Tomatito

The great Spanish flamenco guitarist Tomatito brought his excellent ensemble to SF's Palace Of Fine Arts.  Tomatito (Jose Fernandez Torres), considered by many as the heir apparent to the late Paco De Lucia, made a strong case for himself with a beautiful show which showcased his flawless virtuosity.  His attack and command of the guitar was brilliant as he took the audience on a musical journey shifting moods from traditional bulerias to jazz.  He was the epitome of cool as he sat with the guitar on his lap, legs crossed and playing what seemed like endless streams of notes.  He was supported by his excellent ensemble which was made up of young budding guitarists El Cristi and Jose del Tomate, a duo of astonishing vocalists Kiki Cortinas and Simon Roman, the dynamic featured dancer Paloma Fantova and tasteful percussionist Moises Santiago.  The sold out crowd was treated to flamenco at it's best with a well paced show featuring this stellar ensemble playing the music of Tomatito.  It was also a dazzling feast for the eyes when Paloma was featured on a dance solo during the closing song framed by Tomatito's guitar.  Her feet were a blur displaying incredible speed while her facial expressions and graceful hand movements showed her powerful attitude and passion.  This was Tomatito's first visit to the SF Bay Area and the enthusiastic crowd responded with standing ovations.  It was a show to remember.

One of my old guitar heroes - Mike Bloomfield

There has been a lot of attention is finally being focused on the under appreciated guitar phenomenon Michael Bloomfield who died way too young at age 37 by drug overdose in 1981.  Bloomfield whose brilliant long fiery fluid solos were an essential part of recordings by Bob Dylan, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Electric Flag and his collaborations with keyboardist/vocalist Al Kooper, never got his due until now.  The release of a new 3 cd, 1 dvd box set "From His Head To His Heart To His Hands" curated by old friend Kooper is changing all of that by pointing attention to his short prolific career.  Bloomfield who shared friendships and stages with Chicago's blues greats such as Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf was a stunning guitarist in person.  I had the luck in my teenage years to see Bloomfield perform live several times in different settings with The Electric Flag and the Bloomfield-Nafatlin Band.  I also saw him play at one of my last Mission High School assemblies!   I was always struck by his fiery virtuosity, intensity and brilliant fluid technique that he displayed on his trademark Les Paul standard guitar.  He was simply one of the finest blues guitar stylists I've ever seen!  Now the world is catching up and giving respect to one of the 1960's-70's all time guitar heroes...about time!!

Goodbye Paco/Adios Maestro

I caught the news on Facebook today..it was confirmed on the web...the maestro of flamenco guitar...the legendary Paco De Lucia died today.  Memories of seeing him in concert...in the film "Carmen"...on CD and album covers....on You Tube.  His technique was fast as lightning...an incredible virtuoso who innovated the music with the inclusion of cajon...who jammed and toured with John MacLaughlin and Al DiMeola...breaking down barriers...who fused flamenco with other genres of music.  Now Paco has joined the ancestors, leaving behind a legacy of greatness for us to treasure, revisit and discover again.  Adios Maestro!

Mayito Takes Over S.F.!

The Sixth Annual SF Salsa Rueda Festival which is the equivalent of the Cuban version of the annual Salsa Congress took place this past weekend at the Hotel Whitcomb.  I attended Saturday night which featured ex-Los Van Van vocalist Mayito Rivera with Timbalive, DJ Walt Digz and quite a number of spectacular dance troupes dancing in the Cuban salsa style, Casino De Rueda or elaborate dance routines incorporating Timba music.  Mayito Rivera simply bowled over the Whitcomb audience with his charisma, great voice, fierce sonero style and impeccable showmanship.  Mayito, with long  dreadlocks going down his back, handsome looks and dressed in a white outfit, had the crowd working out with him, ladies dancing on stage, arms raised in unison and rhythm.  He sang some Van Van favorites and his own material backed up masterfully by Miami's own Timbalive who sounded great all night long.

SF Bay Finally Living Musically Large!!

There is now a well deserved focus on the SF Bay Area Latin/Salsa scene since Pacific Mambo Orchestra won the grammy award for Best Tropical Latin recording.  The bay area has been a mecca for great musicians, bands and dj's for quite a number of years.  Perhaps the best kept secret in the United States since most of the attention goes to New York (which has been fading as an influential spot for years), Miami and Los Angeles.  Great musicians such as Louie Romero, Orestes Vilato, John Santos, Rebeca Mauleon, Jesus Diaz, John Calloway, Carlos Caro, Karl Perrazo, Anthony Blea, Marco Diaz, Bill Ortiz, and that's just scratching the surface of a rich scene here, have made the Bay Area their base of operations for many years!  It has been a hot bed of activity with new recordings coming out by Marco Diaz, Julio Bravo, The Latin Rhythm Boys, John Santos and his many projects including the new recording by 78 year old Cuban vocalist Ernesto Oviedo and the Salsa De La Bahia project spearheaded by Wayne Wallace and Rita Hargrave.  Clubs, salsa dance socials, festivals and concerts by major artists are commonplace in the SF Bay.  And that's just in the Salsa scene.  All genres of music continue to thrive with great contributions of all the fine musicians that live and work here.  Let's continue to bathe in the collective sunshine!

Sly And The Family Stone's Stand Performed Live in SF

The Independent was packed wall to wall on Sunday night by people of all walks of life paying tribute to the music of Sly and the Family Stone.  Vocalist Zakiya Harris was on stage with her large troupe of singers, dancers and musicians putting their take on the Sly classic "Higher".  The energy was high as the producers UnderCover presented this unique tribute to Sly with different bands from all genres of music each taking turns playing one song from a classic album.  The crowd roared with approval as they heard funky, hard rock, jazzy and latinized versions of the classic "Stand" album.  The Marcus Shelby Quartet was a crowd pleaser.  Mission district's own Bayonics came on next with a crowd rousing version of "Sing A Simple Song".  They flipped the song to bring in the Latin flavor and took the crowd to a higher place. Sly alumni Rusty Allen, who took Larry Graham's place in the 70's was practicing and taking in the groove happening on stage from his spot in the VIP mezzanine section.  KPFA's Rickey Vincent from the History Of Funk program was the emcee.  He took the opportunity to make his own comments and recall classic moments.  It was a groove thang!

Tribute To Cachao/Walfredo De Los Reyes at SF Jazz Center

Last night, Grammy nominated percussionist/bandleader John Santos pulled off another great all-star tribute at the beautiful SF Jazz Center in San Francisco.  This tribute was to honor the late genius who was instrumental in the development of the descarga, mambo and danzon,  Israel Lopez "Cachao" and the living drum/percussion legend Walfredo De Los Reyes Sr. who also developed the descarga and Cuban Jazz.  The sold out show was divided into two halves: the first set was devoted to the Cuban Danzon, many of which were written by Cachao.  John Santos and his talented sextet made of pianist/trumpeter Marco Diaz, bassist Saul Sierra, drummer David Flores, saxophonist Melecio Magdaluyo and flutist/pianist John Calloway were joined by Cuban master woodwind master Paquito D' Rivera,  the Cultural Revolution string trio led by violinist Anthony Blea, legendary timbalero Orestes Vilato and conguero Javier Navarette.

What a beautiful set of danzon, strings and swing expertly played by this ensemble.  Rivera was a delight as he balanced his virtuosity with his great sense of humor.  There were plenty of musical fireworks as almost everyone had an opportunity to solo and shine.  The second half of the show was dedicated to the "descarga" or jam session that both Cachao and De Los Reyes were noted pioneers.  The ensemble were cookin' with explosive fervor with the three horn section of Rivera, Magdaluyo and Calloway.  Walfredo De Los Reyes Sr. joined the band displaying his brilliance on the timbales and trap set especially on his composition "Leche Con Ron".  If that wasn't enough, surprise guest, former Santana conguero Raul Rekow brought the house down with a fiery conga solo near the end of the set. All of the participants were at the top of their game playing with passion and displaying their fierce virtuosity.

I'm delighted that SF Jazz continues their commitment to great music thanks to executive director Randall Kline!  Thanks to artistic director John Santos for his enthusiastic vision in planning and presenting this excellent show.

Top Picks 2013 - Salsa/Latin Jazz/Afro Cuban/Musica Cubana

I just finished airing my programs featuring the best music of 2013.  Here is my list in no particular order because they are all fine recordings!!

Puerto Rico All Stars - Echando Candela
Cubana All Stars - A Dream Come True
Mauricio Silva - Legado De La Salsa Venezolana Volume 1
Chucho Valdes/Afro Cuban Messengers - Border-Free
Orquesta SCC-Salsa Con Conciencia - Renacimiento
Africando - Viva Africando
Conjunto Sabrosura - Mona Pa Mi Bongo
Sonora Poncena - 10 Para Los 100
Yolanda Rivera - La Hija Del Guaguanco
New Swing Sextet - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Various Artists - Sabe Venezuela Volume 2
Ray Viera Y Trombao - Sambumbia Radioactiva
La Maxima 79 - Regresando Al Guaguanco
Maikel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor - A Toda Maquina
Trombonranga - Al Mal Tiempo Buena Salsa
Mamborama - Baila Que Baila
Omar Sosa - Eggun
John Santos Sextet - Filosofia Caribena Vol. 2
Pedrito Martinez Group - The Pedrito Martinez Group
Buika - La Noche Mas Larga
Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet - From Daddy With Love
DJ El Chino/Various - Salsa World Series Vol. 5
Tipica Novel - Mirando Pa'l Cielo
Manuel Valera/New Cuban Express - Expectativas
Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - Latin Jazz Jazz Latin
Mayito Rivera - Alma De Sonero
Pacific Mambo Orchestra - PMO
Timbalive - Con La Musica Cubana...NO!

Late 2013 releases that can be considered for 2014
El Gran Combo - 50 Anniversario
Pete Rodriguez - Caminando Con Papi
Eddie Palmieri - Doin It In The Park EP
Hector Aponte/Orquesta Harlem Riverside - Tres Generaciones De Nuestra Musica
David Calzado Y Charanga Habanera - Se Sufre Pero Se Goza

Farewell Chata

Chata Gutierrez, a mainstay in the San Francisco Bay Area radio scene for four decades, passed away on December 17 after a long battle with liver cancer.  She was 60.  Blessed with a great voice, smooth delivery and impeccable musical taste, Chata was a natural for radio.  She started back in KPFA under the guiding hand of radio producer Emiliano Echeverria back in 1972.   She hosted programs at KPFA and KPOO from 1972 to 1979.   I have known Chata since we were classmates in high school and actually worked together for a brief stint at KPFA back in 1976.   We were friends, colleagues and rivals but always had mutual respect for each other and the music.  She produced her long running Saturday salsa music program later known as "Con Clave" for 33 years at community radio station KPOO.  Her program was essential listening for Latin music fanatics and Salsa lovers.  She was a staunch advocate for Salsa who was awarded the Tom Donahue award in the late 1980's.  She was loved by her radio public and the Mission community in SF that supported her but was also a fierce competitor and brutally frank in her opinions about music and people.  She kept hosting her popular program despite her up and down days almost up to the time of her death with the help of radio dj Jose Ruiz.  She will sorely be missed.  There will be a  wake at Driscoll's Mortuary from 2 to 6 pm and a memorial concert immediately following at Roccapulco to honor her memory this Sunday, December 29th in San Francisco.

Renacimiento

I have taken most of the last third of this year off from posting on this blog.  I'm not making any excuses for my absence.  There has been a lot going on with my life both positive and negative that I have not shared with you.  It has been an introspective period of time for me.  However, I am experiencing a rebirth/renacimiento...I now feel that I am willing to share my perspectives that I am passionate about with you again.  So let's proceed as we head into 2014.

Yoshi's JazzFest - Free - Sunday 8/25/13 - Jack London Square Waterfront-Oakland

Salvador Santana will be headlining a free concert this Sunday, Aug. 25 from Noon to 5 pm at Oakland's Jack London Square Waterfront brought to you by Yoshi's Jazz Club.  KPFA is one of the media co-sponsors of the Yoshi's JazzFest which also features the Julian Coryell Trio, Cuban reggaeton mix-master Dos Four and the Oaktown Jazz Workshop Performance Ensemble.  It promises to be a great musical afternoon.  For more information, visit www.yoshis.com

What I Did On My Summer Vacation 2013

I have been on Summer vacation from this blog.  But I'm baaaccckkkk!!  During the last few months, I had a birthday, took a real family vacation to Spain (which included Barcelona, Catalunya and La Costa Brava..had a blast & visited my in-laws and friends), came back and saw Spanish Harlem Orchestra (so good!!), checked out Outside Lands Festival (saw great acts: Paul McCartney, Phoenix, Nine Inch Nails, Chic, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rhye, Bombino, Bauer etc) , the San Jose Jazz Festival (Javon Jackson w/Les McCann & Dr. Lonnie Smith , Wil Campa & powerhouse vocalist Paula Harris with The Beasts Of Blues were awesome!), moving forward with plans for a new personal web site, have hosted and produced a lot of radio, raised money to keep KPFA alive, interviewed Puerto Rican salsa stalwart Don Perignon, contemporary Salsa sonero/matinee idol Michael Stuart and emerging Cuban music star Wil Campa (they were ALL great performing live in person by the way!!!).  I haven't stopped yet..I am hosting Con Sabor tonight - Saturday, August 17 from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM/www.kpfa.org.  I am starting a new nightclub scene...I will be resident dj for a new weekly Salsa night "Sabroso Mondays" this Monday 8/19 from 8 to Midnight at Lukas, West Grand at Broadway, Downtown Oakland, just a couple of blocks from the Paramount Theater.  I will also return to my regular monthly spot at Cafe Cocomo this coming Saturday, August 24th with the popular Julio Bravo & Salsabor on stage!!  Que vida!!

tidbits late June 2013

memories of spring and the beginning of Summer 2013:  Don Perignon and his great trio of singers including Rico Walker, Gonzalez and Josue Rosado performing a smoking set in semi darkness due to a blackout at El Vacilon, Treasure Island...Peruvian Cuban Timba sensations Barbaro Fines and Mayimbe packed Cafe Cocomo to the rafters.   The band with it's frontline reminiscent of Charanga Habanera wowed the timberos at the club....Carnaval SF was rescued at the last minute by a Mission District community coalition led by Roberto Hernandez that pulled off the 2 day festival and parade with a volunteer staff and bands that played for free.  SFCAT, the non-profit producing entity that ran the event for the past 3 years (and that hired me as Carnaval's entertainment consultant from 2011 to 2012) went kaput this year and punted to Hernandez and the Mission coalition.....The indestructible salsa great Oscar D'Leon was joined by two violins and a full band mesmerizing the crowd at Cocomo.  Tragic news about D'Leon just weeks later.   He lost his eyesight after he was struck in the eye by a chest in a domestic accident.  Wishing Oscar a speedy recovery!  He is truly one of the great Salsa singer and performers of all time.

SF International Film Festival

The 56th annual edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival which took place in late April showcased a series of Latin films dealing with youth and the coming of age.  Be sure to look for the Brazilian film "They'll Come Back" dives into that scenario focusing on the story of a privileged 12 year old girl Cass who is abandoned on a desolated road along with her brother by her parents.  Her brother goes off by himself to get help.  She discovers a Brazil that is foreign to her defined by class, poverty and immigrants.

Memories of Jelly's...What A Scene!

I was one of the resident dj's that help carry the throne at the late San Francisco club Jelly's from 1998 to 2010.  There were many memorable evenings that I experienced from behind the dj booth.  The bands and the dj were always pushing each other to take the music higher in those days.  There was a tremendous communication between the band, dj, dancer, party goer, a regular and an aficionado.  But the real connection was the music.  The music soared on most Sunday evenings where the band and the dj was jamming, the dancers packed the wooden floor and outside concrete patio.  I wasn't there when it started when Linda Wosskow (who now runs the Seahorse) and KPOO DJ Chata Gutierrez started the Sundays in the mid 90's.  I was asked to do a late Sunday night following a typical Sunday tardeada at Jelly's around 1998.  It was a short run disaster but I did get hired by Jelly's owner Clarice Lacau to rotate Sundays with PR salsa maniac DJ Ivette "La Coqui" Fuentes.  It was a great period of time for me personally in terms of dj'ing my particular mix of new and classic salsa brava, timba, cha cha, merengue y mas to a mixed, packed and enthusiastic crowd.  The crowd didn't care about taking proper dance lessons or having bottle service at their table, they were there to dance and listen.  Those were good times.  I always looked forward to eating "el maestro" Jesus's cooking!  I was addicted to my combination of ribs and pollo...rico!!!  Ivette was later replaced with rotating DJ's Walt Digz and DJ Antonio who were first known primarily as Timba DJ's.  During the last 10 months of the club's existence, I was reduced to a monthly residency as a cost cutting measure at the club...lo bonito y lo feo.   Jelly's finally went kaput in October 2010 after a fatal shooting incident during an off night hip hop event which eventually sunk the club.  They were forced to close by the Port Commission and the club closed.  We closed the club in typical Jelly's fashion with Julio Bravo and Salsabor, DJ Walt Digz and myself doing the spinning honors that evening.  It was a packed crowd from start to finish.  Ever since the club closed, promoters have been trying to capture the Jelly's magic but they haven't been able to do it.  However, they have developed their own distinctive scenes such as the Seahorse in Sausalito and Cana.  I have been hearing about new clubs opening up on Sunday.  The advance hype is that they are "the new Jelly's" hoping to appeal to sentimental ex-patrons who perhaps are frustrated with the current Sunday salsa scenes.  Those folks who have this notion have completely missed the point of what was happening at Jelly's during those days...it was a special time and place.  There was an unpretentious vibe.  It didn't matter if the place was a dump, it was your Sunday meeting place where you could hear and dance to great music.  It was the real thing not hype.  R.I.P. Jelly's con amor!

Clefs and Notes - Tito Puente's 90th Birthday

Yesterday would have been Tito Puente's 90th birthday!  So I played a short but sweet tribute to El Rey Del Timbal on my radio program "Con Sabor" last night.  Playing just one set of TP is a challenge because of the volumes of material that this late prolific master produced during his lifetime.  So I played a special set of (in order) "Tito On Timbales", "Barbarabatiri", "Cuando Te Vea", "Happy Cha Cha Cha", "Nina Y Senora", "Picadillo Jam" (with Eddie Palmieri!) and ended with "Celia Y Tito" featuring Celia Cruz.  I probably would have done the whole set differently in another program.  But that was the beauty of Tito's music.  The range, scope and depth of the recorded music that he came out with was astonishing.  You also have to mention the powerful live performances that I will remember and cherish.

Carnaval

During the last couple of years, I had the great pleasure of working in Carnaval San Francisco as Entertainment Coordinator by the late SFCAT organization.  I had previously worked in that capacity in 1983 and from 1986 to 1998 for the late MECA organization.   I go back to Carnaval to when I marched in the first Carnaval parade in Precita Park back in 1979.  I was asked by SFCAT to coordinate one of the stages in 2011.  Last year was particularly sweet since I oversaw and ran the entire outdoor Entertainment operation (like the old days) assisted by a great crew of emcees, backstage help, stage veterans and sound pros.  I felt that we did San Francisco proud with a varied, exciting and eclectic show that featured the best in Salsa, Brazilian, Caribbean, Cumbia, African, World, Funk, Hip Hop and Rock in traditional and contemporary forms.  In other words, we presented great music that complimented the other parts of this unique massive event!   The operation ran well despite the obvious challenges, trials and tribulations that come with the territory.  I was looking forward to possibly repeating my role this year but a funny thing happened on the way to the repeat.  SFCAT went kaput!  Apparently the organization was in substantial debt and wasn't able to fundraise and maintain their infrastructure.  There was talk that the two day festival that framed the spectacular Sunday Carnaval parade was in danger of being cancelled.  SFCAT's management negotiated with a community based coalition led by my former MECA boss Roberto Hernandez, a master of reinvention and charismatic media manipulator, to take over the festival.  Because of SFCAT's financial woes, Roberto and the community coalition have taken over the entire Carnaval operation.  Hernandez even came up with a catchy sound bite that I will paraphrase "You don't cancel Christmas, You don't cancel Carnaval".  An emergency community meeting took place where the call was sounded for 500 volunteers to help with the event and to solicit possible sponsors and for money to be donated.  I wasn't able to make the Brava Theater meeting because I had a DJ gig with Bajofondo at Bimbo's that evening.  Roberto already had installed his own team of players to run the event.  Due to these developments, I wasn't asked to be involved in this year's event.  However, I'm not bitter, I have fond memories of my Carnaval years.  After all, life runs in cycles.  I wish the Mission community a tremendous amount of luck in their noble quest.  It looks like it may be downscaled due to the economics and tight time schedule.  Hopefully they'll succeed in pulling it off because Carnaval has to survive.  There is no other event that comes close to creating that magic.

Mood

Some truths of life that are affecting my mind space today.  Life can be a constant up and down cycle..you just have to ride it out!  After surviving a tough period of time where sure things have changed and some juicy repeat business dries up, I'm looking forward to working more rewarding projects and dates this year.   I have to be optimistic because when one door closes, another one opens. You just have to be ready to plunge in.  I haven't been writing much lately but I'm writing today.  Funny how life works that way.  It's always easy to point fingers, swear at people and blame everyone for your problems.  Solving your problems is always the hard work.  So please forgive me for not writing much, I'm busy solving my problems.  Music is the point of this blog...really.  However, one page devoted to self therapy is ok.  I promise I won't make a habit of it.

SXSW 2013

South By Southwest 2013 was an eye opener as SXSW continues to grow and get crazier.  Now every time that you catch an act, you miss 20 instead of 10 acts that you want to see at the same time.  Also cooperate interests are continuing to show a strong presence at SXSW such as the Doritos stage.  Big headliners with special lotteries for admission are showing a big presence such as Prince, Justin Timberlake, Green Day, Dave Grohl's Sound City Players with all stars such as Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty, Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others.  SXSW also continues to be an industry conference whose speakers are full of such hot shot respected figures such as Clive Davis and artist interviews with Eric Burdon and new sensations MacKelmore and Ryan Lewis.  More to report coming up!

Grammy 2013 Post Mortem

I watched the 2013 edition of the Grammys last night.   It was an overly long show full of the good and ugly moments that make up the Grammys.  Among the fine surprises were the tribute to Bob Marley which included Bruno Mars, Sting and Rhianna along with Marley's sons Ziggy and Damian....Blues rock titans The Black Keys joined by a colorful Dr. John in full New Orleans voodoo headdress along with the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band....Jazz masters Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Kenny Garrett jammin' without a drummer...so sublime!  Who could also forget JLo's leg, Katy Perry's cleavage, Nas's cool tux, Ellen DeGeneres making Beyonce nervous, Folk revivalists Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers demonstrating why they are hot right now, Wiz Kalifa's cool take on the 80's Boy George hat, guest presenter Prince making a fashion statement in a black hoodie ensemble and carrying a silver cane and Juanes showing off his singer/songwriter side in English.  There were plenty of cheesy moments that was the subject of all my facebook friends who were wickedly putting down the badly sung songs,  the blown jokes by star presenters who should know better and all the other absurdities that was part of the broadcast.  But isn't that what The Grammys are all about?  Not really.  There were categories that we didn't see on TV that were important to some of us.  It would have been nice to see some Latin music in the mix this year.  Some of our fine local artists, musicians and producers in all genres were nominated this year.  They didn't make it to 3 1/2 hours of television glitz.  What the Grammys are is just entertainment.  The real substance behind the music and the most exciting music out today doesn't make it to our TV screens.   For a fleeting moment, host LL Cool J's throwback to hard core rap with Public Enemy's Chuck D, guitar whiz Tom Morello, dj QTip and Blink 42 drummer Travis Barker just made it before the closing credits were ran.  That's the Grammy's for you.