Mayito Rivera "El Poeta de la Rumba" photo courtesy of mayitorivera.net

Editor's Note: A venerable rumba poet and former lead vocalist of the legendary Cuban band Los Van Van, the now solo artist Mario "Mayito" Rivera joins the blog writing team here at TIMBA.com to bring us a fresh perspective from a singer's point of view.  Here, in his first article, we begin to recognize his direction and fundamental philosophy, and like all of you, we highly anticipate his views and comments. We will provide Mayito with uncensored support and sincerely hope you all enjoy his new column.

Nota del redactor: El poeta de la rumba, ex-cantante del la legendaria orquesta cubana Los Van Van, y ahora un artista solista, Mario "Mayito" Rivera, se una al grupo de escritores de TIMBA.com para traerles la persepectiva y punto de vista de un sonero y intérprete del género. Aquí, en su primer artículo, empezamos a reconocer su dirección y concepto fundamental, y como todos ustedes, esperamos sus opiniones y observaciones con mucha anticipación. Le brindamos el apoyo a Mayito sin censura. Que lo disfruten.

Resulta difícil analizar con certeza todo lo que está pasando dentro del mundo musical, tantos y tantos proyectos en todos los rincones del universo, todos tratando de abrir caminos y crecer. Es digno de admirar, de verdad es algo muy serio a tener en cuenta...y me detengo aquí, para hacer una observación que pocas veces decimos aunque en verdad creo que casi todos valoramos y sabemos. Me quiero referir al honor que representa para CUBA, para nuestra cultura en particular, el fenómeno mundial que se ha desatado a partir de la música cubana bailable...llamase son, timba , rumba y otros géneros. Se trata simplemente del solo hecho de HACER BAILAR, hermosa contribución al patrimonio universal de la humanidad, hoy el mundo BAILA, el mundo se mueve, con el ritmo de los cubanos...de nuestra humilde tierra, encerrada y asediada por las carencias materiales de todo tipo, carencias que todos los que allí vivimos sabemos y conocemos, hasta la hemos aprendido a soportar y casi tengo la seguridad que se ha convertido en un GAME para the daily life del cubano...

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Every village has its idiot, and this one had a couple of them running about in the audience, but that didn't bother the 99.9% of the people who understood that the object was to celebrate, and celebrate they did.  The neighbors were all invited too, and they came to the party in droves.  Festival Cubano gave Chicago a much-needed Timba fix while scratching the itch for traditionalists and the youngsters as well, and for that, we salute it. 

Click here for part 1 of our coverage with a story and photo gallery.  Part 2 will follow soon.

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On Tuesday, August 6 at 7:30pm, Cuban percussionist/composer Enildo Rasua will be performing at the Jazz Standard in a quartet with Troy Roberts on saxophone, Ben Winkleman on piano and Ricky Rodriguez on bass.   Enildo is the creator of the "Third Hand" technique which uses three drumsticks to play both drum kit and other percussion instruments at the same time.  Enildo's career covers a lot of ground both as a performer and an instructor, and this should be worth checking out. 

On Wednesday, August 7 at 9:30 pm, 11:00 pm and 1:00 am, composer/pianist Osmany Paredes, another artist in the new wave of Cuban Jazz musicians shaking things up in New York, will be performing at the Zinc Bar with his quartet. Osmany's early career included time with Charanga America, Enrique Jorrin and Bobby Carcasses. He later founded the group Menduvia and now leads the Osmany Paredes Quartet.  He has also performed in several prominent groups, and this performance is also worth checking out. 

It is also worth keeping an eye on the calendars of both of these clubs because they have become two of the most important venues for this music in New York. 

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Are we having fun yet?  Yes we are...

Despite dire warnings from a very small handful of self-appointed members of the Purity Of Our Party Patrol that the presence of a non-native taco here, an alcapurria there and the inclusion of some non-Cuban musicians in the entertainment roster would inflict irreparable emotional trauma on attendees, a very large crowd had a very good time at Festival Cubano last night in Chicago.  We'll bring you a full report in a couple of days, but if you are in or near Chicago, get there today, the last day of the Festival. Timbalive, Cachao Mambo All Stars, hey, if you aren't already hooked yet, go to thecubanfestival.com for the rest of the lineup, where and when its at etc. and that should finish the job.  

(What are those weird blotches in the center by Alfredo's head?  We don't know either, but we decided to leave them in because they remind us of our favorite science fiction movies, and we're curious to see whether anyone accuses him of being from the 8th dimension now.  We'll have crisp, blemish-free pictures of him and the band for you in a couple of days...)

One of the highlights was when Alfredo de la Fe, wired for sound, took his violin out into the crowd to solo.The crowd went crazy, and it got more fired up after that as the evening progressed. By the time Jerry Rivera was on, it was like a Rock concert, but in a good way. 

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