Carnaval Cubano

MAYITO RIVERA - Carnaval Cubano 2016
Posted by Carnaval Cubano on Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Today marks the beginning of the annual Carnaval Cubano in Wroclow, Poland. The Carnaval includes concerts by FClan on Friday and Jose Torres y Salsa Tropical featuring Mayito Rivera on Saturday. You can see a short clip from one of their rehearsals above. In addition to the concerts, parties and dance shows at night, by day you can take part in dance and music workshops, lectures, a culinary presentation and on Sunday don't miss the noon screening of "The Black Roots of Salsa: The Emancipation of Cuban Rumba". Click here for the full program.

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domingo, 31 enero 2016, 01:58 pm

Calixto Oviedo - Soultone

Get ready salseros of Los Angeles! Calixto Oviedo and TIMBA LA are bringing classic 90s timba to the land of LA Style Salsa. Calixto has put together a team of ten musicians to offer the City of Angles an authentic taste of what timba was like when the Havana scene was at it's most creative. The rhythm section is drums with timbales, congas, bass and piano. The horns are two trombones and two trumpets, and the vocals are by Julio César Bouza (Orquesta Reve and Tumbao Habana) and Lily Hernnández. TIMBA LA will have their debut performance on Saturday March 6th at La Trattoria 25. Book your table now!

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jueves, 21 enero 2016, 05:30 pm

Dale cliq aquí para leer la entrevista en el español original.

Aisar Hernandez photo by Roberto Ruiz
Aisar Hernandez in the studio
Photo ©Roberto Ruiz. Used by permission

Today Aisar Hernandez, director, composer, arranger and bassist of El Expresso de Cuba – the newest group on Havana's popular dance music scene – held a press conference about this fledgling musical project. Sadly, Timba.com was not there. But Aisar did take time out of his busy schedule to do an interview for Timba.com. I also want to give a special thanks to Roberto Ruiz for allowing us to use some of his photos to bring some visuals to the interview.

For those of you who may be new to Timba, Aisar was musical director of the great orchestra Elito Revé y su Charangón for ten years, during which time they released the hit CDs "Fresquecito", "De que estamos hablando" and "La aplanadora de Cuba". In 2008 he also released four songs under the name El Expresso de Cuba, but Aisar stayed with Revé until December 2015 when he announced he would finally start his own band.

Knowing Aisar's talent as a composer and arranger and his command of Cuban popular dance music ranging from timba to more traditional music such as son, I have great expectations for this band. In the interview Aisar tells us not only about the band and how we can expect it to differ from the Charangón, but also about what it takes to be a good band leader and the difficulties of starting a new orchestra in times such as these.
Click here to read the English translation of the interview.

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martes, 29 diciembre 2015, 03:13 pm

Click here to buy "Como le digo que no"

Pepito Gomez - Como le digo que no

One of the most iconic young Cuban voices is back with a new single. Pepito Gómez has released "Como le digo que no" as a single at CD Baby. The song is his own composition with an arrangement that combines the New York sound with Cuba. Pepito gave us a little interview.

Michelle: Tell us about the new single.

Pepito: I composed this song for people who are in love. When a relationship starts, your friends and family start giving their opinions, and even if people say that this relationship isn't right for you or that this partner is not for you, it's too late to say no to what is already in your heart. Neither age difference, nor color, nor race matter when there is love.

Michelle: Is this just a single or part of a future CD?

Pepito: This song is a single from a series of songs that I have composed with the intention of recording a CD in 2016. My goal is to go to sing in Europe to the audience that I haven't seen for a little while, and that write asking when I can go. I think this year will have the opportunity to return.

Michelle: Which musicians were involved in the recording?

Pepito: The song was recorded by musicians from different countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru and New York. We have the opportunity o live together and bring to the music a little bit of flavor from every corner of the world. I am very happy that it is like this and that music serves to unite countries and musicians - that people can enjoy it and feel happy.

Michelle: Are you working on other projects as well?

Pepito: I have also a project that will involve several orchestras. I have already spoken with some directors who have said yes. I think it will be interesting if everything turns out as we plan. I think there's no doubt that the people who will enjoy it the most will be the dancers.

Bass: Daymar Calvario ...Cuba
Piano & Arrangement: Junito Davila .. Puerto Rico
Congas: Mauricio Herrera Tamayo ... Cuba
Timbal: Bobby Allende ... Puerto Rico
Bongo: Jhair Sala ... Peru
Trumpet: Anibal Martinez ...Puerto Rico
Trombone: Hommy Ramos .... Puerto Rico
Coros: Carlos Acevedo y Papote Jimenez .... Puerto Rico
Lyrics , Music, Electric Tres & Production : Jose "Pepito" Gomez ... Cuba
Mix & Mastering: Rolando Alejandro ....Puerto Rico
Recording engineer: Adam Perez .... Dominican & Puertorican
Recorded in: Allerton Estudio Bronx NY
General Production: Guararey Entertainment... NY