Hey Midwesterners - need a break from government shutdowns, union-busting and homicidal supreme court justices? Maraca's new timba band will be in MN, WI and IL on the 6th, 9th and 10th - then on to Indiana, Detroit and South Dakota before arriving at SOBs in NY. Here's the full tour schedule - Bill Tilford's review of the new CD/DVD - and Tom Ehrlich's extensive photo gallery from the SF leg of the tour.

If he used both hands it just wouldn't be fair.

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photo by Tom Ehlrich

Yikes - this guy is really amazing. His plane arrived just in time to get him there for the second set at Yoshi's SF, which began with a long exchange of solos between José and Maraca that electrified the crowd and the band. And he also sings in a soaring high tenor with great phrasing, intonation and stage presence - unbelievable. One more night at Yoshi's tonight - then a whole string of concerts across the US. See you there! There's another foto if you click "continue reading".

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Click here for Tom Ehrlich's First Gallery (more coming soon) 

The airline lost their bags but even in street clothes Otra Visión brought down the house, with encores demanded for each set. It was a thrill to finally hear El Nene live - he has a soaring voice that reminds me of Kalunga, writes great songs, and is also an excellent improviser. In fact, every member of this band is a brilliant improviser, from ISA-graduate piano phenom Andy Rubal, to Irakere alumnus Alfred Thompson, to Maraca himself. Check timba.com radio for a new timba track recorded by the group only days before the tour for their upcoming CD, Suspendan los comentarios. Maraca also has a new all-star jazz CD/DVD coming for which we'll have a review and interview from Bill Tilford when the Maraca show hits Chicago.

Great New Photographer - The latest luminary to grace our Photography section is Bohdan Kiszczuk of BWK Photography. His pages are under construction but so far there are great galleries of Los Van Van, Klímax and Charanga Habanera in Montreal.

José Miguel Watch - José's visa came through and he'll be at the 2nd show tonight.

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click to hear Pregúntale a mi mujer
photo by Tom Ehrlich
Click for Maraca Tour Dates

Orlando "Maraca" Valle, ex-flautist of Irakere and, as the leader of Otra Vision, has chalked up a Grammy nomination, 5 Cubadisco awards and dozens of wildly successful tours.

With dual-residency in Cuba and Europe, Maraca was able to keep touring the US throughout the dismal 2000s by using all-star groups of expatriates, but the more enlightened post-Bush era has allowed him to return to his Havana roots and put together an actual working band of top Havana musicians that's been able to play gigs, rehearse, and develop unique original material.

Click "continue reading" below for a full list, but the two names that leap off the page are monster timbalero (and singer) José Miguel (ex-Irakere, ex-Issac, and the leader of Balanza), and Alexei "El Nené" Sánchez, who sang and wrote some of Revé's greatest hits of the 2000s, including No te doy más na' and La madrugada. El Nené wrote and sang several songs on Maraca's soon-to-be-released album, including this killer timba track, Pregúntale a mi mujer , an exclusive preview on timba.com. Nené packs more excitement into one syllable ("je!") than many singers can muster in a whole night.

The tour begins at the Napa Valley Opera House on Tuesday, June 14th . Then three nights at Yoshi's San Francisco (Wed-Fri) , then Seattle (21-22) , Boulder (24) , Salt Lake City (25) , Albuquerque (26) , Jazz Glenwood Springs (29) , Aspen (30, 7-1) , Minneapolis (7-6) , Madison (7-9), Chicago (7-10), Portland Indiana (7-14), Detroit (7-15), Sioux Falls (7-16) and Washington DC (7-25). 

IN OTHER NEWS: Team Bahía, with Carlos Caro and the incredible young singer Sulkary, will celebrate their first anniversary this Saturday in Oakland at Club Antón , and Ana Pérez and Luis Cancino of Los Muñequitos, along with Ana's son Sandy Pérez, of AfroCuba de Matanzas, will be giving classes in Santa Cruz on June 17, 18, 24 and 25. Click here for more details .

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