march 2012 issue - latin beat magazinegigante and was the lead vocalist/timbalero for josé mangual,...

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The Estrada BrothersMr. Ray

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, while the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony was taking place at theStaples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, numerous musicians representing Latin jazz, rock,blues, world and Native American music, aficionados of diverse music genres, and communityleaders protested against the National Association of Recording Artists’ (NARAS) decision toeliminate 31 Grammy music categories from its roster in April, 2011. Among the eliminatedcategories were: Latin jazz, traditional and contemporary blues, Hawaiian, Mexican Norteña,polka, Native American, R&B, gospel, traditional and contemporary jazz, and Cajun/Zydeco music.The decision was made by Grammy president Neil Portnow and a select small group of top


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executives of NARAS, without consulting any of NARAS’ 21,000 voting members.


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Chorus"Stop Grammy Attacks on Culture!""Music Rights is our Fight!"


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"The incredible response to our call for musical justice demonstrates that our movement toreinstate the 31 categories has deep roots, roots that are growing," said Bobby Matos (Latin jazzbandleader and a leader in the "Grammy Watch" movement to reinstate the deleted categories).West Coast Latin jazz musicians from San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco came togetherin a collective show of strength including John Santos, John Calloway, Bobby Matos, GaryEisenberg and Sandy Cressman, as well as East Coast representatives Bobby Sanabria andOscar Hernández.



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After the protest, musicians and local fans came together at the popular Mama Juana's nightclub inStudio City to celebrate with a jam session concert. An all-star cast band led by guitarist RayCarrion was joined by many top players from diverse musical genres on hand to support theprotest. The core band included Ileana Rose, Alberto Salas, and Zak Astor (piano), Susie Hansenand Papo Mendez (violin), Conchita Lopez (vocals), Bob Desena and Ruben Estrada (vibes), JoeyDe Leon, Victor Baez, Ramoncito Ramos, and Robertito Melendez (percussion), Walfredo Reyes(trap drums), Gilberto Torres (flute/vocals), George Lopez and Eliseo Borrero (bass), GaryEisenberg (trumpet), and Ray Carrion (guitar). Guest players included: Oscar Hernandez andSergei Kasimoff (piano), John Calloway and Sandy Cressman (flute), Bobby Sanabria (trapdrums), John Santos and Bobby Matos (percussion), among many others. Joining the GrammyWatch movement was Presente.org (the largest online Latino advocacy organization in thecountry). "Presente.org and its thousands of members joined forces with the musicians in order totell Mr. Portnow and NARAS that they cannot simply render our music irrelevant and think that wewill simply stand by and leave the musicians alone," said Arturo Carmona, executive director ofPresente.org. On August 1, 2011, four Latin jazz musicians, Bobby Sanabria, Mark Levine,Doctors Benjamin Lapidus and Eugene Marlow, filed a historic class action lawsuit in New YorkState Supreme Court against NARAS for the elimination of the Latin jazz Grammy category. LatinBeat Magazine Online published an article by Benjamin Lapidus in regards to the lawsuit in theSeptember 2011 online issue (See E-Back Issues on lbmo.com).


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Happenings around town… 2 Hombres (featuring Eliseo Borrero on vocals & guitar) Saturdaynights at Ortega 120 in Redondo Beach. Call for weekly schedule and reservations (310)792-4120.

Directly from Puerto Rico, salsa singer Michael Stuart performs at The Conga Room on March1st.

Local favorite Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños del Son will be at Steven's Steakhouse in the cityof Commerce on March 1st.

Susie Hansen Latin Band performs at Michael's Tuscany Room in the city of San Pedro onMarch 1st, as well as the Fisherman's Village in Marina del Rey on April 1st.

The Boogaloo Assassins will be at The Copper Door in downtown Santa Ana on March 16th.

Guitar sensations Rodrigo y Gabriela play the Hollywood Palladium on April 7, showcasing theirlatest concert tour "Cuba," backed by a full Cuban ensemble of players.

The group Tiempo Libre and pianist Alfredo Rodriguez will be a part of this year's Ventura MusicFestival held May 6, in Ventura, California.

The 14th Annual Los Angeles Salsa Congress takes place May 24 through May 27 at thebeautiful Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Headlining this year's event areOscar D'Leon, Luis Enrique, and The New Swing Sextet. For tickets, reservations and moreinformation, visit www.mysalsacongress.com and/or www.atevents.com.

The Annual Dia de San Juan Festival is scheduled for June 17 at the Queen Mary Events Park


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in Long Beach, California. Headliners include (directly from Puerto Rico) the group NG2, andsinger Choco Orta. Representing Los Angeles will be the groups Tabaco y Ron, and La BombaMix, plus Super DJ Robby, and MC Paloma.

Support all your local artists, musicians and their venues. Live music rules! Peace.

A BITE FROM THE APPLEBy Vicki SoláWhiskey Café patrons recently enjoyed dancing to the dynamic sounds of Jerry Hernández &Orquesta Dee Jay on “Latin Sunday”. Impressed to see so many young musicians on stage, Idecided to find out more.


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In 2007, puzzled that he didn't hear Orquesta Dee Jay's music on any major radio stations,Hernández- the band's original trombonist-researched the Internet. He found that his orchestra,formed initially in 1968, hadn't been forgotten by record collectors or DJs.

In fact, Orquesta Dee Jay remained popular into the mid-seventies, when it featured some of thesalsa industry's youngest players. "We performed at the big dances run by Ralph Mercado andHéctor Maisonet, and in all the top New York nightclubs - The Cheetah, The Psycho Room, theCorso, Casa Blanca and the Village Gate, which only presented headliners," recalls Hernández,adding that they even appeared on Miguelito Valdés' TV show.

In 1970, the group recorded the LP "Pa'lante Con La Orquesta Dee Jay" (MGM Latino), featuring"Las Malas Lenguas," "La Jara," "Camaguela," and "Yemayá". Its second LP, "Forget It" (releasedin 1971 by Lenguas Records and reissued on CD format by the label Latinsooul in 2007), includingthe tracks "Doña Paula," "Buena Suerte," "Yemayá y Obatalá," and "Mi Son".

"Our original LPs are now collector's items that go for up to $250," notes Hernández. "Our music isoriginal-created from jam sessions before rehearsals."

At the 2007 New York Salsa Congress, Hernández discussed re-releasing "Forget It" throughLatinsoul Records and Hardsalsa.com's Andrés Padua. After consulting this matter with OrquestaDee Jay's original leader George de Jesús, who was unable to devote time to the project,Hernández reformed the orchestra in 2008.

"I hadn't played since 1993," stated Hernández. He bought a new trombone and began practicing.

Orquesta Dee Jay performed at the 2009 New Jersey Salsa Congress and the 2011 New YorkSalsa Congress, in addition to the Festival Salsatongs in Marseilles, France. They now boast aworldwide database of over 4,000 followers.

"Today's band," says Hernández, "is comprised of a younger generation, as well as a few oldermembers like Willie Serrano and Fernando Rentas, who played in rival bands back in the 1970s,and have been with us since our new beginning. The younger ones were brought up on "salsaromántica"-playing "salsa dura" is new for them."

Twenty-two-year-old conguero Noel Otero, Jr. is the youngest. "In the 1990s, his father and Iplayed in a cover-tune band. Junior would cry-he wanted to be on stage with his father, who'd sithim under his timbal. He would want to hold the sticks and bang them on the floor."

As school budget cuts decimate music programs, Hernández worries. "Today's generation hasdrifted away to other genres. So how do our kids learn to play? We older musicians have to keep"salsa dura" going by exposing them to it."

Singer/timbalero/composer Jimmy Sabater, Sr. (born on April 11, 1936), who gained instantinternational recognition for his lead vocals on "To Be With You" (Joe Cuba Sextet's "Steppin'


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Out," Seeco,1962) passed away on February 8th.

Equally comfortable singing in Spanish and English, Sabater won three ACE Awards, forged acareer as a soloist, served as lead singer for "Alfredito" (Al Levy), co-led Charlie Palmieri's ComboGigante and was the lead vocalist/timbalero for José Mangual, Jr.'s Son Boricua. Sabater's son,bandleader Jimmy Sabater, Jr., is following in his iconic father's footsteps. His new single, "Baila,Víctor Cruz" — music composed by Charlie García, melody by Sabater, Jr., and lyrics by Sabater'swife Lorraine — pays homage to the Paterson-born, N.Y. Giants’ Super Bowl Champion VíctorCruz.

Vibraphonist A. J. Mantas was killed by a hit-and-run driver on January 5th. Born in 1952 asAlgimantas J. Draugelis in Lithuania, he resettled in California, where he studied piano, violin, andvibes, earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern California. He alsoattended the prestigious Schola Cantorum in Paris, France.


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"A.J. Mantas performed with the who's who of bands throughout the world," says bandleader WillieVillegas, who featured him on his "Dancers Paradise" CD. (Check out Mantas solo on “Ariñáñara”)"He's been a long-time staple fronting three of New York's stellar bands—Joe Bataan, SonBoricua, and most notably, the Joe Cuba Sextet, with whom he played for over thirty years." Iextend my deepest condolences to the Sabater and Mantas families.

Apology... Last month, I neglected to mention that Angel Rubén Rodríguez, Sr. produced the"Bronx Living Legend" tribute to Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón, Jr. In 1997, as curator and organizer of theBronx Living Legends Tributes, Rodríguez developed the idea of honoring musical heroes whilethey are still alive. As a musician, cultural activist, and member of the Bronx Music HeritageCenter Music Advisory Board, Rodríguez has dedicated his life to his community and thepreservation of its culture. He deserves a tribute.

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick of the Month": Don Perignón y La Puertorriqueña's "Cáscara Con Afinque."

¡Hasta la próxima!

LATIN BEAT UPDATEBy Nelson Rodríguez


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Latin music releases continue to emerge at a rapid pace from all over Latin America, and the USA,but particularly from Europe.

One of the best new recordings comes from a veteran bandleader, vocalist, percussionist, host ofone of New York’s radio shows on WBAI—Chico Alvarez. Leading his 7-years-old PalomonteAfro-Cuban Big Band, Alvarez produced the CD “El Montunero,” featuring the following sidemen:Eddy Martínez, Ray Vega, Chembo Corniel, Rubén Rodríguez, Luis Mangual Jr. RobertoRodríguez, Al Acosta, Enrique Fernández, Steve Gluzband, Noah Bless, and Peter Brainin. Guestmusicians include Gene Goleen, Johnny Rodríguez, Oscar Hernández, Sergio Rivera, Eddie‘Guagua’ Rivera, Mike Pérez, Mauricio Smith Jr. and many more. The music is superb, athrowback to the good old big band days. Radio DJs will love “Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid”, “EstaNoche”, “Macho’s Satin Latin”, “Let’s Make Love”, “El Indio Caonabo” and “Sabroso Mambo.”

Another surprising release comes from New Orleans’ Javier Gutierrez & Vivaz, whose debut“Latin Caravan,” is a guitar-driven combination of Brazilian and Caribbean jazz with flamencosounds. It is expected that the tracks “Una Semana”, “¡Ay, Que Descarga!” “El Sonero,” “QuieroSaber” and “Affirmation” will do very well on the radio waves.

Two Cuban jazz musicians, who met nine years ago while recording with Jane Bunnett, now joinforces on the recording “Dos y Mas”: Pianist Elio Villafranca and percussionist Arturo Stableoffer ten original compositions that explore the music of Cuba, Africa, Spain and the Middle East.The track titled “A Las Millas” has already become a hit at many radio stations.


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(Pictured) The current project of the Mexican guitar duo Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sánchez(Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A.), enriched with some awesome arrangements penned bypianist Alex Wilson, must be regarded as one of the best 2012 instrumental “world music” CDs.“Area 52” is the duo’s third CD and their flamenco-influenced rock and heavy percussion can alsobe heard in the animated movie “Puss ‘n’ Boots”. The CD contains great guitar work from bothGabriela and Rodrigo, plus a fine supporting cast that compliments them well.

Dancers will love Los Van Van’s latest CD, “La Maquinaria,” which applies a new sound to someof their 1980s and 1990s hits, while focusing on the vocal skills of Mayito Rivera, Yeni Valdés,Roberton Hernández and Abdel Rasalps (El Lele).

Like Elio Villafranca, Luis Perdomo is one of the top Latin pianists of this new generation, andthe repertoire of his latest CD, “Universal Mind” (featuring bassist Drew Gress and drummer JackDeJohnette) documenting their solo improvisations, shall be considered as one of the best jazzCDs of 2011.

One CD that could have made its way into my 2011 Top Ten is La Cali Charanga’s “Transición-25 Años,” containing the huge commercial hits “Doblaré,” “25 Años,” “Traigo,” “Kuki,” “No TeVayas,” “Mi Charanga,” “Mosaico 1, 2 & 3,” “Se Quemó El Guisao,” and “Cartagena”. The band iscurrently getting ready to release its new CD.

Another top ten nominee for 2011 could have been NG La Banda’s “Mis 22 Años,” with guestsJuan Formell, Chucho Valdés, Mayito Rivera, Pedro Calvo, Changuito, Giraldo Piloto, César‘Pupy’ Pedroso, Elito Revé, Lázaro Valdés, Angel Bonne, Haila Mompié, Adalberto Alvarez, DavidCalzado, Moisés “Yumurí” Valle, Alexander Abreu, Paulo FG, and Lázaro Dagaberto González.

One of many great recently released compilations is Humberto Ramírez’s “20 Years of Jazz”.In fact, it is as impressive as his debut CD, issued by TropiJazz twenty years ago. The list ofRamírez’s collaborators includes some of the best musicians with whom he has ever recorded:Bobby Valentín, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Lucca, Alex Acuña, John Benítez, Edsel Gómez, OskarCartaya, Eddie Gómez, Justo Almario, Richie Flores, Michael Brecker, Mario Rivera, RobertoRoena, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernández, Ignacio Berroa, Juancito Torres,Charlie Sepúlveda, Tito de Gracia, Edward Simon, and many more.

From the streets of London comes the Sunlightsquare Latin Combo (led by pianist/arranger/composer Claudio Passavanti) with its debut, “Havana Central,” which includes the hits “LaBanda,” “Havana Central,” “El Pollo de Carlitos”, “Así Toda La Vida,” and “Para Guarachar,” plusplenty of improvisations.

Inspired by the late saxophonist Mario Rivera, the Latin jazz conguero Alex Díaz is back with theCD “Beyond 145th Street,” in which he fuses merengue and Dominican folkloric rhythms with Latin


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jazz. The band is comprised of Pedro Bermúdez, Rubén Rodríguez, Iván Renta, Diego López,Nelson ‘Gazú’ Jaime, and Ray Diaz.

One of Venezuela’s best musician of the past few decades is timbalero Andy Durán, who hasrecorded a new CD, “Tímeless, Vol.1,” with guests Charlie Sepúlveda, Brian Lynch, ConradHerwig, Pedrito Lopez, Alfredo Naranjo and Gonzalo Mico. The tracks “JazzAfro”, “In the (Latin)Mood,” “Anthropology,” “New-Rico Mambo,” “Cherry Pink,” “James Bond Theme,” “Mambo Inferno”and “Warm New York” are all superb selections, in terms of their radio potential.

This past decade has been a favorable decade for percussionists and pianists and another newname to be added to the list is that of pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, whose debut “Sounds of Space”was co-produced by Quincy Jones. The CD’s 11 tracks were entirely composed and arranged byRodríguez, whose music reflects the pianistic influences of Ernesto Lecuona, Bud Powell, andThelonious Monk.

There is an upcoming tribute to Ismael Rivera that will be released by Bogotá’s EkuajeyOrquesta, led by vocalist Felipe Burbano, alto saxophonist Carolina Guacaneme and musicaldirector Julián Guacaneme. Another upcoming project is the debut of Carlos Rosario, one of thehot young vocalists from the Bay Area.

One of the first Blue-Ray DVDs comes from popular Latin jazz percussionist Paoli Mejías. “PaoliMejías: De Jazzambia a Mi Tambor (El Concierto)” encompasses hits from his three CDs, alongwith new material, in a superb performance that highlights his immense contributions to Latinmusic.

DESDE BORINQUENPor: Elmer GonzálezFotos por Miguel RojasRECONOCIMIENTO A MONCHITO MUÑOZ. El domingo 22 de enero un grupo de músicos, defamiliares y amigos celebraron un reconocimiento al percusionista puertorriqueño Ramón"Monchito" Muñoz Rodríguez en un club de jazz en San Juan.


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En un ambiente de alegría, camaradería y mucha música, Monchito dirigió la legendaria orquestade Rafael Muñoz, su padre, la cual interpretó boleros que fueron famosos en la década de 1940 yvarias descargas y mambos del repertorio de Tito Rodríguez y Tito Puente.


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Participaron de la actividad otras figuras musicales como el Jimmy Rivera Jazz Trio, el grupoIbabali Bámbula Beat bajo la dirección de Raúl Berríos, Ana Baiana, Pijuán, Eladio Pérez y otros.

Monchito, quien se destacó siempre como timbalero, formó parte de varias orquestas grandes delNueva York Latino en la década de 1950. Junto a Uba Nieto, Tito Puente, Papi Pagani y otros,fue una de las figuras que influyó en la formación musical de percusionistas que se destacaronluego con el movimiento de la salsa a partir de la década de 1960.

Nació en San Juan el 6 de junio de 1932 y desde joven se trasladó a Nueva York. Grabó porprimera vez como bongosero poco antes de cumplir los 15 años con la orquesta del bateristaGene Krupa, uno de sus ídolos. Su bongó se escucha en el tema “Chiquita Banana” grabado enNueva York el 6 de mayo de 1946.

Luego se destacó como timbalero con orquestas como la de Noro Morales, José Curbelo y TitoRodríguez. Figura además como bongosero en el famoso disco “Dance Mania” (1958) de TitoPuente en cuyos créditos aparece con el nombre de Ray Rodríguez.

Fue realmente un placer ver el rostro de alegría y percibir la satisfacción de Monchito esa tardeen San Juan rodeado de sus tres grandes amores: la familia, la música y sus amigos.


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EL PUERTO RICO JAZZ JAM. El trompetista Humberto Ramírez presentó la tercera edición de suPuerto Rico Jazz Jam Festival en el Teatro Tapia del Viejo San Juan los días 27 y 28 de enero.

Ramírez, quien por esos días presentaba también su producción discográfica número 21, contócon la participación de cuatro agrupaciones puertorriqueñas.


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La primera velada estuvo a cargo del grupo “Del Sur al Norte” del trompetista Julito Alvarado quiense lució con ritmos de mambos, baladas y sones en el contexto del jazz latino.


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William Cepeda deleitó a todos con sus traducciones al lenguaje del jazz de la bomba y la plenaboricuas.


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En la segunda velada sobresalió el grupo del pianista Ángel David Mattos y sus fusiones de ladanza puertorriqueña y el jazz para luego dar paso a un final explosivo con el cuarteto deHumberto Ramírez y Giovanni Hidalgo.


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march 2012 issue - latin beat magazinegigante and was the lead vocalist/timbalero for josé mangual,...

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