Joe Cuba and Dave Valentin son homenajeados en festival musical - músicos Latinos - TT: Joe Cuba and Dave Valentin honored at music festival - TA: latin music performers - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, June, 2001 by Louis Laffitte

One of the most difficult tasks to accomplish in the music industry is that of becoming a Latin music impresario. Financial backing is most important. Next are the magnetic draw of musicians involved and the locale of the music event. On Sunday, February 4, Armando Mojica was encouraged to stage a concert and discover if he had a chance at becoming an impresario. As the magnets that would draw, he decided on honoring Dave Valentín, whom at the moment is one of Latin Jazz's most popular artists; Joe Cuba, whose group since 1954 has thrilled dancers throughout the world; Kenny Giordano, proprietor of the Bronx's Willie's Steak House, where musicians have been congregating for the last ten years every Wednesday night for jam sessions, and Latin music historian Max Salazar, who has had well over 150 Latin music articles published since 1968.

On Saturday, March 24, 2001; the concert was staged at the Bronx's Globe Theatre, 640 Pelham Parkway. All 440 seats were sold and people were turned away at the box office. Master of ceremonies Ernest "Chico" Alvarez and this writer announced the music performers: Dave Valentín, Joe Cuba Sextet, Gilberto "El Pulpo" Colón, Nicky Marrero, Steve Pouchie, Connie Grossman, Ray Turull, Juan José, Luz Del Carmen, Sonny Rivera's Vibe Quintet (featuring Andrea Brachfeld on flute), Ralph Irrizary's Timbalaye, the sizzling Kevin Ceballo orchestra and the legendary Puerto Rican vocalist Vitín Avilés. At one moment, Joe Cuba caused bedlam when he invited vocalist Willie Torres (member of the original group) to sing Mujer Divina. The noise was deafening.

The concert, which was videotaped by salsa music historian Henry Medina, ended at 1:15 a.m. Contributing to the concert's success were the promotions of the radio programs of Vicki Sola's WFDU's Que Viva La Música, Carlos Rosario & German Santana's WKCR's Caribe Latino, Chico Alvarez's New World Gallery and a very effective promotion by Ana Araiz. There is a new kid on the New York Latin music scene and his name is Armando Mojica.