A bite from the Apple—New York - music performances - Columna

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2004 by Vicki Sola

Congratulations to Manny Oquendo & Libre, who celebrated their 30-year anniversary in style in both New York and Puerto Rico this past October. Libre's concert at the Tito Puente Amphitheater (Muñoz Marín Park in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico) took place on the group's actual anniversary, October 24th, according to musical director Andy González. Oquendo and González formed the seminal group in NYC, whose stellar roster has featured artists Jerry González, Oscar Hernández, Barry Rogers, Papo Vásquez, Dave Valentin, Jimmy Boseh, Pupy Torres, Hermán Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Milton Cardona, Felo Barrio, Willie Rodriguez and Sreve Turré. Jerry and Andy González, Frankie Vásquez, Eddy Zervigón, Papo Vásquez, and original vocalists Pupy Torres and Tempo Alomar performed with Libre in Puerto Rico. González informed us that the band enjoyed generaus press coverage during the memorable trip.

The New York celebration rook place on October 15th at La Maganette, where Zervigón and Papo Vásquez amazed the crowd, taking solos on La Pelota. Also jamming with Libre that evening was Joe Canoura, a flutist known for his work on Ray Barretto's 1973 album, Carnaval (reissued on CD by Faurasy in 1993). Libre was presented with a cake while patrons gave Manny Oquendo a round of applause in honor al his 57 years in the music business.

Recently, on my radio program "Qué Viva La Música," I've been spinning numbers by México's sale charanga, Orquesta Charanga Cubana, and I've been receiving positive listener feedback. The group's founder and director, violinist Frank Morales, who carne to México from Cuba 12 years ago, informed me that the charanga style is virtually unknown in México, but his charanga, (founded in Querétaro, México in November of 2000) is trying to change that.

The group, which consists of a mix of Cuban and Mexican musicians, already has two CDs to its credit: Orquesta Charanga Cubana's, Vol. 1 (2001) and Vol. 2, (2002). In addition to Morales, the Cuban musicians in the band include Bernardo Hidalgo Rios (tres and chorus), Sergio Quintero Pérez (violín), Maritza Hidalgo Ríos (piano), Vladimir Morales Rodríguez (güiro), Luis Gómez Rodríguez (bass and chorus), and Ernesto "Kiko" Pérez Díaz (vocalist). Their Mexican counterparts are Daniel Arturo Ochoa Martínez (flute), Elpidio Joachin Romero (vocalist), José Luis Garcia Ramires (congas), and Marcos Espino Roque (timbal).

According to writer and musician Leonardo Rosen, Orquesta Charanga Cubana performs every Saturday night in the Hotel Mirage, in Querétaro. Morales continues to rail tirelessly to establish charanga music in his adopted country. Along with his wife Maritza and daughters (Magaly and Magda), he operates a music school and plays classical music. "However," states Morales, "the Orquesta Charanga Cubana is our dream. It is, after all, in our blood."

The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts announces that four of its students have been honored with scholarships from the Celia Cruz Foundation. The foundation, created by Pedro Knight and Cruz's manager Omer Pardillo, is dedicated to offering financial assistance to Latin music students and to organizations devoted to battling career. The scholarship recipients include piano students Luis Gómez (age 14) and Yeissonn Villamar (age 16), percussion student Camilo Gaetán-Molma page 13), and timbal student Jessica Rodriguez (age 17). Gómez and Villamar are both former recipients of Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarships, and Gaetán Molina is a Tito Puente Scholarship Fund recipient. Congratulations to these future torchbearers of our musical culture, for the excellence they have achieved and for the dedication they have demonstrated.

Speaking of excellence and dedication, my WFDU-IM colleague Jaime Rodriguez is hosting and producing a weekly Internet show named "Salsa Puta, Salsa Dura," with heavy-duty, old school salsa, every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (EST), online at www.wfdu.fm.

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick of the Month": Ismael Mirandas Serenata Huasteca.

Around town ... Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos bad folks dancing non-stop at La Maganerte recently, with their brand of hard-driving, no-non sense salsa dura. Their most recent CD is aptly titled Dancer's Paradise (Entre Amigos Rec.), and features special guests Yomo Toro and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye celebrated the release of their new production, It's Time? (BKS Rec), at Saralla, on November 6. Members of Timbalaye include Roberto Quintero, Waldo Chávez, Luis Perdomo, Alex Norris, Bob Francheschini, and Noah Bless. Featured on the CD as invited guests are Raúl Agraz, Andrea Brachfeld, Mike Stern, and Felipe Luciano.

Vocalist Yardena and her group Zona Tropical have been performing at the Garage Restaurant & Cale and The Bubble Lounge.

Orquesta Aragbn was in town and played at Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, with guest artists Johnny Pacheco and Dave Valentin.

Jesse Herrero's SonSublime and Dave Santiago & Latín Affair have been Club Mambo Baby staples in recent weeks.