Calle Real's third CD is available today at on-line digital retailers, just in time for Christmas!

It has been a long road - six years to be exact - but with patience, dedication and faith the guys from Calle Real will celebrate the release of their third album with a release party tonight at Scala Theater in Stockholm, Sweden. I happen to be out-of-town as often seems to be the case when we have timba events in Stockholm, so I will not eb able to report on the party. But I have already bought the CD and can recommend it as an important addition to any timbero's collection, be you DJ, dancer or simply someone who likes to listen. If you're lucky enough to be at the concert tonight or catch them in concert next year - bring some extra cash and pick up a hardcopy! Stay tuned for the full album review!

deja un comentario

continue reading Timbera Mayor

Maykel Blanco isn't content just maintaining his own band Salsa Mayor at the top of the charts year after year, as with their new release "Que no me quiten la fe" (review coming soon). He has also dedicated himself to finding new ways to promote Cuban music and dance, both on the island and internationally.

Part of this endeavor is the 1st annual Carnaval de la Salsa, which will take place in Havana from February 25-28. The program (which is still subject to change) includes concerts by the most popular timba bands in Cuba: Los Van Van, Issac Delgado, Klímax, Manolito y su Trabuco, Paulo FG, Tanja Pantoja, Havana D'Primera, Pupy y Los Que Son Son, El Niño y La Verdad, Elito Revé y Su Charangón, Bamboleo and of course Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor.

That is more than enough to make the Carnaval de la Salsa a must-attend event for any timba fan. But Maykel hasn't forgotten the dancers who want to work on their cubania . By day you can take part in workshops with well-known Cuban dance instructors and the special participation of Maykel Fonts.

For the parties, Maykel (Blanco) is also bringing in international DJs such as Jack El Calvo (France), El Samurai (Italy) and Patricia La Peruana (France), as well as Cuba's best-known timba DJ  - Mandy. There will  be comparsas every day, so this really is going to be an amazing event. I am tempted to ask for vacation, even though I just got back from Cuba three weeks ago. Book your plane tickets now before the prices go up! We will keep you updated, and don't forget to follow Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor at Facebook .

deja un comentario

continue reading Timbera Mayor

One of the most iconic young Cuban voices is back with a new single. Pepito Gómez has released "Como le digo que no" as a single at CD Baby. The song is his own composition with an arrangement that combines the New York sound with Cuba. Pepito gave us a little interview.

Michelle: Tell us about the new single.

Pepito: I composed this song for people who are in love. When a relationship starts, your friends and family start giving their opinions, and even if people say that this relationship isn't right for you or that this partner is not for you, it's too late to say no to what is already in your heart. Neither age difference, nor color, nor race matter when there is love.

Michelle: Is this just a single or part of a future CD?

Pepito: This song is a single from a series of songs that I have composed with the intention of recording a CD in 2016. My goal is to go to sing in Europe to the audience that I haven't seen for a little while, and that write asking when I can go. I think this year will have the opportunity to return.

Michelle: Which musicians were involved in the recording?

Pepito: The song was recorded by musicians from different countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru and New York. We have the opportunity o live together and bring to the music a little bit of flavor from every corner of the world. I am very happy that it is like this and that music serves to unite countries and musicians - that people can enjoy it and feel happy.

Michelle: Are you working on other projects as well?

Pepito: I have also a project that will involve several orchestras. I have already spoken with some directors who have said yes. I think it will be interesting if everything turns out as we plan. I think there's no doubt that the people who will enjoy it the most will be the dancers.

Click here to buy "Como le digo que no"

Bass:  Daymar Calvario  ...Cuba
Piano & Arrangement: Junito Davila .. Puerto Rico 
Congas: Mauricio Herrera Tamayo  ... Cuba 
Timbal: Bobby Allende ... Puerto Rico
Bongo: Jhair Sala  ... Peru 
Trumpet: Anibal Martinez  ...Puerto Rico
Trombone: Hommy Ramos  .... Puerto Rico
Coros: Carlos Acevedo y Papote Jimenez .... Puerto Rico
Lyrics , Music, Electric Tres & Production : Jose "Pepito" Gomez ... Cuba 
Mix & Mastering: Rolando Alejandro  ....Puerto Rico
Recording engineer: Adam Perez .... Dominican & Puertorican
Recorded in: Allerton Estudio Bronx NY 
General Production: Guararey Entertainment... NY

deja un comentario

continue reading Timbera Mayor

I was at Jazz Plaza in Havana (and also in Santiago de Cuba) in December, and in the near future I will be sharing a lot of what I learned and experienced.  For the moment, there are a number of important events during the next few months in Havana that deserve your attention:

I.
1st Carnaval de la Salsa,  25-28 February, 2016. 
Maykel Blanco is the producer of this street festival, which has a pretty stellar lineup:


For more information, there is a Facebook Page: Carnaval De La Salsa En Cuba

La XV Fiesta del Tambor Guillermo Barretto  (1-6 Marzo 2016, Habana) es un concurso y festival que atrae a más de 1000 músicos. 
El Centro Nacional de Música Popular convoca a la XV Edición del Concurso y Festival Internacional Fiesta del Tambor “Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam”, que se realizará en la Habana, del 1 al 6 de Marzo de 2016 y contará como sedes principales al Teatro Mella, Teatro Karl Marx, Sala Avenida, El Salón Rosado de La Tropical, Jardines del Teatro Mella
En este evento participarán importantes músicos y percusionistas nacionales e internacionales, las principales bandas de música popular bailable de Cuba, las compañías danzarias más destacadas del país, grupos de jazz, y grupos folklóricos, añadiendo que se impartirán Clases Magistrales de Percusión y Danza.
Como parte de las actividades del evento se realizarán dos Concursos Internacionales, uno de Percusión abierto a todas las edades y a todo el público, y el segundo de baile Casino también con carácter nacional e internacional para mayores de 15 años. Los ganadores de estos concursos recibirán premios de instrumentos musicales de firmas nacional e internacionalmente reconocidas como GON BOPS, SABIAN, PEARL, REGAL TIP, SONOC, EVANS, etc., y además la Cadena Hotelera Sol Meliá, la Agencia Paradiso y los sponsors del evento aportarán importantes reconocimientos tales como: estadía en sus instalaciones, diplomas acreditativos, etc.
La Agencia PARADISO es la receptora del evento.
Atentamente,
Giraldo Piloto
Presidente Fiesta del Tambor

Para más información, el sitio web es http://www.fiestadeltambor.cult.cu/

Cubadisco 2016  (May 14-22, 2016) & 1st Fiesta Mundial de Casino "Casino de Todos" (May 19-22, 2016), both in Havana Cuba

Cubadisco is part music awards (which carry the same level of prestige in Cuba that the GRAMMY awards carry in the United States), part symposium, part trade fair, part concert series, and this year the theme is Música Popular Bailable (Popular Dance Music),  Parallel with the event will be the 1st Fiesta Mundial de Casino, which will include workshops, dance parties and exhibitions. 
For more information in English, click here. 
Para más información en Español, haga clic aquí. 

In the near future, the Organizing Committee will be putting out a call to dance schools and casino groups that may wish to participate in the festival.   If you have a school or group that would like to inquire about participating, The President of the Organizing Committee is Juan Gómez, and his email cubadisco.acad@cubarte.cult.cu

En un futuro próximo, el Comité Organizador publicará una convocatoria para las escuelas de baile y grupos de casino que deseen participar en el festival. Si usted tiene una escuela o grupo que desea preguntar acerca de la participación, el Presidente del Comité Organizador es Juan Gómez, y su correo electronico es cubadisco.acad@cubarte.cult.cu 

NEW RADIO PROGRAM / NUEVO PROGRAMA RADIAL

ENGLISH:   Beginning February 1, yours truly (Bill Tilford) will be doing an hour-long radio program every Monday night from 8-9 PM EST called From the Isle of Music, dedicated to most of the genres of music that you can hear in Cuba.  More information @
From the Isle of Music
ESPAÑOL: A partir del 1 de febrero,  su servidor (Bill Tilford) va a hacer un programa radial de una hora todos los lunes por la noche de 8-9 PM EST llamada From the Isle of Music, dedicada a la mayoría de los géneros de la música que se puede escuchar en Cuba. Más información @ From the Isle of Music

deja un comentario

continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na