A bite from the Apple—New York - Columna

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2002 by Vicki Solá

On January 30, 2002, Armando Fajardo moved his timbales up to the front of the stage at New York's La Maganette and began a new chapter in his life, that of assuming the role of bandleader, and carrying on the name, music and orchestra of his father, legendary flutist/band-leader José Antonio Fajardo, who passed away on December 11, 2001.

Armando's mother Miriam looked on tearfully but proudly as her son led Fajardo y Sus Estrellas through two dynamic sets of El Maestro's repertoire. The band, which featured the addition of Armando's vocalist sister Inés, and Orchestra Broadway's flutist/leader Eddie Zervigón, was the pure embodiment of energy and vibrancy, whipping out classic after classic tunes, giving dancers little chance to catch their breath.

One unforgettable highlight of the evening occurred spontaneously when three star flutists, Andrea Brachfeld, Connie Grossman, and Karen Joseph, took to the stage together and performed a spectacular jam in tribute to the man they revered. Other participating musicians included timbaleros Ralph Irizarry and Orlando Marín, singer Julio Salgado, Latin Affair's flutist Dave Santiago, Jr. and conguero Ernie Acevedo, leader of Grupo Imagen (a band that once featured Armando Fajardo, and one with which José Fajardo also recorded). Check out La Doctora from the 1996 R&E CD Christmas with Imagen. Also on hand that evening were Amsterdam, Holland's Latin music radio hosts "Dr. & Mrs. Salsa," Dr. Ira Goldwasser and Harriett Broekman, who stopped in to pay their respects before flying to Puerto Rico. Everyone in the house felt the presence of José Fajardo, who had performed on that very stage every last Wednesday night of each month. Indeed, toward the end, he'd struggled to blow his very last bits of breath into his flute.

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick" of the month: El Cuarto de Tula, by 3 Son Salsa (Mock & Roll Recs.).

Laser luster ... Bassist Ray Martínez is producing a fourth release for his salsa band, Conjunto Criollo. Martínez, a native of the Dominican Republic, arranged, composed, and recorded with Mongo Santamaría, and has also performed with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, Hector Lavoe, Dave Valentín, Ismael Rivera, Típica '73, Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón's Ensalada de Pulpo Latin jazz ensemble, Africando, David Byrne, Juan Luis Guerra, and recorded with Paul Simon. My personal picks from Conjunto Criollo are Por Qué No Me Invitas a Guarachar, and A Los Bailadores.

Vocalist Frankie Morales and his Mambo of the Times orchestra have released Mambo of the Times (Cobo Music). Morales, who, most recently was the Tito Puente Orchestra's singer, features an all-star cast, including more than a few of his fellow Puente colleagues on this production--Johnny Rodriguez, George Delgado, Pablo "Chino" Nuñez, Lucho Cueto, Sonny Bravo, Ruben Rodríguez, Hector Colón, John Walsh, Reynaldo Jorge, Mario Rivera, Pete Miranda, Mitch Frohman, Pete Rodríguez, Jr., Adalberto Santiago, Ray de la Paz, and José Mangual, Jr., Nuñez, Bravo, Isidro Infante, Willie Ruiz, Hiram de Jesús, Ricky González, José Madera, and Ray Santos did the full-bodied arrangements. My own favorites are the nostalgic Mambo of the Times and Ya Se Nos Fue.

Greek born vibraphonist Christos Rafalides' new release Manhattan Vibes (Khaeon) is truly versatile, featuring tribal African rhythms, creative covers of standards Caravan, Fool on the Hill, and All the Things You Are, funky and jazzy execution of original compositions, and Latin swing. Check out the outstanding Curet Alonso classic, La Esencia Del Guaguancó. Joining Rafalides are bassist John Benítez, drummer Steve Haas, and a special guest roster that includes percussionist Luisito Quintero and trumpeter Randy Brecker.

Laser luster revisited ... Manny Oquendo sent me the 1996 salsero release, Libre: Greatest Hits, and my listeners have been enjoying it ever since. Que Humanidad, Bamboleate, Goza La Vida, Imagenes Latinas, Suavecito, El Son, La Salsa, Por Qué Tú Sufres, No Critiques, Alabanciosa, and Estoy Como Nunca are the tracks on this collection. The collective talent is also mind-boggling. Oquendo's roster for this CD lists brothers Andy and Jerry González, Oscar Hernández, Néstor Torres, Barry Rogers, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Jimmy Bosch, Nelson González, Alfredo de la Fé, Milton Cardona, Felo Barrios, Hector "Tempo" Alomar, "Pupy" Torres, and Hermán Olivera.

These days find Manny Oquendo and Libre busy. The group was recently billed with Pedro Conga's orchestra and Frankie Morales and his Mambo of the Times orchestra at S.O.B.'s. That night, Libre raised the roof with four trombones and one trumpet, and a new twist--Orchestra Broadway's Eddie Zervigón on flute. They've also played Babalu's and La Maganette, and, as I write this, they're packing for a weekend in Cancun, and stints in Colombia and Puerto Rico.

Around town ... February found Frankie Vásquez in the Apple celebrating the release of Los Soneros del Barrio's second production, Remembranzas at S.O.B's. Vásquez now makes Puerto Rico bis home.