LATEST BREAKING NEWS: 

HdP arrives tomorrow and all systems go for the 5 San Francisco shows - their first shows ever in the United States. TICKETS HERE

All-night tickets for Friday and Saturday are sold out, but some tickets for individual shows remain.

Sunday show will be 3 hours of music for $45, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Alain Pérez will be with Paco de Lucia in Oakland on Friday and will tentatively be at Yoshi's during the second set.

Incredibly, no other cities seem to have booked HdP - what's up with that?

See you in SF!

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continue reading La Última

According to a few sources including an announcement from ACN (Agencia Cubana de Noticias), the nominees for the Cubadisco 2012  awards are out  and include some Timba groups worth mentioning. For the Música Popular Bailable Actual (Current Popular Dance Music) category, the nominees include Acabaito de Nacer by David Calzado y Su Charanga Habanera, La Maquinaria by Juan Formell y Los Van Van, Todo Es Posible by Wil Campa y su Orquesta, Siempre Pupy by Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Al Fin by Mónika Mesa and La Timba Pa' To' El Mundo  by Miami's  own Timbalive.  
The awards program will take place Saturday, May 19 at the Teatro Karl Marx in Havana.   Some other nominees of interest include 30 Años de Son 14 (by  Son 14)  and Mis 22 Años (by NG La Banda) in the Premio Especial (Special Award) category, and a special nomination (Nominación Especial)  for Chucho's Steps by Chucho Valdés.
In the Música De Archivo category (of special interest to collectors), two of the five nominees include Ritmo Oriental's Colección Agrupaciones Bailables Orquesta Ritmo Oriental and a collection called Origenes.  Eduardo Ramos con el Grupo Experimentación Sonora (del ICAIC).
A number of interesting Jazz and Folkloric nominees also turn up on the list.  For a complete listing, see
Cubadisco 2012 Nominees
Congratulations to all of the nominees but especially to Timbalive for this tangible reminder that world-class Timba truly is a global phenomenon now including in the United States.  

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

I "met" Billy probably about 10 years ago. He is one of my Internet timba friends to whom I feel very close, although we have never met in person, and in recent years we have dropped out of touch. If you've been a follower of the world timba scene for the past several years, you are probably familiar with his blog, MisterBryans. For six years his blog was the absolute leading source of information on what was happening within Cuban music and dance in the rapidly-growing Canadian scene. He began traveling to Cuba back in the early 90s and has worked with musicians such as Telmary and Alberto Alberto.

But Billy's illustrious musical career began long before timba. He began working as a professional musician 40 years ago. He may be best known in Canada as the drummer of the Parachute Club. He has also worked as a promoter, DJ and publicist, not only in Cuban music but also with African and Brazilian music.

Five years ago Billy fought and won a bought with lung cancer. Sadly he is ill again. Now Canada's musical community is rallying behind the man who has given so much to them, and to the world, with a Rumbón for Billy Bryans this Thursday April 19 at Lula Lounge. Billy has worked closely with Lula Lounge over the years, DJing there quite often for Timba events. All funds from the event will go to help cover Billy's expenses. The rumbón will include a dance lesson, dance performances and a concert by Alex Cuba. For more information and to book a table see Lula's website.

And, Billy, on behalf of all of your friends around the world who can't be there on Thursday, I send you our love and our good vibes. Take care of yourself!

Billy on drums with Parachute Club - Rise up!

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

This film is currently making the rounds of festivals in several cities including Chicago and New York.  Is it worth seeing?  Read our review here...

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na