A promoter and booking agent has filed suit against Cuba’s iconic band Los Van Van and its leader Juan Formell to stop a planned U.S. tour.

Band manager Americo Mirando Ortiz also was named as a defendant in the breach of contract suit filed Oct. 21 in Miami federal court by NYK Productions. The lawsuit alleges NYK was the band’s booking agent when the musicians engaged another company, Fuego Entertainment, to book a U.S. tour, violating a February agreement making it the exclusive booking agent for Los Van Van. The band has scheduled dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City in December.

The 14-piece band won a Grammy in 2000 for its salsa-infused music that Formell calls "timba". The band has spurred demonstrations in Miami. About 400 Cuban-Americans protested the band’s concert at the Knight Center last February, saying it was an extension of Cuba’s communist government. --source Law.com / Daily Business Review

NYK Productions is a Hallandale, Florida based production company led by Mr. Arie Kaduri (pictured right). Fuego Entertainment is a Miami based company led by Mr. Hugo Cancio (pictured left).

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Tonight should be a very interesting night. Piedmont Piano Company holds only about 90 to 100 people, and has what may be the best piano currently available in the world, a 9-foot Fazioli concert grand. The concert is only $20 and the ticket is free if you buy the $170,000 piano. (Delivery is free!).

I'll be on hand with all 9 volumes of Beyond Salsa Piano, which you can have Melón personally autograph. There's also a discount for the full set, and a separate discount for the full set of Melón's volumes. Last but not least, I've completed two of the Calixto Oviedo Beyond Salsa Percussion volumes. They're not published just yet, but I've printed up mock copies of each for people to check out (and find typos if you can!) Tom Ehrlich will also be on hand and you might be able to convince him to take a shot of you with the maestro. Also a great opportunity to meet Bay Area luminaries such as Walfredo de los Reyes and other special guests.

Monday, Nov. 8 - 8:00 p.m.

Piedmont Piano Company 

call 510-547-8188 to reserve tickets

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Miami's hot Timbalive kick off their European Tour "From Miami to La Habana" with a concert in Rennes, France at the Aquí Cuba festival. the band will tour France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain during a whirlwind 2-week tour. Click here for the full list of tour dates to find a concert near you, and enjoy a taste of Timbalive from their release party 2009 with the video below.

Timbalive at their Release Party for the CD "From Miami to La Habana"

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

Berklee College of Music in Massachussetts has turned out some of the best young Latin musicians in the world and its focus on Latin music is growing at a steady clip.

Timba.com is thrilled to welcome reporter Allen Bush who will be hosting the Latin Music at Berklee College of Music report. His maiden post announces a concert on Nov. 18th by the legendary Larry Harlow. 

In other news, don't forget "An Intimate Evening with Melón Lewis" at Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland, Monday night at 8:00.

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