photo by Tom Ehrlich - Yerba Buena Gardens - 2007

We've lost one of the all-time greats. Master percussionist Armando Peraza played with Machito, Pérez Prado, Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, George Shearing, Carlos Santana and many others during his 89 years. He lived in the Bay Area for the last 40 years and in addition to being a genius, he was a wonderful guy who offered support and inspiration to everyone around him. He'll be sorely missed. 

Tom Ehrlich's 2007 Gallery - LP Percussion Bio Page - Wikipedia Bio

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continue reading La Última

Angelito Ramírez y El Tren Bala Live in Lima

Lima continues to make its presence felt on the international timba scene. Ángel Ramírez y El Tren Bala have begun work on their debut CD, which will be titled "Mi historia". They released their first single, "Amigo de qué" this week at YouTube and it is already in rotation on the Timba DJs playlists. The CD is being recorded on the Bambu Records label.

Angelito achieved international fame as the charismatic singer for Barbaro Fines y Su Mayimbe. Last year he left to start his own project together with musical director Amarat Aguila Stuart, who worked in Cuba with such Timba bands as Michel Maza, Bamboleo, Pachito Alonso y Sus Kini Kini, among others. We have uploaded an official biography to Angelito's musician page. Click here to find out more about him.

The single is not available for download yet, but you can check it out at YouTube. Get ready because El Tren Bala is coming! 

Contact & Info:
Renzo Rey Urcia Lucana
Manager/Representative
+51 997081977
+51 981 539 11

E-mail: angelitoramirez.trenbala@gmail.com
Facebook: Angel Ramírez

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

Cubadisco 2014 is approaching soon - the nominations will be announced later this month. This year's theme is Percussion, the event will take place May 17-25, 2014, and the guest country is Trinidad and Tobago.  Bill Tilford has published a new section (click here to read it in English) explaining what Cubadisco is and how it works, and he will be following this year's events and awards very closely.   

Cubadisco 2014 se acerca pronto - las nominaciones se darán a conocer a finales de este mes. Este año es dedicado a la percusión, el evento se llevará a cabo del 17 al 25 de mayo 2014, y el país invitado es Trinidad y Tobago. Bill Tilford ha publicado una nueva sección (clic aquí para leerlo en español) explicando lo que Cubadisco es y cómo funciona, y él estará siguiendo muy de cerca los acontecimientos y los premios de este año. 

Also, ten new reviews, many of multiple-CD collections, were published in recent weeks.  See the Reviews section to read these. 

Además, diez nuevas reseñas, muchas de las colecciones de multiple CDs, fueron publicadas en las últimas semanas Vea la sección Reseñas para leerlas. 

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

Here's Tom Ehrlich's photo gallery for Pacific Mambo Orchestra's standing-room-only March 22 celebration and their first San Francisco appearance after their Grammy(R) win for Best Tropical Album. Thanks again to the Greater Bay Area Latin Music community for all their support!

FYI the new bassist for the Pacific mambo -- Julio de la Cruz -- is a Cuban musician who played with Síntesis and toured with the Puerto Rican singer / songwriter José Feliciano. 

Click on any image to see the full gallery -- Pinche una de las fotos para ver la galería

Co-leaders of PMO Christian Tumalan and Steffen Kuehn

View from the stage - Pacific Mambo Orchestra - Café Cócomo - San Francisco

And on the East Coast we are delighted to hear that Adalberto Álvarez is coming to the US this May and also Pupy y los que Son Son will be coming July. The first shows we know of are Adalberto at S.O.B.s Friday May 16 and Pupy at the Howard Theater in Washington D.C Friday July 25. Check out the info and links below....

Adalberto Álvarez y su Son
Friday, May 16, 2014
Showtime @ 12:00 PM -- Doors open @ 11:00 PM
click here for tickets -- para taquillas presione aquí

Adalberto Alvárez  y su Son - Friday May 16 2014 - SOBs New York City
Adalberto Alvárez es pianista, compositor, arreglista y director de orquesta. "El Caballero del Son" es el título que se ha ganado por las antológicas innovaciones y aportes realizados a ese género tradicional y contemporáneo, resulta ser en la actualidad, el sonero cubano más versionado en el ámbito latino de los últimos 30 años.

Pupy y Los Que Son Son
feat. César "Pupy" Pedroso of Los Van Van
Friday, July 25, 2014
Showtime @ 9:00 PM -- Doors open @ 8:00 PM
Tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of show
click here for tickets -- para taquillas presione aquí

Pupy y los que Son Son - Howard Theater - Washington D.C. - July 25, 2014
Su nombre completo es César de las Mercedes Pedroso Fernández, pero todo el mundo lo llama “Pupy”. Es compositor, arreglista, pianista y director de su grupo timbero "Los Que Son Son". 

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continue reading Pa' Ponerte en Talla