A bite from the Apple—New York

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Vicki Sola

Conguero Joaquín "Kimo" Solís provides the beat for La Maganette's dancers every last Wednesday of each month, performing with Fajardo y Sus Estrellas, under the direction of Armando, son of the late maestro José Fajardo.

A native of Puerto Rico, Solís was handpicked by bandleader/timbalero Armando Fajardo to contribute to the band's updated sound. Solís, whose skills and speed are exceptional, also works with Eddie Santiago, Frankie Negrón, George Lamond, and David Millán y su Café con Leche. In addition, Solís is the first-call percussionist for the Craig Scott, Barry Herman, and Hank Joel wedding bands in New Jersey.

Recently, Solís introduced me to one of his colleagues, percussionist Noey Matos, whose career spans almost three decades. Of Puerto Rican descent, Matos grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side and cites both gospel and Latin music as having influenced his style.

He was the bandleader for the Alegre Records group Fuego '77, and in July 1978, graced the cover of Latin New York Magazine. In 1980, Matos formed Alma Caliente, which recorded on Roberto Torres' Tobaga Records (a subdivision of SAR.) "This recording," said Matos, "led to extensive travel with the SAR All Stars." Matos' next project was a collaboration with Ray Barretto's former lead singer, Adalberto Santiago and his orchestra, and he was featured with that band in the film "Moscow on the Hudson."

In 1984, during a performance in New York's Corso nightclub, Latin Percussion's Martin Cohen invited Matos to participate in the "Latin Percussion Partners in Greatness" campaign. Matos has been sighted on TV in Puerto Rico, playing LP congas in a Budweiser commercial, and also with his own Latin Jazz All Stars on the program "No Te Duermas." "One of my favorite recordings," recollected Matos, "was with the Afro Cuban band where I was featured on full percussion on the tune Bang Bang."

Vocalist Willie Amadeo, who recorded the hits Tears on My Pillow, Mario Rumba, and Always and Forever with percussionist Ernie Acevedo's Conjunto Imagen, is releasing a second production on the Mambo City label. The CD's title track, Cierra Los Ojos (produced by Aris Martínez) is receiving airplay in the Apple. Amadeo, who has been featured as a backup singer for Tony Vega, and has recorded or performed with Charanga América, Willie Colón, George Lamond, Frankie Negrón, D.L.G., Charlie Cruz, Raulín Rosendo and Junior González, will perform at Foxwood's Casino in Connecticut, on November 7.

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick" for the month: Cuídate Compay II by Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta.

Congratulations to flutist Connie Grossman and Danny Leviatin, who tied the knot at Hastings-on-Hudson, on August 3. Jesse Herrero's SonSublime (which features Grossman on flute) performed at the reception. Mauricio Smith, Jr. sat in for the radiant bride, who delighted the attendees by playing several numbers. Orchestra Broadway's Eddie Zervigón also jammed.

With sadness, I report the passing of flutist/saxophonist/composer/ arranger Mauricio Smith, Sr., in the late hours of August 3. Smith, who played with both the Machito and Lou Pérez orchestras, was honored in a memorial service held this past August 24 at The Church of All Saints, in Brooklyn. His son Mauricio Smith, Jr., Papo Pepín, and Ralph Irizarry were among those who performed at the tribute.

The Machito Orchestra, featuring Giovanni Hidalgo, Jimmy Bosch, Larry Harlow, Carlos "Patato" Valdés and Johnny Pacheco, offered a superb jam at the Beacon Theater, this past August 10. On that same evening, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros' 50-year career was honored at Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The Ray Santos Orchestra performed, with Latin Grammy nominee Nelson González as the opening act.

Laser luster ... Foto Rodríguez y su Orquesta La Unica have just released Sabroso, a production celebrating the group's 22nd anniversary. In 1980, Rodríguez founded La Unica (Philadelphia's first charanga) with Pupi Legarreta.

Sony Music Entertainment has released several reissues and compilations of interest--Machito & his Afro Cuban Orchestra: Mambo Mucho Mambo--the Complete Columbia Masters (featuring 20 classic tracks originally recorded from 1951-52), Xavier Cugat--The Original Latin Dance King (containing 26 numbers recorded from 1940-57), The Best of the Fania AllStars (featuring 13 hits from the '70s, including artists Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, and Randy Brecker) and Ritmo de la Noche/Rhythm of the Night: The Very Best of Latin Jazz, with material originally released from 1956 to 2002, by Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, David Sánchez, Gato Barbieri, Astrud Gilberto, Hank Crawford, Herbie Mann, Cachao, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Arturo Sandoval, Al Di Meola, Ed Calle, Paquito D'Rivera, and Santana.

Around town ... Singer Héctor Bonet recently performed at the South Street Seaport and at the Apollo Theater.

Mambo City Productions has been presenting Saturday Night Salsa at the Wild Palm, with a line-up including Johnny Pacheco, Oscar D'León, Roberto Roena, Orquesta Broadway, Wayne Gorbea, Willie Amadeo, Ray de la Paz, Dave Santiago & Latin Affair, Los Soneros Del Barrio, and José Alberto (El Canario).