English: Hoping to capitalize on the recent influx of Cuban bands performing in the U.S., the album Vestido de blanco by the Havana Heavy Hitters has made it to the first round ballot of the 54th Grammy Awards under Best Tropical Latin Album. Havana Heavy Hitters is a special musical project produced by drummer Michael Gerald and brothers Yosvel & Edduar Bernal Pina (Yosvel was the keyboardist and musical co-director for Paulito F.G. for almost a decade). Havana Heavy Hitters includes a truly all-star cast of some of the top and most world-renowned Cuban singers and instrumentalists of the contemporary tropical dance style (timba). It features members of Habana D' Primera (Alexander Abreu), Los Van Van (Hugo Morejón), Irakere (Michael Antes), Charanga Habanera (Michel Maza & Osmani Collado), Bamboleo (Rafael Paceiro), Klimax (Papiosco Torres), and Issac Delgado & Paulito F.G. (Roberto Cucurucho Rodríguez) among others. You can find full roster and album credits here. 

As you all know, Timba is completely under the radar as far as terrestrial US radio goes so your support is crucial to the movement. We would love it if all the fans could reach out to their Recording Academy member friends and ask them for their consideration. If you are not a member of the Grammys and don't know anyone who is just check it out to hear what all the buzz is about. The collective hope is that this helps build the momentum to get Alexander Abreu and Habana D'Primera and other Cuban artists their first tour of the US.

Español: Con la esperanza de sacarle provecho al surgimiento de los conciertos de grupos musicales cubanos aquí en los EE.UU., el álbum Vestido de blanco de los Havana Heavy Hitters ha llegado a la primera ronda y papeleta de votación de los 54tos Premios Grammy bajo la categoría "Best Tropical Latin Album" (Mejor Disco Tropical Latino). Havana Heavy Hitters es un proyecto especial producido por hermanos Yosvel & Edduar Bernal Pina (fue el tecladista y co-director musical de Paulito FG por un tiempo) y el baterista Michael Gerald. La grabación incluye un reparto verdaderamente estelar de algunos de los mejores, y más conocidos mundialmente,

cantantes e instrumentistas cubanos del estilo bailable contemporaneo (timba). Cuenta con miembros de Habana D' Primera (Alexander Abreu), Los Van Van (Hugo Morejón), Irakere (Michael Antes), Charanga Habanera (Michel Maza & Osamni Collado), Bamboleo (Rafael Paceiro), Klimax (Papiosco Torres), and Issac Delgado & Paulito F.G. (Roberto Cucurucho Rodríguez) entre otros. Oprima aquí para la lista completa de participantes y créditos.

Como todos ustedes saben, la Timba como género está completamente bajo el radar de los medios emitivos de radio terrestre en los EE.UU., por lo tanto tu apoyo es crucial para el movimiento. Nos encantaría que todos los seguidores del género puedan hacerles llegar esta noticia sus amigos (y amigas) miembros de la Academia de Grabación y pedirles que por favor consideren este álbum para la nominación. Si no eres miembro de los Grammys y no conoces a nadie que sea sólo échale una oída al álbum para que sepas de qué se trata toda la buya. La esperanza colectiva es que esto ayude a crear el impulso para conseguir que Alexander Abreu and Habana D Primera y otros artistas cubanos puedan llegar de primera gira acá a los EE.UU.

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Yesterday morning TIMBA.com received this official press release notifying us that the Los Van Van tour has been postponed. We then waited 24 hours in order to confirm that some of the Los Van Van dates will be played by, ironically enough, ex-Van Van pianist César "Pupy" Pedroso and his orchestra Los Que Son Son. Please call your venues to confirm if your tickets are still valid. Again, Pupy y los que Son Son to replace Los Van Van at Yoshi's SF and possibly other show dates.

Yoshi's SF also reports that Elio Revé and his Orquesta Revé is slated to perform at Yoshi's SF July 29 through August 1.

Press Release from Monterey International - Thu, May 6, 2010 at 11:06 AM

LOS VAN VAN TOUR POSTPONED 

The coordinators of the tour of Los Van Van regret to announce that, due to an unresolved business matter between the group and a third party and circumstances beyond their control, the U.S. tour of Los Van Van must be postponed.  This decision had nothing to do with U.S.-Cuba relations or any visa issues. Their I-129 visa petitions were approved.  

We hope to bring Los Van Van to the United States soon after resolution of the factors that prevented us from realizing this tour at this time.  

For more information, please call Bill Martinez, (415) 974-6485, bill@billmartinez.com 

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Haila (ex-Bamboleo) has a new album and she will be performing this Friday at S.O.B.s in New York City. Bassist Danny Rojo of PornoSon fame will be directing a group of local heavyweights (anyone have the complete list?).   

The official Los Van Van website is down = www.vanvandeformell.com = but after months of rumors that lead singer Mario "Mayito" Rivera left the iconic band (a press release was made on the Los Van Van website), no one has yet to report that they have seen them perform with the alleged new replacement Armando "Mandy" Cantero (formerly of Pupy y los que Son Son among others). Los Van Van performed in Mexico recently without Mayito but Mandy was not present, even though it was reported he was in Mexico at the time.  In related news Mayito has been singing with Monika (Mesa) y la Máquina Perfecta.  

Manolito y su Trabuco are in Hamburg, Germany today then covering Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Serbia and the Netherlands. Cuban music is truly international. Check out the tour page for all the official dates. 

Maykel Blanco's recent, independently produced US tour was well received and attended. The band was really TIGHT and executed consistently with tremendous energy. I really missed their recent hit "Un Kilo" which was not featured in any of the shows. I saw them in 2007 and this is by far the best group configuration, rhythm and horn sections. The pedal and bomba gears were in full, hard-hitting force. The singers delivered pure fun. Hoping they will be back next year for sure. Rumor has it Miami has 2 new singers and one smoking keyboard player. 

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May 8, 2010 3:43 AM:  MANOLITO y SU TRABUCO ACABÓ EN LOS ANGELES! SAN FRANCISCO YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT!  Just came back from the Sportsmen's Lodge that was filled to capacity tonight for the TRABUCO's first concert on their U.S. Tour 2010!  Before hitting the sack I wanted to let you know that it was a great night in L.A. and the concert-goers were thrilled with the group's energy and musicianship....... click here to read more from Kay Torres "Curuyé in LA"

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