(Orando Valle) Maraca's USA Tour officially begins June, 14, 2011 at the Napa Valley Opera House (8pm) in Napa, California.

Click here for his full 2011 USA Tour Schedule courtesy of TIMBA's Michelle White.

Straight from Cuba, Maraca's ensemble has been called “the most influential Afro-Cuban band of the emerging century” (Chicago Tribune) and “one of the hottest names in jazz” (LA Times). Maraca will have the Opera House moving to the authentic rhythms of salsa, mambo and cha cha cha, as well as creative Afro-Cuban jazz.

The band has been extended to 13 musicians, all coming from Cuba, with great addition as Jose-Miguel melendez (ex-Irakere), on vocals and solo percussion, and Alfred Thompson (ex-Irakere, Omara Portuondo and Ibrahim Ferrer) on tenor saxophone. The band will be playing a mix of their afro cuban jazz repertoire, danceable songs from their hits and songs from their new danceable CD which is being recorded in Havana now.

Participating Musicians & Staff:
Orlando “Maraca” Valle bandleader, flute, composer, arranger 
Josiel Pérez  trumpet 
Eduardo Martínez  trumpet 
Ariel Pérez  trombone 
Alfred Thompson  tenor saxophone 
Andrés Pérez  baritone saxophone 
Lester Ciarreta  vocal 
Alexei “El Nene” Sánchez  vocal 
José Miguel Meléndez  vocal, percussion 
Iván Llanes  drums, timbales 
Yosmel Montejo  bass 
Rafael Valiente  congas, background vocals 
Andy Rubal  piano 
Céline Chauveau  manager 

leave a comment

continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

La Época is a documentary about the music and dancing from the pre-Salsa period in the U.S. when the mambo, son, guaracha etc. were still distinct in the minds of the dancers as well as the musicians.  Since the Palladium ballroom in New York was an epicenter of the "Mambo Craze", there is a lot of coverage including historical footage of what happened there along with interviews with key musicians and dancers from the period.    This is touring multiple cities and includes a Q and A with the producer, Josué Joseph, some social dancing and some filming of dancers for footage for an upcoming film segment.

This is an opportunity to learn more about how la musica Cubana took parts of the U.S., especially New York, by storm.   We'll review the Chicago showing after it comes here.  Meanwhile, for more information, see the film's website at   http://laepocafilm.com/

In the future, Sin Clave No Hay Na will have interviews, reviews of CD releases, major concert reviews and other items of interest.  Stay tuned.

leave a comment

continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na