San Francisco: Desde La Bahia

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 1999 by Jesse Varela

THE BEAT GOES ON! The San Francisco Bay Area Salsa scene is currently in a good state of health with a great crop of bands, a vibrant nightclub scene, and a plethora of superstar artists rolling through. As we edge toward a new century, I give credit for this upsurge to '80s and '90s Latino and Caribbean migration to the Bay Area, radio, a cast of musicians in their prime, and ah adoring and better informed public of Latins and non-Latins. While there is no longer one club catering to Salsa all week, there's enough Salsa jumping from club-to-club to fill the week.

THE CLUBS: Right now a Salsa renaissance is taking place in the San Francisco Mission District that is encouraging. With venues like The Roccapulco, El Valenciano, Cafe Cocomo, El Rio and The Elbo Room, the barrio is dancing to the timba of Jesús Díaz y su QBA, the charanga of Charanson, Egardo Cambon y su Candela, Fito Reinoso y Ritmo y Armonia, Cubanacan, or the New York City swing of Mazacote or Azebache. The Peruvian salsa of Pepe y su Orquesta and Julio Bravo are packing houses as are Caña Roja and Avance.

Pepe put out a nice commercial Salsa release this year - Una vez mas gozando! - (his second to date) that has drawn major play throughout Latin America and Bay Area Spanish-language radio. Bravo is one of the few bands featuring women up front as lead vocalists and a tight ensemble that cooks.

In September, salsa stars Rubén Blades and José Fajardo brought their artistry to Roccapulco and Cafe Cocomo in a barrio now fighting for its Latino heritage as gentrification is pricing out long time residents in the Mission. Oye como va baby.... Elsewhere in the city, venues like Jelly's Club Havana are jumping on Sundays, Cafe Dunord swings salsa on Tuesday nights, Fridays are a hit at Bahia Cabana, Los Compas are still kicking at Pier 23, Benny Velarde y su Supercombo are still swinging, and even Salsa-impresario and pianist César Ascarrunz is back on the scene with his All-Stars band and making yet another bid to be mayor of San Francisco.

The Berkeley area has also blossomed a vibrant circuit that includes Mr. E's, La Peña, Cafe Caracas, Caribbean Spice, and now Maiko's on San Pablo Ave. near University Ave.-"The New Club with Style."

Nearby, Kimball's East in Emeryville has sparked competition between Pete Escovedo's joint, Mr. E's, and Kimball's East, with both now offering live salsa on Wednesday nights. E's has now added salsa on Sundays too. Bands grooving in the Eastbay and throughout include Dulce Mambo, Orquesta Borinquen, Orquesta Original, and Conquista Musical.

The dance studios and the excellent dance teams are also maintaining the artistry and glamour of ballroom-style Salsa dancing. Spots like The Beat in Berkeley, Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville, and Latin Planet at Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland are hosting impressive dancer/instructors like Jake & Techi (www.salsabyjake.com), Garry & Isabelle, and Joel & Sorcy. They're also the ones making the rounds giving dance lessons that have led to this dancehall boom.

Beyond the Bay Area the scene is clean with places like Club Exclusive - San Mateo, Alberto's - Mountain View, Club Miami - San José, Flamingo Resort Hotel - Santa Rosa, The Sheraton Hotel - Concord, Harlowe's-Club Conga-Brannons - Sacramento. There are many spots being hosted musically by DJs. Longtime KPFA salsa-titan Luis Medina, recently awarded the 2nd annual Martha Martínez Memorial "Spirit of the Music" Award for his longtime community service as a salsa ambassador, and Yvette Fuentes, hold it down at Jelly's. Tony O sews it up at Roccapulco, DJ Baaba-loop kicks it down at the Elbo Room, and DJ José Ruiz burns Friday nights at El Rio. Other DJs floating around are DJ Papi Chocolate & Corzan, El Baron De La Salsa, DJs Joe Feliciano, Mauricio, Dennis Gallegos, and Freaky G.

MANNERS: While Salsa is booming in the night life there are requirements that make a place succeed or fail. Recently I joined a Bay Area salsa chat room that has great communication about the local Latin scene (www.sfbaysalsa.net). These are movers and shakers who love to dance and frequent the clubs supporting bands with their patronage. The exchange of information and topics is refreshing and stimulating. A list was posted that I feel needs to be shared about what validates a good club and its service to the public. This is a good thumbnail of what people like and expect from a reputable venue:

1. Good/safe parking

2. Clean bathrooms

3. Good air conditioning/or fresh air

4. Decent band/DJ and sound system

5. Good service

6. Fun dancers/friendly people

EL LUGAR! A perfect example of all these factors coming together occurred at the first salsa dance performance at the Oasis Showroom of the Casino San Pablo, a gaming facility in the Eastbay that has been catering to a diverse menu of music from R&B to country.

On Saturday October 9, salsa's crown princess - La India - held court at the plush Oasis Showroom of the San Pablo Casino. With a crack 12-piece band from New York City, La India took royal leisure getting on stage but it was cool letting the band swing a couple of Latin Jazz pieces that included Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage and Tito Puente's Oye Como Va.