I spoke with Tirso and he confirms that the show at La Boom in Queens (718-204-2069) will indeed happen. Also, tomorrow, Tirso (not sure about Mayito) will also be with HdP in Bergen NJ at Maunaloa (888-584-3070). The caveat is that both shows are likely to start very late, so be prepared. It will be worth it. Call the clubs for updates.

Unlike many ill-advised all-star combinations that wind up being musically inferior to a straight show by a rehearsed band, Tirso and Mayito are ideally suited for this kind of situation. Think of Tirso's legendary appearance with Issac on Dec. 31, 1999 at Casa de la Música, or Mayito's equally brilliant cameo on the legendary live version of Solar de la California in April of 2000 at Marina Hemingway (that's Bombón on drums). Add to this the fact that at the beginning of his career Tirso's voice was compared to Mayito's leading to the famous line on Pupy's version of La bomba soy yo.

yo canto con mi garganta
[I sing with my throat - it sounds much more poetic in Spanish!]
tengo limpia mi conciencia 
[I have a clean conscience]
y si hay cualquier semejanza
[and if there's some resemblance]
eso es pura coincidencia
[it's pure coincidence] [audio example]

The combination of these two on the same stage has the potentional to rival the legendary "Controversia" performance of Cándido Fabré and Paulito FG.

I hear the backup band is pretty good too. [Kevin Moore]

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Lots of pix and a writeup coming up next week.  Right now, I have a concert to enjoy.  This band and the crowd are both going wild. If you're out East, catch it while you can.  And San Francisco, I love you, but you can still go to Hell.  New York and New Jersey are happening right now!  [Bill Tilford]

Havana d' Primera - Photo by Bill Tilford - Sent live directly from SOBs

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Preliminary reports coming in now.... It's looking like San Francisco is undoubtedly the capital of Timba in the United States. Even the beach town of Santa Cruz - one hour south of San Fran - outsells mid-town Manhattan in metropolitan New York.

No Tirso Duarte, no Charanga Habanera...guests include pianist Alex Tosca and an ex-Muñequitos singer. A pumped-up crowd going absolutely crazy over a brilliant show by Alexander Abreu & Havana D' Primera. The band is in incredible shape. 

Havana D'Primera will be there (SOB's) tomorrow night. They are on fire and not to be missed. In regards to anything else your guess is as good as ours.

Alexander Abreu y Havana D'Primera - Photo by Tom Ehrlich

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: If you're within striking distance of Manhattan, Queens or Bergen, go see Havana D' Primera - it doesn't get better than this and no amount of mixing and matching will make it any better. If whoever shows up and some special magic happens, all the better, but go to see Havana D' Primera because it's simply the tightest, most professional, most creative, and God knows, the most SOULFUL Cuban band you're going to see for a long long time.

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Today we received notice of this last-minute change for the upcoming SOBs Havana D' Primera shows. El Charanguero Mayor Tirso Duarte replaces Charanga Habanera at SOBs. Ironically, for some this is a much better pairing of talents. Be sure to say hello to our Chicago correspondent Bill Tilford as he is covering the event now.

Important notice for Charanga Habanera fans: refunds are being processed so call SOBs at 212.243.4940 with your request.

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