Ladies and Gentlemen this year, as every year, it is time for me to remind you that timba was "officially" born this month in 1989 with the formation of NG La Banda by Maestro José Luis Cortés on April 4. So today we celebrate that momentous event that eventually changed all of our lives. Thank you El Tosco for starting the timba trend!

How will you celebrate International Timba Month? In the US you should catch one of the remaining concerts by La Charanga Habanera . In Europe you can find Los Van Van and here in Scandinavia we have the Viking Line Cuba cruises with Elito Revé y Su Charangón, La Charanga Forever and Yumurí y Sus Hermanos. I plan to celebrate with a few timba cruises assuming I can get free from work which has been unusually busy for me this spring.

So let's all look back with a bit of nostalgia on the band that started it all: NG La Banda with one of my favorite songs, "La Bruja" from back in 1992.

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The 3rd Annual International Guaguancó Festival will be held from June 22-24 in Barcelona, Spain. This year's festival is dedicated to Gregorio Hernández better known as "El Goyo", a legendary rumbero who passed away earlier this year.

The festival offers classes with live music for both students and teachers in a wide variety of Afro-Cuban dances such as: Yoruba dances, Rumba Guaguancó, Columbia, Yambú, Contemporary Afro, Congo: Makuta, Palo & Yuca, Timba, Afro-Rumba, Franco-Haitian, Abakuá, Arará, Rumba Casino, Folkloric songs, Rueda de Casino, Son and Cubatón.

There will also be dance performances and live music including the amazing line up of La Charanga Habanera Friday the 22nd and Tirso Duarte & La Mecánica Loca Sunday the 24th!

Check out the Guaguancó Festival 2012 promotional video below.

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I "met" Billy probably about 10 years ago. He is one of my Internet timba friends to whom I feel very close, although we have never met in person, and in recent years we have dropped out of touch. If you've been a follower of the world timba scene for the past several years, you are probably familiar with his blog, MisterBryans. For six years his blog was the absolute leading source of information on what was happening within Cuban music and dance in the rapidly-growing Canadian scene. He began traveling to Cuba back in the early 90s and has worked with musicians such as Telmary and Alberto Alberto.

But Billy's illustrious musical career began long before timba. He began working as a professional musician 40 years ago. He may be best known in Canada as the drummer of the Parachute Club. He has also worked as a promoter, DJ and publicist, not only in Cuban music but also with African and Brazilian music.

Five years ago Billy fought and won a bought with lung cancer. Sadly he is ill again. Now Canada's musical community is rallying behind the man who has given so much to them, and to the world, with a Rumbón for Billy Bryans this Thursday April 19 at Lula Lounge. Billy has worked closely with Lula Lounge over the years, DJing there quite often for Timba events. All funds from the event will go to help cover Billy's expenses. The rumbón will include a dance lesson, dance performances and a concert by Alex Cuba. For more information and to book a table see Lula's website.

And, Billy, on behalf of all of your friends around the world who can't be there on Thursday, I send you our love and our good vibes. Take care of yourself!

Billy on drums with Parachute Club - Rise up!

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The dust is beginning to settle over Havana after the wave of changes sweeping over La Charanga Habanera in its twenty-fifth year: first the departure of Randy Malcom to Gente D'Zona, then the return of "Lachy Fortuna", Lázaro Maya, to La Revé and most recently and, perhaps most surprisingly, the departure of veteran charanguero Aned Mota to work on projects together with his wife, Diva Haila Mompie. But as Paulo FG might say las aguas tomaron su nivel with the return of Yulién Oviedo to the group, at least for the time being. Indeed Yulién himself sang no hay mal que por bien no venga, and the first video I've seen of the new line up shows us a move back to serious timba, the band having recently won at Cubadisco for their second foray into Latin pop called "Charanga Light 2". According to a recent interview with David Calzado on "23 y M", the new CD will be out soon and will get back to some serious timba. 

With that I leave you to ponder the world of musical chairs that is Havana's music scene, and with a sample of what is to come and a look at new singers El Dandy and El Guay; now re-named El Chapy Guay it seems. Say what you will about the hair styles but trust me, after the dance routine, you will enjoy what you hear! 

La Charanga Habanera - Partienda la tarima (estreno)

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