Yeni Valdés - among the most imitated Cuban vocalists since Celia Cruz - was the first woman in two of Cuba's greatest bands - NG La Banda and Los Van Van, singing with the latter for 16 years. She now lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, Erick Barbería, a batá master who played with the legendary Papo Angarica and a multi-talented timbero equally at home with lead vocals and all the percussion instruments. They'll be playing in a star studded show produced by DJ Asho and featuring Timbalive, DJ Walt Digz, DJ Melao and DJ Danis la Clave next Friday, October 13th. Here's are links for venue information and tickets. And here's the press release in downloadable format.

Erick Barbería

DJ Asho

DJ Walt Digz

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Tirso is doing a whole series of educational timba piano videos on youtube!

There are nine of these so far. And here's my old video on Tirso and Charanga Habanera:

[Kevin Moore]

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Part 2 covers the groups Tom photographed on Sunday, August 13, 2017. The groups include Jazz by 5, Manny Martínez y La Rebeldia, Lili Hernández Orchestra Featuring Calixto Oviedo, Daymé Arocena and Bay Area Salsa All-Stars Featuring Jimmy Bosch.

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                                                 Angélique Kidjo and Pedríto Martínez

Monterey Jazz was tremendous - those photos coming soon. Here's the first gallery from San José Jazz Summerfest.

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