New blood: Orquesta expresión latina

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 1997

Founded over ten years ago by composer/vocalist Francisco "Papo" Medina Sr. (a native of Puerto Rico), Expresión Latina is one of the premier salsa bands in the Northwest region of North America. Based out of Tacoma, Washington, the ensemble of twelve-plus musicians has performed from Canada to San Francisco, packing clubs and filling dance floors as well as delighting festival crowds.

A minimum of 4 horn players, a 5-piece rhythm and percussion section, plus 3 vocalists, makes Expresión Latina a powerhouse of Latin music. Their repertoire includes rhythms from the Caribbean, salsa, merengue, cumbia, Afro-Cuban, as well as what they call "power salsa," Afro-Caribbean music with the sound of a jazz big band.

Francisco "Junior" Medina, son of Medina Sr., is the band's musical director. Junior is a well respected Northwest percussionist, having performed with bands La Bandera, Orchestra Tropical, Roadside Attraction, and the Seattle-based Latin jazz ensemble Sonando.

Recently, the Medinas and the rest of the band released their debut CD titled Realidad on the Tocolo Música label. The CD features eight compositions including fan favorites Realidad and Caridad. Arranging credits for this production go to Laurence B. Brazitis, bassist for the band. The Northwest music media has described the band as "Latin Expresión, the Northwest's best kept salsa secret, will defy you to sit still." So, if you ever journey to the Northwest, check out this bunch of nice guys making hot salsa music.