New Local Gold, New Scenes, New Year

Now that we're into 2010, I want to remind all of you that we have great musicians, singers and bands in the San Francisco Bay Area that we should all be supporting in these tough times. Even though the old saying is that the cream always rises to the top, sometimes people don't get the props that they deserve and get sadly overlooked. So do go out, check out the local greats as well as the new local gold - don't take the local scene for granted. Crowds came out to support events such as the recent Voices Of Latin Rock extravaganzas that showcased the finest in Latin Rock and Latin Jazz and Seaon Stylist Bristol's ambitious latin Broadway style tribute to Michael Jackson "Rock With You" featuring Rebeca Mauleon's powerhouse of a band. The new local gold features emerging faces that are making noise these days: Montuno Swing, the Latin Rhythm Boys, Lina G. Torio's Mestiza, Carne Cruda and their new project with Brazilian firecracker Dandara, Santero (blowing up all over!), Saboriche, Bang Data and many others that I will bring to your attention during this year. So remember to keep your mind and ears open...porque lo que viene es bueno!

Blessed to Live In The Bay Area - 2010 Edition

I am truly blessed to live in one of the music meccas of the United States where I can enjoy artists from all over the world. The SF Bay Area boasts an incredible slew of talent as well as being a port where major talent visits us on a consistent basis. During these first two months of the new year, we will have Salsa, Cuban and Latin Jazz music concerts in this area by the likes of emerging Cuban piano star Alfredo Rodriguez, the Puerto Rico Golden All Stars with Eric Figueroa (of Batacumbele fame), Richie Flores, Endel Dueno, Ramon Vasquez and the legendary flamboyant violinist Alfredo De La Fe, Issac Delgado, Eddie Santiago, Victor Manuelle, the second annual Salsa Rueda Festival and L.A.'s timba big band Rumbankete. This is all happening despite an awful economic down turn and in the two slowest months of the year in terms of business due to the support of all of you who go to these shows. Que vida!

Best Recordings of 2009

This past year offered great music in the genres of salsa, latin jazz, timba and afro-cuban from the latest to some great compilations of vintage material. Here are my picks:

Mario Ortiz All Star Band "Tributo 45 Anniversario"

Latin Giants Of Jazz "Ven Baila Conmigo"

Edwin Clemente "Aqui Traigo La Rumba, Bailador"

Cuban Masters Ensemble "Del Pasado Al Presente"

Tiempo Libre "Bach A Havana"

Jimmy Bosch "A Millon"

Arnaldo Y Su Cosmopolita "En Otra Direccion"

Calle Real "Me Lo Gane"

Sonora Poncena "55 Anniversario"

Ismael Miranda "De Regreso Al Son"

Orestes Vilato "It's About Time"

Concha Buika/Chucho Valdes "El Ultimo Trago"

Coto Pincheira "The Sonido Moderno Project"

Various "Tite Curet Alonso: Alma De Poeta" (2 cd tribute)

Tito Rodriguez "El Inolvidable" (2 cd retrospective)

Alexander Abreu/Havana d'Primera "Haciendo Historia"

Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos "Cubano Cubano"

La Excelencia "Mi Tumbao Social"

Miguel Zenon "Esta Plena"

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet "Bien Bien"

Los Soneros De Gallo "Gallos De Pelea"

Nestor Torres "Nouveau Latino"

Aymee "Corazon Sonero"

Recent releases out of the oven:

Venezuelan Masters Orchestra "Live In France: Dux Toros Y Salsa"

DJ Ricky Campanelli (w/El Nino Jesus) "Salsa Como Debe Ser"

Los Soneros Boricuas y Estrellas De Envidia "De Un Pajaro Las Dos Alas"

Avance "Incontrolable"

Honorable Mentions:

Alberto Barros "Mano A Mano"

Conjunto Imagen "Afinando"

Choco Orta "Ahora Mismo"

Best Local Recording that you don't know about yet:
Various Artists "Live At Jelly's - Club Havana"
Lina G. Torio "Mestiza" EP