Que pasa: Los Angeles

Latin Beat Magazine, August, 1998 by Rudy Mangual

Summer in Los Angeles has once again been bien chévere, with primo concerts and excellent festivals. The month of June was Cuban music month at the Conga Room on the West Side of the city, featuring performances by Cubanismo, Vocal Sampling, Bamboleo, and Chucho Valdés. Jesús Alemañy and his Cubanismo band were consistently outstanding, performing two consecutive nights to full house audiences. With over half of the members of the band new, they were as impressive as the first time they performed here, with the likes of Maraca, Yosvany Terry, Rojita, and all the other big guns.

Personally, this band is the ultimate true Cuban music experience. Vocal Samplings performance was good but not as good as the first time they thrilled us with their a capella illusions. For those who witnessed the group for the very first time, it was a special treat. It is time to move on to something else, guys!

Pianist extraordinaire Chucho Valdés kicked big butt and took no prisoners. The wizard of the ivory keys was superb in every way in his performances and to top things off his guest star artist was none other than the pride of Puerto Rico, the young lion of the saxophone, David Sánchez.

In observance of one of Puerto Rico's traditional annual celebrations, Albert Torres Productions held their 2nd Annual Dia de San Juan Festival at the John Anson Ford Theater in Los Angeles, California. Headlining the event was the renowned Familia Cepeda Folkloric Ensemble led by Modesto Cepeda, direct from Puerto Rico. The masters of Puerto Rico's traditional rhythms, the bomba and plena, performed brilliantly and proudly to the full house audience. Through traditional dances and ancestral drumming rhythms, Cepeda and his folkloric ensemble painted a brief landscape of Puerto Rico for all to enjoy. Local salsa icons Johnny Polanco and the Crespo Brothers (Freddy & Johnny) directed an all-star big band of musician friends that paid tribute to the traditional artists of Puerto Rico and their music. The execution and delivery of well constructed arrangements were commendable as well as the dynamics and vocal interpretations. We salute and thank all those involved in the festival that also included numerous dancers and dance groups, making this a very special event.

Concurrently, less than a mile away, internationally praised singer Marc Anthony was performing with his band at the Greek Theater. Also enjoying a full house, the young salsero rocked the Greek on his first concert of the year following his participation in the Broadway musical, Capeman.

In July, La Banda Elástica Magazine and Levi's Jeans kicked off Las Noches del Dragon, the first in a concert series of emerging Rock en Español bands at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Featured bands included María Fatal, Pastilla, and Cábula.

Upcoming events:

1st Annual Conga Room Latin Dance Championships are on their way, with preliminaries every Thursday (July 16-August 20, 1998), at the Conga Room. Semifinals on Saturday, August 22 at Universal City Walk. Finals on Saturday August 29. 1st prize: A fully loaded Nissan 200SX SE, plus many other rewards. An amateur salsa category will be awarded. Info: (213) 549-9765.

Johnny Almendra & Los Jovenes del Barrio, on their first LA appearance, will be performing at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City on August 7, with Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad. Info: (310) 450-8770.

Larry Harlow & The Latin Legends World Tour - August 28, 1998, at the Sportsmen's Lodge, Studio City.

Poncho Sanchez & his Latin Jazz Band - September 11, 1998, at the Sportsmen's Lodge, Studio City.

Hollywood Salsa & Latin Jazz Festival - Saturday October 3, 1998, at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, starring the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, featuring members of the Grammy Award winning Buena Vista Social Club; from Puerto Rico, Gilberto Santa Rosa; from New York City, DLG - Dark Latin Groove; and from Los Angeles, Ozomatli. Info: (213) 480-3232. Support our local venues and artists. Peace.