89.1 WFDU-FM: benefit for non-commercial radio station at La Maganette in New York City

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2003 by Vicki Sola

We may have entered a new millennium, but some things never change--among them, the fact that non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations are as dependent as ever upon the listeners to keep quality Latin music on the air.

On November 10, 2002, the New York Latin music community came through for WFDU-FM 89.1 to ensure the survival of the non-commercial alternative program, "Que Viva La Música," on Saturday afternoon airwaves.

Each year fabulous musicians donate their talents and time to the cause. This year's event was all the more exciting with the participation of Alfredo De La Fé, as featured guest soloist with Jimmy Bosch. Violinist Susie Hansen, in town from the West Coast, also jammed. The packed house was thrilled when Bosch--after his own burning set and a number with fellow trombonist Demetrios Kastaris--stayed on stage to play for an additional half hour, as guest artist with Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón, Jr.'s danceable Latin jazz ensemble, Ensalada de Pulpo, featuring Pablo "Chino" Nuñez, Little Johnny Rivero, Ray Martínez and Orlando Vega.

More memorable moments occurred when flutists Eddie Zervigón, Connie Grossman, and Andrea Brachfeld stepped on stage to perform with Grupo Imagen. Grossman and Brachfeld sizzled in an extended version of Imagen's El Montunero. Billy Quiñones' fiery trumpet proved to be combustible when combined with Fajardo y Sus Estrellas, under the direction of the late José Fajardo's son Armando. Fajardo's violinist/guitarist David Rimelis cooked.

Beginning the eight-hour evening, Benny Vargas and Frankie Feliciano's Sonido Amante--a dynamic group of New York City salsero veteran warriors--rocked La Maganette. The affair ended in dramatic fashion, when Dave Santiago & Latin Affair (with Ray Vega) played their hit, Descarga Cuatro y Tres. An enormous tres-cuatro jam ensued, featuring the composer, Louis "Carrasceao" Rodríguez, along with Grammy-nominated star Nelson González, Grupo Imagen's Junior Rivera, SonSublime's Alex Fox, and Sonido Isleño's Ben Lapidus.

Also on hand and very supportive were Ray Barretto, Orlando Marín, Ralph Irizarry, Jesse Herrero, Sergio Rivera, Willie Amadeo, Hector Bonet, Aris Martinez, Mayito, Steven Vargas, Emo Luciano, WBAI's Chico Alvarez, DJ René Santiago, Howie Turner and Evelyn Moro, Elizabeth "Salsa Wonder" Meléndez, DJ Ray Colón, Len and Alberta Vadala, Izzy Sanabria, Ernie Ensley, Louis Laffitte, Alfie Alvarado of Street Level Productions, Nando Alvericci, Tiffany Wright and Jay Hudson, and in from London especially for the benefit, Salsa Club Sabroso's Brian and Maureen Moran.

As the late promoter Tony Rodríguez always said, "We never do it alone." I'd like to convey deep appreciation to all of the members of what has become, during these past seven years, a family of friends, listeners, dancers, sponsors, musicians and Latin music lovers. It is this family that made the Seventh Annual Latin Music Showcase & Dance Benefit for 89.1 WFDU-FM the most successful fundraiser to date. Great thanks are in order for Frank Caridi, Barbara Rodríguez, La Maganette's entire staff, and our sponsors Diane and Paul Korzinski and Paul's Motors, Robert Sancho and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Martin Cohen and Steve Nigohosian of LP Music Group, Salvador E Solá, III, Jaime Cruz and Enterprise P.A. Rental, Benjamin Jiménez & Ben "G" Productions, Bruce Polin and Descarga, DJ Jeff Stennett, Nelson Rodríguez-Nelrod Productions, Felix Sustache, Jr. and Luis Osorio.

In recognition of generous support and assistance, I'd also like to extend deep gratitude to Vicente and Cristina Barreiro (Casa Latina), David Wasserman and Bobby Marín (Latin Cool Records), Victor Cruz (Gotham Per Diem), Carlos Pagan (El Regreso), Freddy Velez and his men from the NYPD Hispanic Society, the International Latin Music Hall of Fame's Joe Hernández, David Hinckley (NY Daily News), Raymond A. Edel (The Bergen Record), Annie Bell (Time Out NY), Alan Geik, Cuban Pete Aguilar and Barbara Craddock, Richard Sanz González (Gino's Cale) and Robert Bernberg.

Muchas gracias to my superb Viva La Música Productions committee--Tommy Bonafe, Gilberto Colón, Jr., Mildred Cortés, Esther Díaz, Fred and Sari Goldstein, Willie and Dianne Padró, Salvador F. Solá, III, Ida Vega, and Freddy Velez. Finally, to my wonderful listeners! Yes, it does "take a village!" ¡Que viva la música!