click here for tickets -- oprima aquí para taquillas

VAYA CALENTANDO LOS MOTORES para Havana D' Primera en Nueva York Junio 5 y 6. This CD Release Party from Ex-NG La Banda singer Gerardo Contino features special guests Xiomara Laugart (vocalist) and percussionist Luisito Quintero. In Cuba, Gerardo also sang with Charanga Forever and Son Yoruba. The gig will take place at the World Music Institute on 509 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Tix are only $25.

Here's a short list of the musicians joining Gerardo: Axel Tosca Laugart (piano) - John Benítez (bass) - Roberto Quintero (Congas) - Luisito Quintero (Drums & Timbal). Pianists Oriente López and Manuel Varela will also make an appearance. 

Here's a cool video of Gerardo singing "La Chica Red Bull" with his NYC band. Axel Tosca and John Benítez are in the video as well. Video courtesy of our friend Martin Cohen (Congahead). 

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continue reading Pa' Ponerte en Talla

2012 was an excellent vintage for recordings from Cubans both in Cuba and around the world, and the nominees in Cubadisco 2013 reflect this fact.  Timba.com is pleased to shine a spotlight on the categories of greatest interest to our visitors in addition to the entire official list of nominees. To read the article in English, click here.

2012 fue una excelente cosecha para las grabaciones de los cubanos tanto en Cuba como en todo el mundo, y los nominados en Cubadisco 2013 reflejan este hecho. Timba.com se complace en ofrecer un enfoque en las categorías de mayor interés para nuestros visitantes, además de toda la lista oficial de los nominados.Para leer el articulo en español, haz clic aquí.

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

For some time now I have been continuing to call Havana the Capital of Timba. But I am beginning to think it's time for me to look at this as the Roman Empire with two Capitals: Havana = Rome and Lima = Constantinople. Another serious timba band has been making waves in Lima: La Timba Criolla. The band writes their own material with a classic 90s timba feel and professional production and presentation. 

LTC is made up of a combination of Cuban and Peruvian musicians, some with a conservatory background and others "timberos naturales". Director and pianist Jairo Betancourt, bassist Amarat Stuart Aguila and drummer Manuel Alejandro Moreno "Hueso" are all alumni of Michel Maza y la Tentación. Lead singer Anthony Muzantes is a well-known Peruvian singer as well as being the composer/arranger of the songs. I am very impressed with his work. He is only 20 years old but you can tell that he knows his timba! Other band members: Williams Nicasio "Macarito" - congas and Percy "Chincilla" - djembe/campana are both from Peru Negro and the percussion is rounded off by well-known Peruvian percussionist Marco Antonio Di Maria. The horn section consists of two trumpets, trombone and sax: Roman Coronado, Pedrito Meza, Fernando Shimabuku and Juancito Rondon. Coristas are Adhemir Charun Rivas and Jerson Jeff. 

La Timba Criolla will be releasing their CD "Llegó el Timbón" next month, so stay tuned for more information about the band. In the meantime I leave you with a taste of LTC en Vivo! A gozar!

La Timba Criolla live @ Persepolis 2013

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

Contrabando is one of Europe's leading timba bands. Under the direction of Andrés Fernández "El Paísa", Contrabando has released two CDs and has maintained a steady flow of gigs. They will be touring Europe all summer. Click here to find a concert near you. Check out the video below to see what you have to lok forward to.

Contrabando Live @ "Aquí Cuba" 2012

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continue reading Timbera Mayor