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VAYA CALENTANDO LOS MOTORES para Havana D' Primera en Nueva York Junio 5 y 6. This CD Release Party from Ex-NG La Banda singer Gerardo Contino features special guests Xiomara Laugart (vocalist) and percussionist Luisito Quintero. In Cuba, Gerardo also sang with Charanga Forever and Son Yoruba. The gig will take place at the World Music Institute on 509 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Tix are only $25.

Here's a short list of the musicians joining Gerardo: Axel Tosca Laugart (piano) - John Benítez (bass) - Roberto Quintero (Congas) - Luisito Quintero (Drums & Timbal). Pianists Oriente López and Manuel Varela will also make an appearance. 

Here's a cool video of Gerardo singing "La Chica Red Bull" with his NYC band. Axel Tosca and John Benítez are in the video as well. Video courtesy of our friend Martin Cohen (Congahead). 

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Louisville, Kentucky has always been a cultural hub for that region of the United States, and it now provides us with another link in the Timba concert chain.   David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera have helped break the ice for what we hope will be a series of events in the future.  
Click here to read all about it and see photos from the Charanga Habanera concert. 

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Pepitín y su Q'mbachá have another single out. "No lo hagas más dificil" was composed by Pepitín and arranged by Lino Lores, who is producing the album for Q'mbachá. The septeto has recorded three songs so far. It is slow going since they are financing the project themselves, but the album will be worth waiting for. Pepitín is one of the most talented young soneros in Cuba. With his distinctive voice, he worked with Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor and Manolito y su Trabuco before deciding he wanted to start his own septeto to promote son cubano with a touch of timba. So be patient and enjoy the clip below!

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The trailer of "7 Days in Havana" is now up at YouTube and I was thrilled to see the segment with Alexander Abreu! As far as I know this is his movie debut and he plays a taxi driver / musician. Felicidades de Timba.com Alexander!

The film has 7 directors who each took one day of the week. The segments in order of appearance are: El Yuma by Benicio Del Toro, Jam Session by Pablo Trapero, La tentación de Cecilia by Julio Médem, Diary of a Beginner by Elia Suleiman, Ritual byGaspar Noé, Dulce amargo by Juan Carlos Tabío and La fuente by Laurent Cantet.

I don't know when it will be at theaters but the trailer looks great, although the girl-on-girl dancing action is a bit unrealistic for Cuba. Anyway, check out the trailer. If you look closely you cna see some of the other musicians from Havana D'Primera as well. Look for the movie at a theater near you!

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