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TOURS - GIRAS
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_______________________________________________________________________ TOP 10 UPDATED as of 9/4/2008 **
Friday, September 5, 2008 TCM Timba.com 2008 Recognition Award Winner!
TCM Would like to recognize this year's winner Elizabeth Sobol. If you are wondering who Elizabeth Sobol is I have got the entire story of this great Timba pioneer! Elizabeth Sobol’s teacher, Cliff Matthews, often quoted that E.M. Forster line when she was studying classical piano at the North Carolina School of the Arts. His advice, in reference to creating a legato line, has proved to be the guiding metaphor in Sobol’s life and role as the Managing Director of the premiere international performing arts management agency, IMG Artists. Although she also attended Sarah Lawrence College, and the Rotterdam Conservatory, Sobol credits her North Carolina School of the Arts teachers – especially Matthews, pianist Joseph Kalichstein and cellist Denis Brott – for encouraging her to focus on music’s profound connection to one’s life and soul rather than instrument mastery. And it was during her training there when she recognized that her destiny was not to be on stage, but to guide and build the careers of performance artists. In a sense, Sobol played manager to herself and spent her senior year of college in New York learning all she could about classical music management by working as an intern for Charles Hamlen and Edna Landau at the upstart Hamlen Management. The new agency – run out of a one-room basement office on West 83rd Street – was a David against two goliath agencies at the time. Through a combined commitment to the key business principles of decency, compassion, dedication and a love of the arts, the business evolved into IMG Artists, the undisputed global leader in the arts management business today. “Charlie Hamlen and Edna Landau were trained as musicians and carried their love of music and artists with them. Working with them was a joyful experience. People wanted to see them succeed,” Sobol says. And they did. Sobol worked her way from intern to talent manager and booking agent, and then to Senior Vice President and Associate Director before rising to the top of the agency as Managing Director in July, 2007. She operates on a B to B model with a twist. For while her artist clients are indeed “the product” she “sells” to music organizations – promoters, presenters, record companies - she considers “empathy” as the most valuable currency she can offer to both parties. “The performing arts business is a challenging one,” she explains. “Just the contradiction between the phrase ‘performing arts’ and the word ‘business’ is problematic. How do you reduce something which deals with the most exquisite and ephemeral beauty – the expressions of the most sacred longings of mankind – to a business model? And yet, these are the realities we are forced to grapple with daily. Anyone who has the passion, the patience and the sense of purpose to dedicate themself to this endeavour deserves empathy and support.” With offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia, IMG Artists delivers an array of international capabilities including the management and touring of the finest musicians, dance companies, orchestras, and attractions; the development and operation of music and arts festivals; consulting, advisory and event management work for governments, art institutions, concert halls and corporations; and production of critically acclaimed audio/visual projects. Its roster of revered performers are global superstars including violinists Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell, The Bolshoi and the Joffrey Ballet, opera singers Renee Fleming, flute master Sir James Galway, the Bill T. Jones and Pilobolus dance companies, The Emerson String Quartet, KODO, Tiempo Libre and many, many more. (www.imgartists.com) Unlike the pop world where careers can start and finish within a matter of years and one hit wonders abound, the life of a classical artist is more like a fine wine that ages to perfection over time. For Sobol and the team she leads, patience is required, or at least forbearance and faith, as well as a tremendous amount of insight into human nature. “It’s a bit of a cliché, but true, raw talent is only part of what allows an artist to forge a successful career,” explains Sobol. “I am looking for sparks, for the ineffable, trying to see the inner person and how they will unfold as an artist over time. I consider the nature of each artist’s resolve and courage, his or her vision and ability to touch an audience at the deepest level. From there I determine my strategy for them and how I will guide them. It’s an on-going dialogue as you work together. The fact that this process can last a life-time is just one of the joys of the business.” It’s only natural that over the course of a lifetime, seeds are planted that grow to fruition. Sobol has managed the career of violin virtuoso Joshua Bell since 1992, and was on-hand to celebrate when he received the coveted 2007 Avery Fisher Prize – the highest honour a classical artist can receive. In addition to Joshua Bell, Sobol includes superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman among her personal management clients. It was in 1999 on the road with Perlman (she produced the North American tour of Perlman’s “In The Fiddler’s House” – the legendary violinist’s celebration of Klezmer music) that she heard Cuban music for the first time. It was a moment of epiphany, experiencing the rhythmic richness and physicality of the music. Returning to NY at the end of the tour, Sobol made herself a personal promise to learn to speak Spanish and to dedicate herself to all aspects of Cuban music. It was a promise kept, and included her taking on representation of prominent US-based Cuban artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Albita and Juan-Carlos Formell. In 2002 she spotted and signed Tiempo Libre – a group of young Miami-based Cuban musicians whose dream was to bring timba (an exuberant dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and traditional Afro-Cuban music) to the United States and beyond. In these phenomenally gifted musicians, all classically trained in La ENA (the “Juilliard” of Cuba), Sobol found inspiration – and another connection – between the classical and the Cuban. Within days of hearing them for the first time, Sobol had secured them a spot opening for the legendary Celia Cruz at the Ravinia Festival before a crowd of 12,000. Six years later, they are celebrating their 2nd Grammy nomination (Sobol executive-produced both albums) and an impressive international touring schedule. Carrying the Cuban/classical connection even further, Sobol and the band are currently working their newest recording project for Sony Classical – Bach/Batá – combining the keyboard works of the master with Afro-Cuban percussion. This past summer, Sobol executive produced the interactive musical production, Miami Libre, featuring a cast of 25, including Tiempo Libre’s seven members. The show, based on the band’s collective immigrant experience and featuring its music, transformed The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami into a classic Cuban night club – complete with dancing by the cast and audience (or “club patrons”) and table and chairs instead of theatre seats. This fall, Tiempo Libre brings a dynamic Afro-Cuban beat to leading flutist Sir James Galway’s new album, O’Reilly Street, which will be released by the RCA Red Seal label on September 16th. The album features an exciting new Latin jazz arrangement of music from the Claude Bolling Jazz Suites including “Baroque and Blue”, as well as a timba take on Bach's “Badinerie” and a number of vibrant new compositions all by Tiempo Libre’s musical director and pianist Jorge Gomez. Tiempo Libre also recently collaborated with the highly-respected Venezuelan classical composer Ricardo Lorenz on a new composition Rumba Sinfónica for symphony orchestra and Cuban band, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Ravinia Festival and the Festival of the Arts Boca. Since its premiere in Minneapolis in November, 2007, Tiempo Libre has performed Rumba Sinfónica with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Portland (ME) Symphony and the San Antonio Symphony. Tiempo Libre’s first album was called Arroz con Mango – a Cuban slang expression referring to the unexpected things that can occur when you throw two very different things together. In a way it’s a metaphor for Sobol’s creative urges – whether it’s combining Bach with Batá or putting classical composer Kenneth Frazelle together with choreographer Bill T Jones (Sobol was involved in the production of Jones’s seminal work, Still/Here) or mixing Salsa - the music, not the food - with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Sobol was one of the co-producers of Los Sazones, a Salsa-reworking of the timeless classical favorite, which was premiered at the Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony). What propels Sobol? Perhaps it is a combination of curiosity and genetics. “I seem to have an inner force that compels me to look for connections in all facets of my life. This ‘gene’ has led me to creative decisions and solutions that have had very positive results. But, it always starts with the fundamental need to connect.” Sobol saw an opportunity for IMG Artists to go outside the traditional
roles that management and booking agencies play and engineered a unique alliance
with the Gorfaine Schwartz agency, the leading agency for film and television
composers. The partnership allows IMG Artists’ clients more opportunities
in the film and television world, while offering the Gorfaine/Schwartz roster
access to the global arena for live events. Most importantly, the venture
will provide a platform for artistic collaborations between composers, performing
artists, producers and other creative artists. Some of her best ideas come late at night when she is doing personal reading. She believes the most important key to being productive is listening to the body and mind, and to the extent possible, giving it what it needs to function best. The rest follows. As one would expect, calls to Europe take place in the morning, communications to U.S. are during the day, while the West Cost and Asia are taken care in the early afternoon and evening. That’s the easy part. With artists performing all over the globe every day of the year and projects brewing in every corner of the world, an open calendar doesn’t mean she won’t have one heck of a time dealing with concert cancellations, last minute editing problems, missing cargo, or unexpected crises, like when London airports banned all airline carry-ons. (Not being able to bring a 24-carat solid gold flute or a priceless Stradivarius violin onboard a flight was indeed a problem. No one in their right mind would consider putting an instrument like that in baggage!) There are the unpredictable elements – like receiving a call from an artist needing to cancel a week of concerts booked years ago because his first child is in the process of arriving two weeks ahead of schedule. With such a life, “telecommuter” might fit, but Sobol prefers “moving target” or “nomad.” She is quick to point out that the word “telecommuter” implies you work at one location and are doing it from another locus. Her work on the other hand, takes place all over the world. “As an artist manager, you represent people whose profession is a living, breathing process. So despite all the amazing remote communication technologies, you just can’t collaborate with an artist, or really understand their current work, by having that ‘phoned in.’ So I travel constantly for concerts and meetings. I reside in Miami, but feel ‘at home’ at offices in New York City, Los Angeles and London, and often times, many points in between, including of course, my home town of Kannapolis, North Carolina, near Charlotte,” she explains. Having such a routine, keeping a private and professional life separate are out of the question. Fortunately for Sobol, she is married to a musician, who like herself, was classically trained as a pianist. So their professional and personal lives together are commingled and fuel each other. Next to her husband and artists, solitude and books are her biggest source of inspiration. “As long as I can carve out time each day for reading and contemplation, I feel ‘balanced’” she says. With the proliferation of educational DVDs, online courses,
and colleges expanding their majors to include arts administration degrees,
Sobol still holds the “old school” stance that apprenticeship
and mentorship are the best ways to learn her business. She often jokes that
a good artist manager is a mix between a pop psychologist and travel agent.
But the truth of the matter is that the qualities that make one a great manager
can’t be learned from a course. While a solid knowledge of business
principles makes one a better manager, one can’t be taught certain “indefinables”
like spotting talent or shaping repertoire decisions or intuiting career next-steps.
In the end, Sobol insists that so much Sobol continues to be deeply grateful to Hamlen and Landau for the life and work lessons she learned from them. Their “open-door” policy fostered a sense of teamwork, sharing the hard work – and sharing equally in the triumphs and joys of the business. In a field like the arts, where opinions and valuation can be very subjective, Sobol understands the importance of validating colleagues’ hard work and achievements. And she understands how critical it is to maintain in the work place that sense of wonder and discovery that gives the arts their magic. In addition to sharing her knowledge and experience, she considers her biggest task and challenge to be helping to maintain a sense of engagement – sharing her own excitement about what she does, helping to invigorate the business dialogue within the office, and reminding everyone how lucky they are to be a part of this field. As one of the leading executives in the performing arts today,
she still gets jolts of excitement from making a deal. But, she adds, “the
real thrills always come when the curtain goes down on a glorious new production
that has moved people to tears, or you feel the collective in-take of breath
at a concert hall when a musician takes the audience deep and unexpectedly
inside the music and you think: ‘I am part of this.’” Monday, September 1, 2008 Xtreeme Cuban Salsa Weekend
Join us in a celebration with the Top timberos from the U.S.! Book your hotel!
DJ Melao is a world renowned Cuban Salsa and Timba DJ from Miami, FL who dedicates his work as a deejay to the promotion of Cuban music throughout the world. Melao is the official deejay of the world famous Cubamemucho Cuban Salsa Congress. As the deejay for the Cuban Salsa Congress, Melao’s work has gained the respect of his colleagues and some of the worlds top Cuban artists. Melao has been invited to work in some of the top venues throughout North America and Europe. Melao has also been invited to work/tour with top Cuban Salsa bands such as Los Van Van, Charanga Habanera, and Pupy y Los Que Son Son to name a few. Melao is known for ingniting dance floors with the hottest Timba music directly from the island of Cuba.
Henry Herrera coming to Corvallis! Aguamiel to provide amazing live Salsa
and Timba music!
Julian Mejia from Atlanta is coming
Duane and Maribel of Energetic Soul
are coming
Main gala night to be held at the beautiful Memorial Union Ballroom
at OSU Monday, September 1, 2008 Paulito F.G. concerts in Miami
Paulito will host three concerts in Miami this September/October. The first concert will be held on September 14th. The following two concerts will be in October with no official dates posted yet. Paulito will not be performing with his own band. Paulo will have a Miami based band which is being set up by one of his relatives in Miami. I am hoping we will see the lights of Miami locals Tomasito Cruz (90s Elite Conga) and Pepe Montes (Piano/co-producer of Un Poquito de Todo) both of whom were ex elite members in PFGs Miami band. The concerts will be held at Miami's club Ache which is located at 3600 SW 8th Street. For reservations call 305-213-5862. * Subject to Change
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 El Pikete
I've got you covered. Here is your first look of ex Bamboleo Yordamis Merget singing with El Pikete. Unfortunately Yordamis will not be able to attend the New Jersey show; but if you are ever in Miami make sure you check her out at Rice and Beans alongside El Pikete every Saturday night. * There were some lighting problems as I recorded the video.
Don't miss El Pikete alongside ex Pupy y Los Que Son Son's star singer Pepito Gomez Sunday, August, 31 at Studio 45 in New Jersey. For more info call 718-733-7163.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Rumor
Sources tell me that Manolito is already recording a new album in Havana. Maybe he was not to happy with the last release? Here is a live performance of Manolito's latest single "La Habana me llama".
Friday, August 22, 2008 Yordamis
Miami Timba Star Yordamis Merget has joined El Pikete. I love this new addition to El Pikete. To the left we have Haney the young and very talented "Haila like" sonera. To the right we have the ex Bamboleo Yordamis who is a very beautiful and Charismatic timbera who has several years of experience in the Timba scene. And in the middle we have Xavier Milli who reminds me of Alain Daniel. El Pikete is starting to look like the reincarnation of the Bamboleo of the late 90s. This line up should be a very interesting one. It is also a lineup Miami timba fans should support, and not take for granted. El Pikete will be at Rice and Beans this Saturday: 7500 NW 25th St # 103 Friday, August 22, 2008 Havana in Alaska
Review by Julian Mejia of
http://www.salsatlanta.com: Havana in Alaska, a Salsa cruise organized by Mary Christensen, Felix Bambury Webbe and Victoria Hadar Harel. We departed Vancouver on Wednesday August 13th and arrived Anchorage Alaska on Wednesday August 20th. From the day of embakation to the last day, about 80 people from all over participated on one of the best trips ever, a whole week of the best salsa parties, great new friends and dance workshops, from Son, musicality to Afro Cuban and Samba dances. On Wednesday the 13th by 5PM we were all on board of the Carnival Spirit, a 88,500 tons ship, with more than 2,500 people on in. By 6PM our salsa group was dancing and getting to know each other at the Cool Club Lounge. DJ "Melao" was in charged of keeping of dancing all the time with the best Salsa, Son and specially Timba. By 8:30 PM we were meeting daily for dinner and at 10:30 pm
all back to the Cool Club Lounge or the Lido Deck for more dancing. On our day in Juneau after a day of seeing bears, salmon, glaciers, whales and many other things we finished the day by teaching and dancing at the Salsa Festival at the Centennial Hall in downtown Juneau. We loved the people in town, their energy. We did the largest Rueda in Alaska. 86 Couples or something like that. I want to thank the organizers: Mary, Felix and Victoria, Dj Melao, instructors, but more specially to all the students who participated on this event. Without you this would had not been possible. For those who missed it, I recommend you to contact Mary and ask here about next year's Cruise. You can find the photos from each day at: Friday, August 22, 2008 Salsa Mayor
Maikel Blanco has released his new album "Anda y Pegate" with the lable Plantea Records who is practically releasing every major Timba album coming out of Cuba. The lable is located in Italy and it it also working with Prodland music who is based in Miami.I highly recomend this album which is great for the casineros and dancers of the world. Maikel is no longer with Envidia records. The story is that the last Maikel Blanco album "Me olvide quien era" which was released through Envidia contained the last of the material that was owned by Envidia records.
Timba con Melao would like to recognize all those people who contribute in spreading this music we love to vast audiences worldwide. This year we want you guys to decide who deserves to take the title of TCM Timba.com Pioneer of the year. All the nominees have already been recognized as true pioneers in my book; but I want you to decide who the leader of the pack was this year. I have a genuine appreciation for the work and countless amount of hours that these promoters/managers/etc. have put into the promotion of Timba this year. I feel it is very important to give credit where credit is due. Que viva la Timba! Timba o Muerte ... Venceremos! Let's continue to take things to another level and lets win this fight together! *Nominees* Most important Pioneer of Timba (out of Cuba) 1. Rafael Sonnenschein of Cubamemucho (organizer of the worldwide Cuban Salsa congress) 2. Elizabeth Sobol of Tiempo Libre (Manager of what I consider the most important Timba band in the world; Miami Libre; Grammy Nominee) 3. Juan Carlos/Sophie Giraud of Cuba in Toronto (Organizers of the only Timba North America has seen in years) 4. Anejo Productions of San Francisco's La Tropical (Longtime promoters of the hottest Timba spot in the U.S.) 5. Mary Christensen of Havana in Alaska (Organizer of the first ever Timbero's cruise to Alaska) Vote Now  Rafael Sonnenschein Elizabeth Sobol Juan Carlos/ Sophie Giraud Anejo Productions Mary ChristensenCreate a Poll Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Tony Succar
a message from Mario de Leon promoter of viernes sociales. The idea of the event is to bring the music back to the crowd that loves it. Bringing the musician face to face with the music lovers. I try to only use bands who are working on their career and are bringing some of their own music into the market, Original compositions. I believe what happens is that the underground musicians innovate and evolve the music and it then gets reproduced by the same faces with the financial backing and sometimes not even correctly. Past events have featured El Pikete, Dayron, and Xavier Milli among others. This week it's Tony Succar followed by the explosive timba of N'taya. Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Upcoming dates!
DJ Melao @ Alcazaba Night Club (Coral Gables, FL) DJ Melao @ Havana in Alaska Cruise (August 13-20th) Tuesday, July 29, 2008 Miami Libre
I had the privilege of going to see Miami Libre today. Miami Libre is a musical that brings people the true story of the struggles that so many Cuban artists face in their journey from Havana to Miami. It is a story that represents many of us Timba fans who fight for the music we love everyday. It is a story that can open peoples eyes and ears. It is a story that is true, and 100% authentic! It is a full force of Timba (with the grammy nominated Tiempo Libre), killer dancing (ENA Dancers), and a compelling storyline with two very charismatic young actors Jencarlos Canela and Everlayn Borges. This is the dream musical for any Timba fan. It is the acclaimed Havana Night multiplied by two! Tiempo Libre and Elizabeth Sobol have prooven to be the most important Timba band in the world! Tiempo Libre is breaking barriers and introducing this music we love to vast audiences across the U.S. in ways we never imagined. Not only are they introducing Timba music to audiences worldwide; but they are educating college students all across america. We can only hope that Miami Libre continues to be as successful as it has been in Miami throughout places like Broadway, Las Vegas, and even Europe. If you are in Miami between July 25th- August 17th do not miss this major event. Thank you Elizabeth Sobol! Thank you Tiempo Libre! Thank you for putting Timba in the spotlight across the U.S.! Hopefully Miami Libre will feature a soundtrack on sale with some of Tiempo Libre's new songs!
Monday, July 28, 2008 Juventino appears
Here is new footage of Juventino performing his new song and being interviewed by Alexis Valdes on Miami T.V.
Thursday, July 24, 2008 Se pareze aquel
Dut to all the attention Pupy is getting for his new song "Se pareze aquel" I decided to share this rare footage of the song being performed by the band with Pepito right before his departure. The way this song was performed was something special to me. El maestro himself asked me to play the studio version of the song as he trusted that I would be able to mix it in with the band as they were performing it going into their second set. Here is the last part of the song. Enjoy!
Thursday, July 24, 2008 Xavier Mili
The latest news to hit the Miami scene is the Xavier Mili solo project! Xavier brings some straight up silky smooth timba full of flavor. The band brings the perfect blend of Salsa and Timba which is a great recipe for sucess in Miami. The band is already catching Miami's attention as they will be highlighting the annual Miami Salsa Congress as the guest band this year. I highly recomend you check out this group if you are in Miami. I will keep you guys posted with videos, pics, and more. For more on Xavier Mili click here. Check out Xavier Mili and his band live below on Melaovision.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Miami Libre Timba Con Melao wants to know who your favortie timba singer is. VOTE NOW!
Mayito Rivera
Michel Maza
Roberton Van Van
Amaray
Lele
Alexander Abreu
Paulito F.G.
El Noro
Tirso Duarte
Mandy Cantero
Leo Vera
Aned Mota
Yeni Van Van
Alain Daniel
Tania Pantoja
Yulien Oviedo
Pepito GomezCreate a Poll Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Miami Libre
'Miami Libre': Original Miami production captures the Cuban
immigrant life The story mirrors that of Gomez, whose Tiempo Libre has earned critical acclaim and produced two Latin Grammy-nominated albums. Gomez came to Miami by plane in 2000 after five years in Guatemala, instead of on a raft directly from Cuba. He struggled at first, working as a gardener and house painter. He played with Mexican bands in Palm Beach, and when he got a job with Cuban singer Albita, he would spend more than $100 in taxi fare to get to rehearsal because he didn't have a car. ''At the beginning it was difficult not to lose hope,'' Gomez says. ``But I knew that music was the only thing that could help me.'' Timba, the intense, intricate dance music of 1990s Cuba, had already brought Gomez and many of his countrymen through the ''special period'' of economic chaos and despair on the island. ''[Timba] was our support in a difficult situation,'' Gomez says. ``If we didn't have anything to eat, at least there was timba to listen to. If there was nothing to do, there was timba to dance to. If there was no work, we played to have fun and forget our pains. And on coming to the United States we wanted people to know this story, not just this musical style, but this part of our lives.'' Gomez found a supporter in Elizabeth Sobol, who fell in love with Cuban music in 1999 and went from managing famed classical music clients like Itzhak Perlman as a managing director of IMG Artists agency to working with Cuban artists in Miami in 2002. Sobol was moved not only by the band's music, but also by the stories of Gomez and his compatriots. She was convinced that, coupled with the enthusiastic reaction of audiences around the country to Tiempo Libre shows, their music and experience could have wide appeal. ''These stories are so powerful,'' says Sobol. ``They're universal immigrant stories. A lot of people have told the story of Cuba up to 1960, the golden age. No one has told the story of what has happened since then, or what's happening now. These are people who left everything behind, and through love and faith and hard work they're triumphing. It's an American story.'' One of the few Miami Libre performers not born in Cuba is its star, 20-year old Cuban-American Jencarlos Canela, who plays Pepito. An actor in the popular Telemundo novela Pecados Ajenos, a budding recording artist and a sometime model, Canela, whose father came from Cuba on the Mariel boatlift, says he's been both inspired and humbled at being in this show. ''I am very proud to be American, but that doesn't change the fact that my parents and my roots are from Cuba,'' Canela says. ``This has been a huge awakening for me. The responsibility is so big. It's honoring not only those who came for a better life but those who never made it.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/theater/story/609488.html Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Cubamemucho
Dear fans and new friends of Cubamemucho, You can still get Weekend full passes at the door. Available
only during Registration time Friday, 01.August from 7pm until 10pm and
on At this point we would like to congratulate Lloyd Dunkley and
Sharon Franchise me. CUBAMEMUCHO is the World Tour of Cuban salsa congresses, Cubamemucho is the success story and franchise concept, the
world tour We will end the summer of 2008 in the south of France, Toulouse,
the 2009: If you can't await Cubamemucho, then have a look at the following
video Cubamemucho - the World Tour of Cuban Salsa Congresses. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 For the DJs (updated)
As things continue to change in the Timba world there is more and more evidence of DJs getting the recognition they deserve for pushing a genre of music which gets very little radio play. Italy's Ciclon Cubano has recorded a song with DJ Ivan El Samurai , Miami's Pepe Montes, and Nicholas Martinez dedicated to Timba DJs. The song talks about how DJs and artists are the perfect combination to keep this music we love going and strong. Just this year three songs have came out with references to DJs; but this is the first time we actually have a fellow DJ sing on the track. To all my DJs out there keep supporting Cuban Timba and keep the music alive! My thanks to my friends of El Ciclon Cubao for showing an appreciation of what us DJs do. Sunday, July 6, 2008 Juventino
The latest artist to exile towards Miami is Juventivo aka "El chico divino" singer/dancer from la Charanga Habanera known for his latest single "Me Palpita". I can see a future for Juve as a professional dancer for video shoots, congresses, choreographies workshops etc. Juve was a graduate from la ENA as a dancer. This guy can be a pop star at any level as a singer/dancer in Miami. Thursday, July 3, 2008 Timba Poll Who
is your favorite Los Que Son Son singer?
Mandy Cantero
Pepito Gomez
Tirso Duarte
Other(View Results) Create a Poll Thursday, July 3, 2008 Lily
Pupy's new female lead singer Lily sings Dicen que dicen which was originally sung by Pepito.
Monday, June 30, 2008 Review of myself at SOBs
* Pic of Shabi, DJ Melao, and Lani @ SOBs Its the first time I find a review of myslef DJing online so I decided to share it with you guys. My fellow timba geek Shabi took the time to write a review about me. Thank you Shabz! Dj Melao didn't just rock the house, it was even better than that. I love all my timba dj’s from my first love Dj Gary to the amazing Reyna, Dj Walt in San Francisco and Saoco in LA, Medina in NY. I was looking forward to hearing Melao because I love his blog and I think the dedication he has in Miami promoting the music we love is amazing. We sat through a band that was not our style at SOB’s just to hear him between sets. I didn’t regret it for a second because he played some of the best timba I have ever heard. Not just some amazing rare classics but new songs I didn’t know existed, a wide range of artists and lots of live tracks. Timba, for me is a live art and there are too few live tracks or so I thought. This DJ has so much random, amazing live timba that I proposed marriage to him for his CD collection… Ha ha ha, but seriously thanks Melao for making it a really unforgettable night in NY. I really hope we can have you back here again very soon!!! Thursday, June 19, 2008 Cruise with Issac
Labor Day Cruise DEPARTURE: AUGUST 29, 2008 ISAAC DELGADO IN CONCERT! ITINERARY: Miami • Cococay • Nassau • Miami Thursday, June 19, 2008 Tiempo Libre
Tiempo Libre will be back at JAZID (Miami) Saturday, June 28 Thursday, June 19, 2008 Latest on Pupy
Pupy himslef has asked me to share the news that he has found a new singer for the group by the name of Michel (not Maza). He will begin singing with the band after they arrive from their upcoming tour. Ex Los Que Son Son singer Jannier will be covering as the third vocal due to Pepito's departure on the upcoming tour. Friday, June 13, 2008 DJ Melao in New York on 6/20!
*Melaos photos were done by Eli Silva (Timba Con Melao photographer) Friday, June 13, 2008 The other half
Maikel brings us his sophomore Suprema Ley release which brings a different sound than what we are accustomed to hearing from Salsa Mayor. La sumprema ley has more of a traditional feel then that of the Salsa Mayor timba explosion. What I do find interesting is that Maikel decided to add the unreleased gem of Mi China Gladis on this album which is generally no so timba. It looks like Maikel will be busy this year as he will be releasing the Sumprema Ley and Salsa Mayor albums this year. More details on both albums coming soon. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Vanessa Formell
Miami T.V. held a heated debate last week between Vanessa Formell and Pocholo on La Cosa Nostra. This is type of crap you have to deal with in Miami when you have the name Formell. Can somebody tell me if the name Formell comes with a lable that says "I hate Miami ... long live comunism" or something like that? Why do my people have to be so ignorant? What I can say is that Vanessa Formell has took on the debate face to face and is representing many of us who share the idea of freeing the music from politics. Thank you Vanessa Formell for representing so many of us! Watch part one of the debate below.
Vanessa will have a historic concert on June 28th along with her mother Martha Medina and her brother Guianko as well. I hope my readers go and support her!
Sunday, June 1, 2008 Pepito in Miami
Last night ex Pupy y los que son son star singer Pepito made his first on stage appearance in Miami after leaving his fellow band during Pupy's Canadian tour. It was only a week ago that he was singing La Borrachera on stage with Los que son son and now he is on stage jamming in Miami next to El Pikete. Pepito just mesmerized Miami's audience the second he grabbed the mic. Like the great one's, Pepito has that magical ability to sing and bring chills down your spine the second he drops a verse. Cuba you lost a great singer ... Miami you better figure out what to do with him! As always Melao's got the footage for you to enjoy on Melaovision below.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Pupy!
Being on tour with Pupy y los que son son will probably be one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life, and as usual I will share videos with all of you so that you can visually capture some of the magic of being on tour with the guys, concert footage, and interviews. I had the privilege of listening to the entire new album next to el maestro himself and boy was I blown away. I promise this will be the most explosive releases of the year. The album features a little bit of everything. It should be released in a couple of months. I have added two new songs from the album which I will be promoting above in my media player. One of the songs is not a very friendly song called "No soy yo" which is directed towards Maikel Blanco of Salsa Mayor and groups in Cuba who have been imitating/copying Pupy's and others music in Cuba. The other promo track is "Nadie Puede Contra eso" which talks about the fact that what is god given no one can take away. Those are two very interesting tracks which I decided to share with you guys although I know some of you are probably drueling with the clip of the new Van Van single "Arrasando" which I also added above. All three concerts were high in energy and lasted nearly three hours each. The tour was a very well organized and I would like to give credit to Juan Carlos and Sophie Giraud from Cubaintoronto.com for putting together a magnificant tour and continuoulsy promoting Cuban music throughout Canada. Well sit back and relax as I take you through a variety of different videos on Melaovision below. *Dont forget to check out track 2 and 4 of my media player above.
Interviews:
Rehearsal:
Concert Footage:
Thursday, May 22, 2008 Havana in Alaska
TIME IS RUNNING OUT SO BOOK NOW AND GO PARTY WITH ME IN THE TIMBA ADVENTURE OF THE YEAR!!!! Just when I thought I had heared it all !!! HAVANA IN ALASKA !!! Casineros!!!
Put on your dance shoes and head to Alaska! Go to www.havanainalaska.com for more information. Email
us if you have questions: Tuesday, May 20, 2008: Cristobal joins El Pikete
The recently spotted in Miami Cristobal (ex Trabuquero) has added a combination of a trumpet and trombone to Miami's timba powerhouse El Pikete. Cristobal would like to share a few words with Timba fans worldwide on Melaovision below.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008: Ntaya @ Kristal
In Miami this friday? missing Pupy ... Dont worry! You will have plenty of hardcore timba to dance to with N'Taya this Friday @ Club Kristal located on 10855 SW 72nd Street. Call 305-274-1112 for more. Thursday, May 15, 2008: Miami Timba All Stars
I decided to entertain the idea of my own Miami Timba All Star fantasy lineup. Here is is. ENJOY! MELAO'S FANTASY MIAMI TIMBA ALL STAR LINEUP! Vocals: Haney y Xavier (pikete) email me your thoughts to djmelao21@aol.com Thursday, May 15, 2008: Casino born in 1938?
Here is some newly found footage of what some argue to be the earliest footage of Cuban Casino style salsa dancing. You decide? Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
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