There is said to be a time for all things under Heaven and in Miami it is "A Time for Love". Artemiseño Arturo Sandoval was a founding member of Irakere, the group that originally brought us the concept of the bomba gear. After moving to the US he has played mainly classical music and jazz where he has excelled and been awarded 4 Grammys and 6 Billboard awards.

Arguably the best trumpet player in the world, he may primarily be known to laymen for his ability to hit impossibly high notes, but this is just the icing on the cake. Sandoval coaxes the richest tones from both his trumpet and flugelhorn. His playing covers a full emotional range from delicate and sensitive to frenzied passion.

The new album "A Time for Love" was released on May 11th and can be ordered from Amazon. I have only heard one song so far but the album is described as follows: "The album features classical compositions for orchestra and jazz trio by Grammy-winning arranger Jorge Calandrelli along with a sprinkling of American jazz standards by composers including Gershwin and Chaplin.  Also featured on the album are Chris Botti, Monica Mancini, Shelly Berg, and Kenny Barron. "

Here is a sample you can listen to and enjoy yourselves: Paven pour une infante defunte . It features guest artist trumpeter Chris Botti.

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I know it has been more than 1 month since the concert and I have to apologize for my tardiness, but better late than never. I have finally posted my report from the Havana D'Primera concert in Stockholm March 25th. As could be expected the concert hall was full with a  mix of world music fans, timberos and salseros. There were representatives from all the local timba bands as well as dancers such as Chiqui Dixon. I met three Colombians who were visiting from Rome and came to the concert as well as a woman from Puerto Rico. I suspect she didn't come all the way to Sweden just to see Havana D'Primera, but you never know...Click here to read the report including 3 video clips from the concert.

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Photo courtsey of Cristian Muñoz

Great news from, Miami. Manolito y Su Trabuco have arrived in the US. With all the changes to the concert schedule I only know of 3 concerts. The first two are May 7 & 8 in LA and San Francisco, respectively and the third is May 14 in Miami. I hope they set up a few more because the people of the United States have a right to More Trabuco! If you know about any concert that is missing from out list please send me an e-mail.

Update: Make that 4 concerts. I found one for May 20th at SOBs. But according to Mirco's information at TimbaPorSiempre, Manolito said that they will be playing in 14 states, so we must be missing a lot of dates!

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Things seem pretty turbulent on the US timba tours scene for the moemnt, or at least over no the west coast. The Miami - New York side might be a little calmer. For the time being I'm not even sure what to update and not update in the Tours section for the US tours, so I'm doing nothing. But for those of us here in Europe, things are moving forward more or less as usual. Here's is what seems to be planned so far...with disclaimer for possible changes (there are always changes) in Europe.

If you're having trouble seeing La Charanga Habanera in California, take a summer vacation to Europe and catch them July 13 -  August 8. Havana D'Primera will be back in Europe from May 29 -  June 29th and they already seem to be scheduled for a concert  at the Musicport Festival in England in October, so I guess they'll be back in the fall. Giraldo Piloto & Klímax will be here from  July 6 - August 7. Monika Mesa will be touring with her Maquina Perfecta from June 27 - August 29. Reggeaton fans can see Los Cuatro (Los salvajes)  during July 22 - August 29th. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

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