Beyond Salsa Percussion is featured in the September issue of Modern Drummer magazine, probably the most high profile exposure we've got since the series was launched. This is Calixto's second feature in the magazine, the last one being in 1994 as part of a "The Drummers of Cuba" series along with Enrique Pla and Changuito.

In other Calixto news, the maestro has actually moved himself and his talented family to Denver, CO. He'll also be featured on an ongoing basis as an "artist in residence" in conjunction Cal State LA's prestigious Latin Music graduate program. And he'll be playing three gigs in Northern California as part of Edgardo Gambón's "A Tribute to the Timbales" concert series. The first will be on Aug. 10th at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest..

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                                     photos by Tom Ehrlich-Yoshi's SF-2010

The master turns 71 today and is still cranking out the hits. No other figure (except Pupy) has managed to stay so consistently on the cutting edge with generation after generation of young audiences. For a trip down memory lane, check out our History of Van Van and our comprehensive Los Van Van Discography.

From the 2013 DVD "Van Van 40" by director Ian Padrón

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The 4th annual Festival Cubano, a 3-day celebration of Cuban music, will take place on August 2-4 in Riis Park in Chicago. The band roster this year has a really nice mix of local and out of town acts - some of Saturday's highlights include Xiomara Laugart and Alfredo de la Fe (the closing act that night is Salsero Jerry Rivera ). Sunday packs a wallop with Charangueo, Mambo Fino, Hector Silveira y su Orquesta, and Sureya followed by the Cachao Mambo All Stars.  Timbalive, which was nominated for a Cubadisco award in 2012, a rare honor for a dance band in the United States, closes the festival. For tickets and the complete schedule for this don't-miss event visit thecubanfestival.com

In Los Angeles, on Saturday August 3 at Vitello's, the AC Jazz Project is having a pre-release party featuring material from its new CD Conga Buena, which is due for release in September.  This band is led by trumpeter Josiel Pérez, who played with Maraca's band and Klimax in Cuba, and it brings together a formidable team of musicians (some of them cut their teeth in NG la Banda, Grupo Afrocuba and Opus 13, and percussion monster Luis Conte is the featured conguero). This writer has heard the tracks from the new recording, a potent mix of Jazz and Música Popular Bailable, and it is going to turn some heads when it comes out. For more information, see vitellosjazz.com

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Photo courtesy of http://www.milanespablo.com/

Today Pablo Milanés releases "Amor de otoño"   at iTunes . It is the first single from his highly anticipated new album "Renacimiento" , which will be available worldwide from September 17th . "Amor de otoño" is a ballad that will delight fans for Pablo's signature use of harmonies, his graceful turn of phrase and that iconic voice.

Pablo has also launched an updated official website with his exensive discography, concert dates, a biography, photos, videos and more. Check it out and suscribe to keep up on the lastest news of this legend of Cuban music. In August Pablo will begin a national tour of Cuba, and in September he will perform in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Click here for concert dates.

Debut performance of "Amor de otoño" 19 May 2013 Karl Marx Theater - Havana, Cuba

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