Los Van Van - GRAMMY Nomination

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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sábado, 19 noviembre 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.

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lunes, 14 noviembre 2016, 03:19 pm

Aisar y El Expresso de Cuba - Ahora Es Cuando Es

#SaveTheDate Friday, November 25th Aisar y El Expresso de Cuba will release the first single "Ahora Es Cuando Es" from their upcoming album "Musica Cubana Llegó El Expresso" on the Bis Music label. The single will be available worldwide at all the typical digital sources, such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer and more. This is a must have for all DJs and timberos.

If you are in Cuba, don't miss your opportunity to see Aisar y El Expresso de Cuba live! You can catch them every Wednesday at the matinee at El Diablo Tun Tun from 5:00pm-9:00pm, the first and third Friday of every month at Café Cantante , and the second Saturday of every month at Los Jardines del 1830 from 10:00pm.

The planned release date for the full album is set for December 22 in Cuba. We are very excited about this debut album. This is the real thing ! There's no question that Ahora es cuando es!

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lunes, 14 noviembre 2016, 02:26 pm

La Charanga Habanera - Vivito y Coleando

Just a reminder that Thursday November 17th at 8pm Eastern Time the 17th Latin Grammy Awards will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year's Cuban nominations are:

David Calzado y Su Charanga Habanera
Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Vivito y Coleando

Jacob Forever
Best Urban/Fusion Performance
Hasta Que Se Seque el Malecón

Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro
Best Traditional Tropical Album
El Más Grande y Universal

Gente De Zona
Best Tropical Fusion Album
Vizualízate

Omara Portuondo
Best Latin Children's Album
Canciones De Cri Cri “El Grillo Cantor”

Timba.com wishes good luck to all the nominees.

Following the awards, David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera will do a short US tour with concerts in California, Florida and Texas. Click here for the concert dates.