Our friend, conguero and La Bolá leader Aryam Vazquez reports that the group has recruited "Gerardito", an ex-NG La Banda vocalist. The new singer will debut with the band on Saturday, January 23 at DROM -85 Ave. A (between 5th and 6th streets) in New York City. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

La Bolá is gaining force world-wide after their debut release SIN COMENTARIOS, which has been picked up for radio airplay in Paris, France.

Schooled in the top Havana conservatories and music schools in the US, La Bolá encompasses some of the most in demand and successful musicians in NYC, all whom enjoying thriving careers in Latin music performing, touring and recording with such artists as Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, Miles Peña, Michael Stuart, Alfredo de la Fe and many more. 

Chékere Making & Playing

with Bobi Céspedes
Join us: January 9th, 16th, 23rd, and February 20th
From 1pm to 3pm
(Chekeré Playing starts April 3rd)
For registration and location of classes information please call 510-290-8551 - Oakland, California

Registrations open January 4th 2010.
1. Chekeré Making starts January 9th, 1 to 3pm
2. Orisha Song Class starts January 10th 1 to 3pm
3. El Igbodu February 22nd through 26th  7to 9pm
4. Chekeré Playing starts April 3rd

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I was recently on a five-week vacation in El Yuma and during that time I fell out of touch with what was happening in the world. When I got back from vacation I found an e-mail from Ben Lapidus informing me that Nino Olivares, the marimbulero of Changüí de Guantánamo, passed away on January 4th, 2010 at age 90. I first met Nino at the National Changüí Festival in Guantánamo in December of 2007. He was 87 years old but playing the marimbula with a great strength in his hands and arms. He had a habit of singing along with the
Nino & I in Paris - He liked his rum
rhythm of the marimbula or with the coros as he played, supplimenting his plucking of the marimbula keys with occasional strikes on the wooden case, which served both as his stool and as a cajón. I later met him again in Paris in September 2008 where I asked him to tell me a little about how he started playing marimbula.  I don't claim that I knew Nino well, but he made quite an impression on me and so I want to do something to honor his memory and the contribution he made to Cuban music during his 49 years with Changüí de Guantánamo. Click here for his musician's page where you will find a transcription of the interview, a link to the interview and a short video clip of Nino at a changüí in Casa de Pipi in Yateras. Chao Nino, te extrañamos.

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Among the 800+ attendees of the Dec. 22 Charanga Habanera show in San Francisco were Nick & Serena of SalsaValeTodo, happily reporting that registration is almost full for their upcoming and 2nd Annual SALSA RUEDA FESTIVAL at the Hotel Whitcomb. 

This year they will be offering over 40 workshops in Cuban-style salsa, Rueda de Casino, Rumba, Afro-Cuban Folkloric, Son, Cha Cha Cha, Danzon, Salsa Suelta, Cuban Styling for Ladies, Cuban Cabaret and Mambo, and Music appreciation and listening classes. Beginning dancers will have the unique opportunity of extensive study in a Beginner's Track devoted to giving new dancers the basics and introducing other dancer's to Cuban dance. 

The festival will also host special guest, Roberto Borrell who will teach danzon, son, cha cha cha and present his multi-media demonstration and lecture on "Timba: Dancing Though Time".  Four nights of parties will include performances and three live Timba bands.

Enjoy dancing with casineros from around the world!!

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Get ready for this upcoming show. Kicking off their US tour, Los Van Van, celebrates José Martí's January 28th birthday with a special peformance at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West, Florida. The band is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. 

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Gates open at 7pm for this three hour concert event. Martí was in Key West during the late 1890's to deliver a speech in support of Cuba's independence movement. 

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