Pedrito Calvo Jr. & Su Orquesta

Pedrito Calvo Jr. has literally spent his life among Havana's musical elite. In addition to his academic music training, he has witnessed firsthand the life and work of one of Cuba's most poular and charismatic singers, his father Pedrito Calvo, ex-Van Van lead singer and now director of Pedrito Calvo y La Justicia. In 2009 after a 13-year career during which he shared the stage with musicians such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Pio Leyva, Los Van Van, Amadito Valdés and Barbarito Torres, PC Jr. formed his own orchestra, based in Italy. In 2 short years the band has released a number of singles as well as the album Mi Fiesta Latina . They have also performed in France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Mexico, Venezuela, Poland, Denmark, Austria and in Cuba. For more infomation about the band including photos and videos, check out the new Timba.com section for Pedrito Calvo Jr y Su Orquesta .

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     Sierra Maestra has been around almost 35 years (a relatively young band compared to Aragon or Septeto Nacional, but they've been around long enough to know a thing or three) and is one of the keepers of the flame of traditional Son. They will be kicking off their US tour in Chicago on Thursday, July 14th at 6:30pm with an outdoor concert in Millennium Park followed by an indoor set on Friday,  July 15th at 9:00pm  at the Mayne Stage in Chicago. 

They were nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2010, and we'll be doing a review of their 2010 CD, Sonando Ya  in the near future. (Photo by Bart Madjeski supplied by City of Chicago)

          Michelle White has posted their tour schedule in the Giras/Tours   section, and we hope to be able to do a live interview with them once they hit town.

     We are also doing some serious listening to a sneak preview of Maraca's new jazz CD Reencuentros,  recorded recently  by Maraca and his Latin Jazz All Stars (and there really is an interesting collection of heavy hitters in the lineup).    We dig it, and in the near future, we'll be telling you all about why.    Stay tuned.  In fact, you should do that literally - Maraca also has a dance CD in the works, and we have a sneak preview of that as well, Preguntale A Mi Mujer , in Timba.com's Radio   section. Check it out, and if you can, catch them live on tour.     

          Kevin Moore turned us on to this review of Maraca's show at the Napa Valley Opera House:
Napa Valley Register review of Maraca

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photo by Tom Ehlrich

Yikes - this guy is really amazing. His plane arrived just in time to get him there for the second set at Yoshi's SF, which began with a long exchange of solos between José and Maraca that electrified the crowd and the band. And he also sings in a soaring high tenor with great phrasing, intonation and stage presence - unbelievable. One more night at Yoshi's tonight - then a whole string of concerts across the US. See you there! There's another foto if you click "continue reading".

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Click here for Tom Ehrlich's First Gallery (more coming soon) 

The airline lost their bags but even in street clothes Otra Visión brought down the house, with encores demanded for each set. It was a thrill to finally hear El Nene live - he has a soaring voice that reminds me of Kalunga, writes great songs, and is also an excellent improviser. In fact, every member of this band is a brilliant improviser, from ISA-graduate piano phenom Andy Rubal, to Irakere alumnus Alfred Thompson, to Maraca himself. Check timba.com radio for a new timba track recorded by the group only days before the tour for their upcoming CD, Suspendan los comentarios. Maraca also has a new all-star jazz CD/DVD coming for which we'll have a review and interview from Bill Tilford when the Maraca show hits Chicago.

Great New Photographer - The latest luminary to grace our Photography section is Bohdan Kiszczuk of BWK Photography. His pages are under construction but so far there are great galleries of Los Van Van, Klímax and Charanga Habanera in Montreal.

José Miguel Watch - José's visa came through and he'll be at the 2nd show tonight.

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