad. This song from the multi-platinum Super Trooper album marked the first time that a member of the Swedish supergroup has returned to the studio to record one of their classics. Stevie Wonder chose to record “People” (which he and Sandoval first performed at a Grammy tribute to Barbara Streisand), whereas Prince Royce turned the tables and decided to record Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” (Popularized in the 70s) in a contemporary Bachata style.

Likewise, the Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz also participated in this album versioning “Corazón Partio” featuring Big Phat Band. In the same way, Arturo recorded with legends and new generation voices: Plácido Domingo (“Granada” feat. Vicente Amigo), Pharrell Williams (“Arturo Sandoval” feat. Ariana Grande), Josh Groban (Solo Esta Soledad), Juan Luis Guerra (La Bilirrubina), David Bisbal (El Ruido), Al Jarreau (After All), and Celia Cruz (Quimbara). “It was very exciting to include something with Celia, whom I always admired and loved very much. I couldn’t make a record of duets without her, the eternal Salsa Queen”, Arturo said.

Although in this album Sandoval shows a great variety of genres, he assures that he won’t move away from Jazz: “It’s my main genre and would never leave it, but I am also a big fan of music in general. I’ve always liked Salsa, Merengue, Pop … Good music is what matters most to me, for that I’m so happy with this album”, Sandoval said for an international media.

Release: May 18th, 2018

Available on your favorite digital platform!

CHRISTMAS AT NOTRE DAME

Arturo Sandoval, the most dynamic live performer of our time and virtuous trumpeter recorded his FIRST official Christmas Album with the ensembles of Notre Dame one year ago.

This album contains 12 Joyous tracks featuring the Notre Dame Children’s Choir & Isabella Burns (Ave María), Notre Dame Children’s Choir (Joy To The World, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Silent Night), Symphonic Winds (Let It Shine and Fantasy On Fum, Fum, Fum), Notre Dame Jazz Ensemble (The Christmas Song and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas), Gabriella Solis & Stephen Lancaster (I’ll Be Home for Christmas), Alyse Jamieson & Jazz Ensemble (All I Want For Christmas Is You), Matthew Kelly & Emorja Roberson (Frosty The Snowman), Victoria Fraser & Notre Dame Children’s Choir (O Holy Night), Sacred Music at Notre Dame Vocalists, and graduate Jazz trio!

Celebrate the Holidays NOW!

Release: October 5th, 2018

LIVE AT YOSHI’S

The last ISM recommendation is this live album recorded in Yoshi´s, an important venue located in Oakland, California. This Trumpet Concert in which Sandoval and crew render musical honors was launched in 1995 and contains seven tracks: first pays tribute to the genre’s earliest New Orleans traditions (Second Line – Joe Avery’s Blues) then proceeding on to Bebop (Bebop Medley). Without forgetting his deep Latin roots (El Manisero) and his bound-less love for mentor Dizzy Gillespie (Dear Diz and Every Day I Think of You), as well as for trumpet icons Clifford Brown (Joy Spring Sureña) and Miles Davis (Seven Steps to Heaven). A dollop of Clark Terry’s “mumbling” is even thrown in for good measure.

“I enjoyed Arturo Sandoval’s Latin Jazz concert at Yoshi’s night club on July 4th. He combined all kinds of Jazz inspiration into his own unique “Latin Soul” music. His music is so free and universal. I feel Arturo’s inspiration can bring us together and is taking us into a new dimension of our new world… – Yoshi.

Release: October 2^nd, 2015

Oh, And if you haven’t seen a concert by this “Trumpet Legend” yet, don’t miss this month 4 days of amazing shows with two sets, so you can attend at the time that suits you best in the city of the White House, Washington DC.

Dates: November 14^th, 15^th, 16^th & 17^th

Prices: $71 – $76

Venue: Blues Alley. 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007

Contact: 202-337-4141

Purchase your ticket online today at https://www.bluesalleylive.com/?fuseaction=home.artist&VenueID=3&artistid=19523

ARTURO SANDOVAL – Trumpet Legend

10 Time Grammy Award Winner
Emmy Award Recipient
6 Time Billboard Award Winner
2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
2016 Honorary Doctorate recipient in Fine Arts from The University of Notre Dame
2015 Hispanic Heritage Award Recipient

“Cuando una canción es buena, siempre va a ser buena, sin importar quién, cuándo o cómo se cante”. Arturo Sandoval

More about Arturo Sandoval as well as event dates around the world at http://ARTUROSANDOVAL.com/

Social Channel:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ARTUROSANDOVALMUSIC/

Roberto Rodríguez was a Cuban trumpet player and composer, author of Ray Barreto’s hit song “Que viva la Música” (Long Live Music)

Roberto Reimundo Rodríguez (Cienfuegos, January 23, 1936 – April 18, 1988), was a Cuban trumpeter and composer, who belonged to Ray Barreto’s orchestra, which he would later leave to belong to Fania All-Stars, as lead trumpet player.

Roberto is the author of Ray Barreto’s hit “Que viva la música”.

Roberto was born in 1938, in Cienfuegos (Cuba). He began his musical career at the age of 12, in his native province; cradle of the world famous Orquesta Aragón.

From an early age he participated in “Las Comparsas de Cuba” and with the orchestra “La Unión Fraternal de Cienfuegos”.

In 1955, he emigrated to the United States and in 1957 he married Nancy Zayas, with whom he had three sons: Roberto Jr., William and Richard.

While growing as an artist, Roberto co-founded the orchestra “Los Jóvenes Estrellas de Cuba” with his long-time friend Ernie Stairs. He later moved on to Wilfredo Figueroa’s orchestra and “Ritmo Swing”.

In 1965, Roberto was recommended to Ray Barreto by Eddie Martinez. Eddie was a pianist for both the TataVazquez and Ray Barretto orchestras.

After listening to Roberto, Ray Barretto recognized that he was in contract with Vivar, one of his former colleagues and musicians, and brought him on board. Roberto remained in Ray’s orchestra for 11 years.

His performance as first trumpet soloist was extraordinary. While in Ray’s orchestra, Roberto composed several famous songs such as: “Yo Soy La Candela”, “Fuego y Pa’Lante”, “Invitación al Son”, “Cienfuegos, Perla del Sur”, “Se Traba”, “El Tiempo lo Dirá”, “O’Elefante”, and the worldwide hit: “Que Viva la Música”.

In 1972, Roberto became a member of the Fania All-Stars as first trumpet and soloist. The documentary “Our Latin Thing” launched Roberto along with the other members of the All-Stars to international fame.

Our Latin Thing

On August 26, 1971 New York City gave birth to a sound that would change Latin music forever. That night at the renowned Cheetah nightclub, the Fania All Stars took the stage with their unique sound that echoed across all borders and reached every country. Fania Records re-releases “Our Latin Thing” on DVD, the film that sparked the salsa movement of the seventies.

From the concert came a double LP entitled “Live At The Cheetah” and the historic film “Our Latin Thing”. Its director, Leon Gast, documented the events at the Cheetah with the addition of footage of the musicians in the recording studio and scenes of New York’s Spanish Harlem.

The 40th anniversary edition of “Our Latin Thing” includes a DVD with the remastered film, and two CDs with the music from the film and some additional tracks, which can be purchased on the label’s official website.

In 1975, Ray decided to take a turn towards a new musical facet and Roberto became part of the group “Los Kimbos”.

Two years later, in 1977, Roberto joined the charanga band “Orquesta Broadway”. In this group he not only excelled as a trumpet soloist but also as a vocalist. Here he composed new hits, including: “No Se Va a Poder” and “Como Nueva York no Hay”.

In 1982, Roberto decided to assist his sons in their desire to continue their musical journey and produced the album: “Roberto Rodríguez Presenta a Los Rodríguez”, under the “Combo Records” label.

In 1983, Roberto joined the “Los Rodriguez” Orchestra, to perform with his sons Roberto Jr (trumpet player) and Willie (bass player).

His health deteriorated in early 1988, and he finally passed away in April of that year, victim of skin cancer. His son Roberto Rodriguez Jr. followed in his footsteps and has excelled in salsa orchestras in New York.

Roberto Rodríguez was a Cuban trumpet player and composer

Hansel and Raúl, The Charanga Legend duo

Hansel and Raúl is a charismatic and transgressive Charanga duo of the line of romantic lyrics of the time. They positioned the Cuban “Charanga” rhythm on the top of global popularity, a danceable genre that they imposed on each stage they were invited to and which incorporated their unique Caribbean essence.

This particular duo with three decades of trajectory was born in Miami in 1984 after breaking from the orchestra “Charanga 76”, where they were co-founder members and their main vocalists. With this New York orchestra, born in Brooklyn, they won international recognition and their first Grammy for the album “Encore” in 1978.

Photo of Hansel and Raúl — Hansel and Raúl – The Charanga Legend duo

“Many of the artists who recorded with them during their stay in “Charanga 76” include the renowned pianist – for many years – by Héctor Lavoe, Gilbert Colón and the first Jewish-American flutist woman, Andrea Brachfeld.”

Very pleasant memories come to Hansel‘s mind during this interview, especially his first composition “Si no te encuentras tú” for Charanga 76, his voice took a turn and he showed nostalgia as well as pride in remembering it: “I don’t sit to write a song with a guitar or piano. The Inspiration comes to me alone, there is nothing personal”.

Each anecdote that he tells us is remembered as facts that have led to their musical maturity. Each fun fact has been defined as part of their career, such was the case of the great master, Israel “Cachao” López, who with all his musical wisdom and mastery of his instrument, the Double Bass, taught the rhythmic base to the orchestra. “The conguero and the timbalero even the güirero he taught them to play well. He was a teacher of all, including us who learned a lot from him. R.I.P, he was a glory of music”, Hansel said to us.

But that wasn’t all he told us about the legend of Cuban music, “Cachao”, who was the Double Bassist of the “Charanga 76” orchestra for 12 years, also he told us that every time they wen a tour the “Inventor of Mambo” had them buy a plane seat to his Double Bass, he sat it next to him and even put the belt on the string instrument, as is dictated by airline regulations.

The funniest thing would come later when the Double Bass received the same attention as each member of the orchestra. Amazing! The Double Bass also had its portion of food during each trip as each musician of the orchestra, and when the flight attendant brought it was when the offer was presented by each musician for that fabulous portion, although the end was always the same, the trumpeter won!

Hansel y Raúl - Photo — Hansel y Raúl concert

Photo in concert - Hansel and Raúl — Hansel and Raúl – Photo behind the scenes

Each experience with Charanga 76 made them evolve in music and although with this orchestra they made themselves renowned professionally, as a duo they flew the fence. They have received multiple musical awards, their sympathetic lyrics, and in some cases, satirical or burlesque have won the applause, admiration, and respect of colleagues in the music industry and the general public on three continents: America, Europe, and Asia.

“The Jersey Boys” was their first youth musical group with only 5 members and although the musical instruments they played were the basics of Rock, their rhythmic concept was Cuban music.

“María Teresa y Danilo” was one of the compositions that brought many satisfactions to this duo. Nowadays it’s still preferred by the fanatical public of the genre. Many debates and speculations were made about this song, but here we tell you the true story. “María Teresa y Danilo” dates its beginnings to the 80s when soap operas like “Dallas” were in fashion.

Hansel came up with the idea of diving and writing on this topic. He magically composed the lyric during the plane trip with San Francisco – Miami trajectory and the rest we already know, multiple copies sold, and hundreds of awards granted to them for the feeling that caused this popular theme.

After such overwhelming success as a duo, Hansel and Raúl decides to separate in 1988. What was the reason?

Everyone wanted to make another kind of music. Each one followed a different path, for his part, Hansel recorded five solo albums including metals, more trumpets and trombones, and in three of these albums, he included neither the violin nor the flute, assuming almost completely the end of the Charanga rhythm in his music. However, a short time later he realized that this Caribbean rhythm was what identified with his audience and two years later he joined Raúl again to continue their successful career.

Hansel and Raúl has a total of 330 songs recorded and on December 31 this Charanga duo will have a performance in Los Angeles, CA and you may be lucky and they play your favorite single and if don’t you can ask for it. Classics such as “Soy”, “Se me nota”, “El ayer”, “María Teresa y Danilo”, “Kukucha kucha”, “Balancea mi corazón” (Yordano), “Ojos Verdes” (Alfredo Gutiérrez), among many others, will be present at this 1: 45min show.

Purchase your Tickets quickly before it´s sold out

https://www.facebook.com/events/crown-plaza-hotel-and-casino/new-years-eve-2020-the-great-gatsby-presents-hansel-raul/271515257093512/

We hope to see them there singing each of their hits and if you later travel to New York, don’t be surprised to see Hansel in that city because he and his family will be celebrating their daughter’s sweet sixteen, on the second day of January 2020.

Is Hansel a stage name?

Although some may consider that Hansel is a characteristic name of the children’s story “Hansel and Gretel”, this name comes from Germany and it’s of Jewish origin. Hansel Enrique is the name of this singer and songwriter “Charanguero” and he is named so to differentiate himself from Hansel Horacio (father). In Cuba, the tradition is maintained that every male child must bear the name of his grandfather; this is the reason for all his cousins are called Hansel.

More Details visiting:

http://www.HANSELYRAUL.com

Social Channel:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/HANSELYRAUL/

Néstor Galan “El Buho” – SAFERRRROOOO!!!

Latin America / Puerto Rico / San Juan

Néstor Rodríguez Búonomo better known as Néstor Galán “El Búho Loco” was born on January 6, 1958, in the state of New York.

Néstor Galan "El Buho" — Néstor Galan “El Buho”

His parents are Mrs. Eufemia Búonomo and Mr. Julio Rodríguez. He is the eldest of three (3) brothers and father of Julixa Rodríguez Ramírez, who they have heard on the radio with his father.

At the early age of five (5) years, he moved with his parents to Cayey, Puerto Rico.

He studied at Benigno Carrión Elementary School, Benigno F. García Middle School, where he studied music and was part of the School Band as a trumpeter.

Néstor Galan "El Buho Loco" — Néstor Galan “El Buho Loco”

Then he goes to the Miguel Meléndez Muñoz High School and the opportunity arises to be part of one of the most important groups of popular music; The Student Tuna of Cayey, in which she remained for five years as a singer, participating in 4 long-playing albums and in trips abroad.

He was part of the dramatic art group participating in several plays as an actor.

Upon graduating in 1976, he went on to study at the Rio Piedras Commercial Technical Institute and then at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón.

In 1979 the Super 97 radio station specialized in the salsa genre began to work at Radio Musical under the name of Néstor Galán, they called him “Galán” because he always liked to dress well. This is his first experience as a broadcaster.

In 1981 he went to work at the radio station Z-93 as a technician, operator and in its promotions.

In 1982 he worked as a production assistant on the program “Viva la Salsa” (WAPA-TV) together with Marianito Artau.

In 1983 he began as a night time announcer in this important radio station and that is when the announcers decide to give themselves nicknames after animals, being in the night time they decide to call him “El Búho”.

Logo de Néstor Galan “El Buho Loco”

In 1985 he began to work during the day and since the owls do not go out during the day, the name “El Búho Loco” emerged. He has worked in all the National Salsa days.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NestorGalanZ93/