San Francisco music fans are in for a treat: prior to hitting Los Angeles for the Grammys, Miami’s Afro-Cuban Funk band PALO! will be performing in San Francisco for the first time. "We’re excited to play for our friends and fans in the Bay area.” says Steve Roitstein, the band’s founder and keyboardist. “It’s gonna be a blast performing in such a great venue” referring to The Addition (formerly Yoshi’s) San Francisco, where they are booked for a show on Friday, January 30. “We also look forward to bringing our music to folks who haven’t yet had a chance to check us out live.”

PALO! @ The Addition - Friday January 30 2015
Doors 7pm / show 8pm - All Ages Event
The Addition (formerly Yoshi's - San Francisco)
1330 Fillmore St - San Francisco, CA, 94115

>>> CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS <<<

Leslie Cartaya sings on the set of the upcoming new video from Afro-Cuban Funk Band PALO!

A live show is where PALO! shines brightest; their album “PALO! Live” was recorded at their 10-year anniversary show, and the results have been impressive. Prior to getting the 2015 Grammy nod, the record was nominated for a Latin Grammy as Best Contemporary Tropical Album of 2014. 

“Our music, steeped in the traditions of Afro-Cuban music, funk, and jazz, thrives in a live setting. We leave room for improvisation and spontaneity, while striving to hit a deep, danceable groove.” After hearing PALO!’s catchy songs and the spectacular vocals of Leslie Cartaya, you will understand why the music industry has recognized this group with two nominations.

Stay tuned to timba.com for more PALO! news; in the weeks to come we will feature the world premiere of their new video for the song “La Malanga Resbala” from their Grammy-nominated album. In the meantime, check out the EPK:

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This is the longest of the Beyond Salsa youtube series, with all sorts of backstories, lyrics, live video clips and photos - covering a truly unbelievable part of the Van Van story.

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Another major milestone for El Tren - but sadly the first without their founder.

The big news, of course, is the release of La fantasía. By my count, this is the 26th album of new material. We have: the 15 original EGREM albums, released as La colección; the 5 masterpieces of the 90s, Malecón (has several new originals), Chapeando, Arrasando, La maquinaria and now La fantasía.

At timba.com we have a lovingly prepared recounting of the first first decade and its historical context, a more general surveyon the 80s that includes mini-reviews of all Van Van's releases, and a complete discography.

The Van Van story is also told in parts in the Beyond Salsa series. BS Piano, Vol. 3 covers the first decade, Vol. 10 runs from 1979-1983, Vol. 11 from 1984-1987, Vol. 12 from 1988 to Pupy's departure in 2001. I've yet to write a book on the post-2001 period, but it's coming.

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Back on the topic of Los Van Van's 45th anniverary, we have the updated Discography section and the latest Beyond Salsa video - on the 2nd Pupy Pedroso book and concluding with an epic 18-minute mashup of the avalanche of hooks unleashed by Pupy in his final two decades with the band:

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