I have finally published the band section for Juan Kemell & La Barriada. This is long overdue. I have seen this band live 3 times and every time I am struck by how fun the concerts are! They have a gift of really communicating with the audience, whether or not you understand Spanish.

Under the direction of trumpet player Juan Kemell, La  Barriada plays a mix of Cuban music as well as other Caribbean genres, and has a loyal following both in Cuba and throughout Latin America.La Barriada plays regular bi-weekly gigs in Havana, tours the provinces and tours Europe and Latin America regularly. Their last CD/DVD "Havananza" was one of the best albums of 2008.  If you are not yet familar with La Barriada check out the new section with video, interviews, concert reports and more.

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Patrick Bonnard is back with a report and photos from the July 13 concert a Le Zénith in Paris with Los Van Van and Oscar D'Leon. Here is an excerpt from his report.

  
Oscar D'Leon & Los Van Van photos © Patrick Bonnard used by permission

Le Zénith i s one of the main indoor locations for rock and pop gigs in Paris. As we all know, Elito Revé's participation for that long-awaited night was unfortunately cancelled. Expectations were still high and the fans had travelled to Paris from all across the country to be at these shows. Los Van Van opened at 20 p.m with "Arrasando". Show highlights included a thrilling performance of "Muevete" with participation of Juan Formell. Lele was loose and in infectious good spirits all night long, sh ining on "Me Mantengo". Yeni sang "Tu a Lo Tuyo , Yo a Lo Mio". Mayito certainly would have enjo yed to si ng more than a single "Si No Te Quieres Tú" but they wrapped up with the perfect show closer "Esto Te Pone La Cabeza Mala". Click here to read the full report and see the photos he sent us.

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Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor start their summer European tour on this Friday July 30th in Rimini, Italy. We have published all the tour dates so check for a concert near you . The band will spend most of the tour in Italy but you can catch them at New Morning in Paris and the Antilliaanse Festival in Belgium.

They are performing many of the songs off their new hit album, "Soy lo que te hala". If you haven't bought it yet, you should. In the meantime I have posted a review in the Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor discography section. Here is a little quotation.

Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor are back with another hot timba album. Maykel is a prolific composer and the band has been churning out one CD every other year to their fans' delight. Maykel consistently composes solid, catchy lyrics and combines them with irresistible dancefloor-ready arrangements that make  Maykel’s songs favorites among DJs and dancers. Click here to read the full review .

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photo ©Tom Bauer used by permission

Elito y Su Charangón have two more concerts on their US tour before heading back to Cuba: Miami and Tampa. Don't miss your last chance to catch them live in the US! But the Charangón is not stopping long to rest, in September they have two very special concerts in Lima, Peru together with Los Van Van ! Then on October 1st they play in Toronto and in mid-October they begin the long-awaited European tour . Check here for the current list of 2010 concert dates for the Charangón and send me an e-mail if you know of any dates that are missing!

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