Jerry Rivera at Festival De La Isla

I rounded out this past week with a pilgrimage over to Pena Adobe Park in Vacaville for the 10th Annual Festival De La Isla, Puerto Rican outdoor festival. Salsa romantica idol Jerry Rivera was the headliner. Now I haven't seen Jerry since I worked in charge of stage operations for a show that he headlined at the SF Concourse over 10 years ago with La India and Grupo Niche. Now, Jerry is making a big comeback after a 4 year hiatus with a hit "Solo Pienso En Ti" climbing the Billboard Latin charts. So I was curious to see this matinee idol of pop salsa at this stage of his career. He just started his set by the time I arrived and already had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Mr. "Cara De Nino" has grown up to be a boyish looking, physically buffed man who displayed his cool as he effortlessly sang his big commercial salsa hits. He delighted the ladies in the audience by peppering each song numerous times with his trademark "Baby". His version of his biggest hit "Amores Como Lo Nuestro" rocked both the mix of old school and new school salseros in the public. Included in his repertoire was a lengthy passionate tribute to the late vocalist Frankie Ruiz, one of Rivera's idols. Jerry Rivera is a singer with a fine upper register but he is not nor does he pretend to be a sonero (a traditional salsa singer that can improvise lyrics on the spot). He connected with the audience at times, smiling and speaking directly to folks in the crowd. And at other times, he seemed detached like he was following a script and on remote control. My impression of Jerry Rivera is that he is happy to be exactly who he is: a pop idol who has body of hits with Salsa music as his musical foundation. Members of Orquesta Borinquen provided solid backup for Rivera under the capable direction of musical director/pianist Ramon Sanchez from Puerto Rico. The large turnout was another feather in the cap of Linda and Cafe August, the festival organizers.

Is It A Crime To Enjoy Too Much Good Music???

Talk about a whirlwind week of great music that I had the good fortune to experience. The 90 Miles project featuring three young jazz giants: vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Christian Scott played an inspiring and exciting set at Yoshis, Oakland. Not only did they play at the top of their respective game with imagination, fire and energy but their distinctive styles and personalities made watching them a lot of fun. I followed watching that phenomenal show with the rare appearance of Sade plus another headliner that opened for her, John Legend at Oakland's Oracle Arena this past Friday night. Sade was in splendid voice, looking beautiful in gorgeous dresses and genuinely happy to be performing on stage. Backed by a tight band led by her three original partners: guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, Sade soared through her classic material as well as her newer songs. I found the newer material moodier and darker although I loved the stunning start of her show with "Soldier Of Love". John Legend was a crowd pleaser with his sexy, soulful voice, presence and performance. He was eye candy for the ladies and a dynamic entertainer who knows how to work an audience.

Tempo Latino 2011

While I was was Europe a few weeks ago, I returned to the Tempo Latino Festival. It's the largest outdoor festival devoted to Salsa and Latin Music in Europe based in the little town of Vic-Fezensac, France. Wow...what a line-up this year! Headliner Ruben Blades played a 2 1/2 hour set loaded with crowd favorites as "Pedro Navaja", "Juan Pachanga" and "Plastico" to name a few. Panama's finest Roberto Delgado's Orchestra with special guest trombonist Jimmy Bosch backed Blades. There were musical especially on "Plantacion Adentro" featuring a fiery exchange between Bosch and trumpeter Juan Lopez. Renowned Columbian Paris-based sonero Yuri Buenaventura thrilled the sold out Friday night crowd with his thrilling vocals, dynamic band and great music! Puerto Rican legend Willie Rosario brought his tight orchestra to play his classic dance music such as "El Callejero" and "Lluvia". Plena Libre, Grupo Fantasma, Bomba Estereo, Quantic y Su Combo Barbaro and Zulu 90.3 were also featured in the main concerts at the plaza de toros. Fine Cuban and European based bands were featured at 3 different venues in the grounds. The Conga was the hot after hours night spot each night. Highlights included the irresistible son of Cuba's own Septeto Santiaguero, the exciting French salsa dura band Salsafon with vocalist Rafael Quintero (uncle of percussionists Luisito and Roberto Quintero), the Big Band Cote Sud expertly performed Beny More classics and Cumbia Chicharra's spirited repertoire of Cumbia, Timba and Salsa. DJ's included one of Barcelona's best DJ Jacoviche and Salsa/World music selector Ricardo Da Forza. My good friend and Tempo Latino legend Enrique Romero "El Molestoso" didn't attend due to serious health issues. I missed his spirit and camaraderie as I have good memories of DJing and hanging with Enrique at last year's festival. He was sorely missed by many including promoter Eric Duffau and staff. Get better fast, amigo!!

Back To Reality!

I just got sick right before I came back from Europe last week. I missed the San Jose Jazz Festival, the phenomenal debut of Wil Campa y Su Gran Union at Stern Grove, most of Outside Lands and other noteworthy gigs! I worked at Cafe Cocomo with Julio Bravo last Saturday but I wasn't 100 percent yet but the music was good. I also didn't sound 100 percent on the radio since my engineer didn't follow the instructions to run my pre recorded radio program...oh, oh all right! However good things are down the pike...I'm sharing a nite of fine music at Cafe Cocomo with the sounds of Avance (who are also fun and a fine band with great singers..and Karl Perrazzo is their secret weapon) on Thursday night, August 18th...I'm ready to play! Maikal Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor, one of Cuba's hottest Timba/Salsa orchestras are slated to play at Cocomo in October. If that wasn't enough...SF Jazz Fest promises the dynamic Daniela Mercury and hot Miami based band Tiempo Libre among the heavies in this year's lineup. I've been back to work and it's been sweating bullets...getting back to work is a mother after vacation.