Cuban American Music Festival

Latin Beat Magazine, August, 2004 by Ricky Richardson

The great celebration of Cuban culture, the Cuban American Music Festival, known as "Presencia Cubana en Los Angeles," returned to its traditional location by the lake in Echo Park, on Sunday, May 23rd, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Marking its 10th anniversary, the celebration honored the late Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz.

Throughout a career that spanned six decades and yielded over 70 albums, Celia Cruz endeared herself to audiences worldwide with her inimitable style, unmatched stage energy and a singing quality that can only be described as "sabor." Celia Cruz's legacy lives on in her recorded music and in the hearts of her millions of fans. For the first time ever, a festival has been named in her honor with the title of "Cuban Music Festival Honoring Celia Cruz," a fitting posthumous tribute. The City of Los Angeles' Cultural Affairs Department has been sponsoring this important Californian festival, a tree event produced for ten consecutive years at the José Marti Plaza in Los Angeles' famous Echo Park.

Additionally supported by corporations and the most prominent local Cuban organizations, this event serves as a platform to show new Cuban generations and other ethnic communities the art, culture and mouth-watering food annually found at this location. The festival enjoys wide popularity amongst all of the diverse ethnic communities in Los Angeles.

Eugenio Guerra served as Master of Ceremonies. DJ Saoco played Celia Cruz's music between each set, to the delight of the audience.

Popular local music acts enchanted the overflowing crowd in Echo Park. Orquesta Guamá kicked off the festival with some hot Latin rhythms. This group has only been together for five months, so this festival served as their debut to the world. Its members included Rubén Rives (flute), Brian Velásquez (keyboards), Larry Vásquez (bass), Luis Alba (congas), Alfredo Ortíz (lead vocals), Marco Taboray (timbal), and violinists Rocio Marrón and Kirsten Bersch.

The next performance was conducted by Long John Oliva & Timbache. Long John Oliva is a master of rumba, Latin jazz, son, salsa and timba. The explosive band consisted of Long John Oliva (congas), José Hernández (percusión), Iván (tres), Raúl Pineda (timbal), Fermín Sifuenres (keyboards/piano), Jorge Pérez (bass), Javier Vergara (sax/flute/soprano), Arturo Solar (trumpet) and Garrett Smith (trombone).

Yamila & Family took the stage next. Yamila, an exciting and charismatic performer, sang and danced throughout the fully-charged set. She had everyone's undivided attention.

The LA Salsa Kids are always a treat to watch. Despite their young ages, its members have had the pleasure of performing not only all over California but throughout the United States, and they represent a wonderful compliment to every event.

Closing out the festival with a splendid show was the one and only Charanga Cubana.