There is a lot going on this week in addition to the regular concert schedule in Havana. First up, Leonel Limonta & Azúcar Negra will hold a press conference today at Casa de la Música Miramar for the release of their excellent new CD "Tonada pa'l bailador". They will also give a concert at CDLM Miramar on Saturday, October 7th.

This is Azúcar Negra's 7th album and as the rightly claims, it is a brilliant album for the dancers.  You can find the album at the usual digital retailers and streaming sites. "Tonada pa'l bailador" contains 14 tracks and a full review will be coming shortly.

Track list:
Tonada pa'l bailador
Cuando pienso en ti
De fiesta en fiesta
Retomando el son
Por qué me miras así
Mi chica se rebela
La Habana está de fiesta
Tonada pa'l bailador feat. Alexander Abreu
Agua caliente
El tequila feat. El Micha
Pa' que se entere La Habana
Yo necesito de ti feat. Luna Manzanares
Suave, rico y despacito
Maltratando la tela

Congratulations to Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera who celebrated their 10th anniversary yesterday. They will hold two special concerts this weekend: Saturday the 7th at Karl Marx Theater with surprise guests and Sunday the 8th at Salón Rosado de la Tropical. Their European Tour begins October 12th in Moscow and they will follow up with a national Cuban tour.

Unlike most young bands, Havana D'Primera didn't have a period of "finding themselves" but burst fully-developed on the timba scene. This was in part due to the fact that many of them had already worked together for years in Issac Delgado's band. Alexander's lyrics also made the Havana D'Primera stand out from the masses. It didn't take long for them to become one of the most popular bands both inside and outside of Cuba. During their first decade, Havana D'Primera has released three studio CDs all of which have been at the top of the timba charts and even done well among regular salseros. Still one of Cuba's greatest trumpeters, Alexander is today also highly sought after for collaborations as a vocalist. 

We cannot fail to mention that today is José Luis Cortés "El Tosco"'s birthday. Where would Cuban music be today without NG La Banda? I shudder to imagine. So Happy Birthday El Tosco and thank you for your role in making our music and dance obsession possible.

And across the pond over here in Europe, Maykel Blanco & su Salsa Mayor begin their European Tour tonight in Paris. Click here for concert dates. Here is a recent live clip of the band performing in La Guayabera in Alamar, Havana, Cuba.  

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Photo courtesy of Giraldo Piloto

ENGLISH: On August 20th 2017 a new cultural center was inaugurated in Vedado at 31 & 2. What could be more auspicious than a new Casa de la Música in the neighborhood known as "La Timba"? Unlike the other CDLM, the entry fee is reported to be 8 CUC for Cubans and 15 CUC for foreigners. So far the concert schedule is not showing up at Suenacubano, but I know that Giraldo Piloto y Klímax played there recently and it was Piloto that was kind enough to send us a photo of the new building. In addition to the Casa de la Música, the new cultural center includes a piano bar, a public library, a bookstore, art rooms and a store among other things. Below is a short report from EGREM's YouTube page.

ESPAÑOL: El 20 de agosto de 2017 se inauguró un nuevo centro cultural en el Vedado a 31 y 2. ¿Qué podría ser más auspicioso que una nueva Casa de la Música en el barrio conocido como La Timba? A diferencia de las otras CDLM, la entrada es de 8 CUC para cubanos y 15 CUC para extranjeros. Hasta ahora el calendario de conciertos no está apareciendo en Suenacubano, pero sé que Giraldo Piloto y Klímax tocaban allí recientemente y fue Piloto quien tuvo la amabilidad de enviarnos una foto del nuevo edificio. Además de la Casa de la Música, el nuevo centro cultural incluye un piano bar, una biblioteca pública, una librería, salas de arte y una tienda entre otras cosas. A continuación se presenta un breve informe de la página de YouTube de EGREM.

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ENGLISH: The XVII Edition of the International “Havana Rhythm and Dance Festival" Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam will take place in Havana from March 6 - 11, 2018. As always the festival will include performances by many of Cuba's most popular bands and dance companies as well as competitions in percussion, casino dance, and rumba dance. Masters classes will also be offered in music and dance, including customized classes for groups or individuals. The competitions are open to all ages and both Cubans and international musicians and dancers. If you're interested in competing or would like to attend classes, click here for contact information as well as more detailed information about the event. As the date approaches we'll update with the complete festival program. And I leave you with a new video by Giraldo Piloto & Klímax, below.

ESPAÑOL: La XVII Edición del festival internacional "Fiesta Del Tambor" Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam tendrá lugar en La Habana del 6 al 11 de marzo de 2018. Como siempre el festival incluirá actuaciones de muchas de las orquestas y compañías de baile más populares de Cuba, así como concursos de percusión, y bailes de casino y rumba. Se ofrecerán clases de música y baile, incluyendo clases personalizadas para grupos o individuales. Los concursos son abiertos a todas las edades y tanto para cubanos como para músicos y bailarines extranjeros. Si estás interesado en competir o quieres asistir a clases, haz clic aquí para la información de contacto, así como información más detallada sobre el evento. En cuanto se acerca la fecha vamos a actualizar la página con el programa completo del festival. Y les dejo con un estreno de Giraldo Piloto & Klímax.

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Aside from the total domination of the Best Traditional Tropical Album category (all the entries are from Cuban artists), there is some very interesting Cuban music representation this year among the 2017 Latin Grammy® nominees. Congratulations to all the nominees! Felicidades a todos los nominados. 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - ÁLBUM DEL AÑO
Palabras Manuales - DANAY SUAREZ**

** Danay Suarez Fernandez is a Cuban R&B and rap singer. She has gained attention in Europe, mainly in France. She got her start in the music industry in 2007 with a cold call to Cuban fusion king X-Alfonso. Her work with X-Alfonso led to her discovery a few years later by English DJ and record label owner Gilles Peterson. [source: wikipedia] **

SONG OF THE YEAR - CANCIÓN DEL AÑO
Desde que estamos juntos - DESCEMBER BUENO

BEST NEW ARTIST - MEJOR NUEVO ARTISTA
DANAY SUAREZ

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM - MEJOR ÁLBUM DE MÚSICA ALTERNATIVA
Palabras Manuales - DANAY SUAREZ

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG - MEJOR CANCIÓN ALTERNATIVA
Intergridad - STEPHEN MARLEY & DANAY SUAREZ

BEST SALSA ALBUM - MEJOR ÁLBUM DE SALSA
ADN - ALAÍN PÉREZ ( más información sobre Alaín aquí )
Isidro Infante Presenta... Cuba Y Puerto Rico, Un Abrazo Musical Salsero - Varios artistas**
** Isidro Infante producer in collaboration with BIS MUSIC

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM - MEJOR ÁLBUM TROPICAL TRADICIONAL
Albita - ALBITA
Cuba Sobre Cuerda - BABALÚ QUINTETO
Raíz - EL SEPTETO SANTIAGUERO
El Añejo Jardín - LA COLMENITA (VARIOS ARTISTS - EGREM)
To Beny Moré With Love - JON SECADA feat THE CHARLIE SEPULVEDA BIG BAND

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM - MEJOR ÁLBUM CANTAUTOR
Lo único constante - ALEX CUBA

Presione aquí para nuestra reseña de RAÍZ - Septeto Satiaguero.

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