Con Eleguá y con Orula - ESTRENO

El Niño y La Verdad Europe 2017

Emilio Frias "El Niño" y La Verdad have just uploaded their new video "Con Eleguá y con Orula". Emilio did a live Facebook chat beforehand from Panama where they are currently doing promotion. You can check it out at the band's official Facebook site - this is the one they want people to follow to get all the latest news, so be sure to click "Follow". El NIño y La Verdad will be touring Europe from February 15th through March 5th promoting their 2nd CD - "Más Duro". Next week we'll post all the concert dates. For now, enjoy the latest video.

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Wednesday, 28 December 2016, 11:40 AM

Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera will close 2016 with two concerts in Miami. They now have their visas and will perform on December 30th at 9:00pm at The Place of Miami . If you haven't made your New Year's Eve plans yet, why not book a table at Havana 1957 - Brickell where you can ring in the New Year with a concert by Alexander and the guys.

Personally I have been watching the official video for "Siempre sí" over and over again. Havana D'Primera always delivers.

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Thursday, 08 December 2016, 05:42 AM

La Fantasia - GRAMMY Nomination 2016

The 2017 GRAMMY nominees were announced this week. From the Cuban side Chucho Valdes was nominated in the Best Latin Jazz category for “Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac” and Los Van Van was nominated for "La Fantasia" for Best Tropical Album. Timba.com wishes them both good luck. the winners will be announced on February 12th.

El Tren is facing competition from Fonseca - "Conexión, Grupo Niche - "35 Aniversario", La Sonora Santanera - "En Su 60 Aniversario" and José Lugo & Guasábara Combo - "Dónde Están?". If I may campaign for Los Van Van for just a moment, beyond the fact that "La Fantasia" is an excellent album (click here to read Bill's review) , it is special to Cuban music fans because it is a tribute to the late Juan Formell. "La Fantasia" includes some of the last songs in which Juan Formell was involved as composer and arranger. Moreover, the title track features Juan Formell himself on vocals. Formell originally recorded the song as a demo for Luna Manzanares, but after he passed Samuel decided to use his father's vocals and record it on the new album together with the children's choir of Alejandro Garcia Cartula.

Los Van Van also happen to be starting a short US tour tonight at Howard Theatre in Washington D.C. See all the dates below.

Concert Dates:
December 8, 2016 - Washington D.C. - Howard Theatre
December 9, 2016 - New York, NY. - B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
December 10, 2016 -San Francisco, CA. - Roccapulco
December 11, 2016 - Los Angeles, CA. - Conga Room

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Saturday, 19 November 2016, 05:47 AM

Maykel Blanco @Teatro Nacional de Cuba 12 Anniversary Concert Maykel Blanco outside the National Theater after rehearsal
photo courtesy of Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor Official Facebook page

Tonight Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor celebrate their 12th anniversary with a concert in Sala Avellaneda at Teatro Nacional de Cuba. The tickets went on sale November 15th and were sold out in just two hours. Maykel has prepared something different this time working with the National Symphony Orchestra in a presentation of their most recent CD "Que no me quiten la fe". Let's hope they also film and upload some of the concert for those of us who can't attend. Congratulations to Maykel and Los Mayores! In the meantime we can enjoy a taste of their concert from the 2016 Festival de la Salsa in Havana.