“El Solar de la California ” was the next song followed by “El Pregón del Chocolate”, a tune which is actually an NG la Banda classic, but Issac did it in a very contemporary version. Especially the ‘mambos’ were great.

Los Metales de la Salsa

Issac himself did some vocal improvising and it sounded magnificent and jazzy. And the series of instrumental solos continued. Now it was the drummer’s turn. Rodney Barreto played a solo and the crowd went wild.

After the spectacle el Chévere said: “Yo quiero que ustedes sepan que me acompañan músicos de altisimo nivel”. Issac just said aloud what even those who didn’t know Issac by now surely had recognized. And he made a respectful introduction of one of the most important musicians in Cuban Jazz during the last decades: It was the moment of Germán Velazco. He did an old Latin Jazz number called “Las Margaritas”. The other band members and Issac stood aside watching the ‘master’ perform this legendary tune from Irakere where Velazco used to play.

The great Germán Velazco performing "Las Margaritas"

“Vamos a salsear un poco” was what Issac said then, and “La Sandunguita” was the consequence.

But one of the (many) highlights of this concert was a new song called “Mami Se Te Fue el Avión” (at least so says the refrain). Actually Issac will go to the studios this year in May to record a new album. This new song was pure timba and sounded terrific. Get prepared when you are going to hear this tune. Stunning tumbaos and amazing choruses will remind you of the good old Timba times in the Nineties.

Lizyanet and Alexander on coro

Finally it came: “La Fórmula”! As good as ever and this time quoting “El Boni”, the Havana summer hit from La Charanga Habanera, followed by some audience participation: “A la derecha, a la izquierda.... pa’lante estoy pega’o”.

Issac said good night and left the stage, the band played until the end of the song.....and that was it, the Issac Delgado concert 2004....

    
Raul Verdacia on guitar and Papacho on congas

 
Alexander Abreu and Avi on bass

The whole concert sounded very funky indeed, thanks also to the guitar parts of Raúl Verdecía. Not to mention the legendary horn section that brings together Alexander Abreu and Germán Velázco as well as great talents with quite a lot of experience such as Pavel Díaz as well as Ariel Guillot and Edward Machado. But also Tony on piano and “Papacho” on congas did a great work. Not to forget Avi on bass who played some songs with a six cords bass and some other songs with an electric double bass and showed perfectly the different facets of his instrument.

I really wish that ‘master’ Issac Delgado and his stunning band would come back soon. What a concert!  

The Band members:  
Director, vocals                         Issac Delgado  
Bass                                        “Avi”  
Piano and keyboards                Tony Rodríguez  
Drums and pailas                      Rodney Barreto  
Congas                                    “Papacho”  
Trombone                                Ariel Guillot Menzano 
Trombone                                Eduardo Machado  
Tenor Sax, flute                        Germán Velázco  
Trumpet                                   Pavel Díaz  
Trumpet                                   Alexander Abreu  
Guitar                                       Raul Verdecía  
Vocals                                      Enrique Pérez  
Vocals                                      Lizyanet García  
Vocals                                      Alexander Díaz

Con Issac