Jorge Dalto – Chicago Roots

When we look at the development of Latin music in Chicago we often overlook what was once in our own back yard. Many times musicians start out or do their “field training” in Chicago and later move on to the “big time.” You can’t really blame them for moving on to greener pastures. After all, you need to go where the work is. Recently, I came across a video of a former Chicago musician who really hit the big time. He was pianist Jorge Dalto. He lived in Chicago for only a few years but what an impression he made. Jorge Dalto came to Chicago from Argentina years ago to further his music career. He played here with a local quintet and met his wife Adela, who had moved here from Indiana. After doing the club scene for a few years he moved to the Big Apple where he made his name. Jorge Dalto is probably most famous for his work with George Benson but during his time in New York he also worked with Tito Puente, Machito, Willie Colon and was the pianist for Gato Barbieri. Attached is a video of Jorge Dalto playing a solo with some of the Fania Stars. Unfortunately, Jorge Dalto passed away at 39 years of age after a long illness. Click on the attached link and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQt9JiG5O7g&feature=related

“Suena” – Latin Jazz combo brings us “Salsazz” (Salsa con Jazz)

 

On Sunday, May 15, 2011, I had the great pleasure of doing my part in supporting the American Cancer Society Walk and Roll event at Grant Park in downtown, Chicago. It was cold, windy and it rained all day. Despite that, Latin music still found a way to warm our spirits and become part of our day. The band performing there did their part by keeping us entertained with their rendition of Latin standards with just a touch of jazz. It was a nice blend that I would like to refer to as, “Sals-Azz,” or Salsa con Jazz. The group I am referring to is a relatively new group from Chicago called, “Suena Latin Jazz.” The group is comprised of a pianist, a conga player (the leader), timbales, bongo, trumpet, saxophone and a baby bass player. Its leader, Juan Carlos Delgado or “JC” as he is referred to did his best to make good out of an otherwise miserable day (only due to the weather). I would like to thank them for sticking it out during the rain. As always, I am a supporter of all local Latin Bands. Please do the same. “JC” can be reached at jcarlos@windycitymix.com.

Mike Maldonado – “Sonero De Los Soneros”

As you near the club you could hear the music at a distance… Once you get inside and make your way through the crowd you can feel the swing of the band in high gear as the congas move the tempo forward like clockwork. The “cascara” of the timbal and the slapping sounds of the bongo compliment the tempo and complete all the necessary elements to carry the swing of the band. The dancers respond. The ones not dancing form a crowd around the stage. As the “Sonero” joins the tune and begins to sing, all eyes are on him. His crafty lyrics send a message to all letting them know he is the baddest mother f in the house. As the dancers revolve around the dance floor it is hard for the ladies to ignore the voice that carries the message. The singer, although small in stature is a giant in many ways. That singer is no other than Mike Maldonado, the Chicago Salsa Icon who delivered the message for so many salsa bands in Chicago for decades.
Mike Maldonado came to Chicago many years ago from Utuado, Puerto Rico. His love for music was second to none and he quickly became involved in the Chicago Latin music scene. In the over 50 plus years he spent in the city he sang with most of the popular salsa bands. Back in the day Mike Maldonado sang with Los Humacaenos and Rio Platense. I recall the first time I saw him he was singing at the Las Vegas Night Club with a group there. I remember that Mike was never out of a gig and had done time with many other established bands such as, Felipe Y Su Gran Sonora, “Tarzan” (Edwin Rivera) Y Su Orquesta, and on occasion with La Sonora Tropical and La Confidencia. I recall that during the 1970s Mike Maldonado started a band called “Nova.” I remember comparing the group to Tipica 73 from New York at the time because they had a similar sound. The group was very popular and became the house band for one of the Latin clubs in the city for a long time. They were one of my favorite groups of that time. Later on, after the breakup of “Nova,” Mike Maldonado found a new home with “La Confidencia,” who was going through some personnel changes. Mike’s professionalism and savvy style of singing solidified the sound of La Confidencia, who became one of the longest lasting salsa bands in the city.
After several years away from the Latin scene I heard about a band called the 911 Mambo Orchestra. I found out that the band, under the direction of Trombonist Angel Melendez, had recorded an album that was nominated for a Grammy – a first for a Chicago Salsa band. I decided to check out a few tracks from the CD and was surprised when I recognized the vocals of none other than Mike Maldonado. I remember talking to Mike Maldonado about the recording later on. He would beam when he talked about it. He said that after so many years paying his dues in Chicago he could not believe that his first recording with 911 Mambo Orchestra resulted in a Grammy nomination. He said it was “like hitting a home run in your first at bat.” He was truly proud of this accomplishment and proud of the band and grateful to Angel Melendez for the opportunity.
A couple of years ago a local musician called me and told me that Mike Maldonado was retiring and moving to Florida and that Angel Melendez was having a homage to him at a popular downtown restaurant. I agreed to go and was glad to meet up with him again and reminisce about old times and the development of salsa over the years. We had a great time and exchanged numbers. After a few weeks, I called Mike to see how things were going in Florida. He told me things were great and that I should come down because there was a lot of work there. As it turned out Mike couldn’t stay away from salsa. He wound up singing for a group there called “La Nueva Herencia” and never really retired from music. You see, it’s not easy retiring from salsa or completely quitting something you love. A short time after our conversation I was saddened to learn that Mike Maldonado had passed away in Florida. Mike Maldonado may have left us with no one to fill his role here in Chicago as the premier “Sonero” but make no mistake, Mike Maldonado is still singing those crafty lyrics in the sky letting them know he is still the baddest mother f  around. Thanks for giving us all those years of good salsa. We miss you.

To read a little more on Mike Maldonado click on the attached link.
http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/pdf/377/37716111.pdf 

Chicago Salsa Bands - Past and Present

While conducting research on Chicago Salsa Bands I was able to compile a list of links of videos of Chicago Salsa Bands that came to my attention. Some of the bands are new to the scene and other videos are of past salsa bands. Listed below are the links or ULR addresses for the videos. Paste them to your address bar and see what was posted. Enjoy..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIHKTLR3yu8&feature=related

Sonora Tropical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vm3a4wG9Rg

Everardo Y Su Flota Musical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0rdkSSrsiQ

Orquesta Yambo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntyU4bAafk0

Carpacho Y Su Super Combo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJvIEr4xED4

La Tremenda Rumba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E47xVVsAPFY

Chicago Mambo All Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqxIyXDiwqM&feature=related

Eliezer Y Su Orquesta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcJ9JvIPqp4&feature=related

Gelito Sanchez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SeD3Yme5mo&feature=mr_meh&list=PLD3504264750CD7FA&index=2&play

La Justicia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdzUUL5MMN8&feature=related

Tarzan Y La Poderosa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=058aeWrNVC4&feature=related

La Solucion de Chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n48jcA8urP8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

La Confidencia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg6ecFlagXo

Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra

http://salsadelbarrio-chicago.blogspot.com/2011/03/charlie-burgos-and-la-nuestra-sing.html

La Nuestra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6hpxjetdY

Orquesta Sensacion de Chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TDarXq096o&feature=related

Orquesta Suave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4Z83pXd9U

La Controversia de Milwaukee, Wisconsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAUlGPB85zY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Manuel Y Sus Estrellas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KysQkl6_EeI&feature=related
La Union de Chicago 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkC37l9ufXQ&feature=related
Juventud Tipica 78 de Chicago 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwEoPjSLalM

Teddy Torres 
http://www.mamboexpress5.com/
Vic Parra and the Mambo Express 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dbPnXs3b-o&feature=related

Shorty Ramirez Y Su Orquesta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYFxQMm8J8 
Tipica Leal 79
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tzum26uucc
Rica Obsesion

The Other Barreto

 

Although our intent here is to feature Chicago Salsa Bands, I wanted to share this video with you so you can capture the essence of Latin Jam Session or the “descarga.” These jam sessions used to be common in Chicago years ago when Latin musicians from different groups would get together to play to an open audience. Many times they would be outdoors in and around Humboldt Park. This video features an old Cuban group called “Los Amigos.” They are led by timbalero Guillermo Barreto. Guillermo started the Saturday Afternoon Jam Sessions in New York back in the day which became popular in the jazz circles. Featured in the video is pianist Frank Emilio, a Cuban pianist who played jazz and has been blind since the age of 13. The flutist is Miguel O’Farrill. On conga is the famous Tata Guines (pronounced weenes). The bassist who starts out the tune is none other than Cachaito Lopez. Click on the following link and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXBEDTMGUxw&NR=1 

Raul “Timbal”

Photo courtesy of salsachicago.com

During the 1970s and 1980s, Chicago was blessed to have an abundance of salsa bands. This was possible due to the many salsa musicians that were part of the salsa scene during those days. Among the musicians paying his dues was a talented timbalero named, Raul “Timbal.” I remember Raul from his early days when he was the regular timbalero for La Confidencia, one of the more popular salsa bands at the time. He was a man of little words. His message came from his playing. Raul is an expert Latin Percussionist who can solo with the best of them. I recently ran into Raul again. I was at a banquet where his new band, Salsa Chicago Mambo Jazz Orchestra, was playing. Raul played the audience well. He interacted with them and spiced it up with his snappy cuts and solos. Raul started his musical career many years ago while in High School. He played for the High School Steel Band and eventually formed his first band, La Libertad Latina. He later became the timbalero for a new group formed by popular singer, Mike Maldonado. The name of the group was "Nova." Raul’s talent and showmanship eventually caught the eye of Richard (Richie) Straka, the leader of La Confidencia, who quickly hired him as his regular timbalero when Nova broke up. I was glad to see that Raul “Timbal” is still around during a time when so many have moved on. In Chicago’s salsa history, Feliz Raul “Timbal” is someone you should know. To learn more about Raul “Timbal,” go to the attached link.

http://www.midwestlatino.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=128

The History of Chicago Salsa Clubs

Throughout this site we featured many of the bands and musicians from back in the day. We also occasionally mentioned some of the night clubs from the past and even gave you a brief description of some of them so you could get the feel of what it was like. While topics on this blog are generally geared toward past and present salsa bands in Chicago it would only be fair to provide a brief history on some of the Night Clubs and people who also played a role in the development of salsa in Chicago. After all, without the clubs where would the bands play? The following is a brief historical summary of Chicago salsa clubs. Part of this summary was provided by Tony Irizarry, a local historian who operates a local Hispanic Museum in Chicago. This is from his publication, “Un Siglo De Hispanidad En Chicago.”

After the 1950s, Latin bands began to make occasional appearances in Chicago. A local promoter at the time, Rafael Cardona, in 1954 was one of the first to begin the practice when he first brought the popular “Cortijo Y Su Combo” to the Ashland Auditorium. Afterward, he continued to bring Latin attractions to local theaters and dances throughout Chicago. After the 50s, Vitin Santiago, a popular band leader opened one of the first Latin clubs, “La Sonora Night Club.” It was located on Madison Street near Ogden Avenue. Also around that time, local MC, Turin Acevedo, and his brother Mike opened the popular “Mocambo” night club, which was located on Madison and Loomis.

Another very popular club that was described as being much classier was “El Petite Lounge.” The headliner at this club was the ever popular Pellin Rodriguez. Pellin Rodriguez worked at this club until he eventually joined “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” as a vocalist. On Division Street another club, “Carmen’s Village,” featured bands regularly. The club was owned by Carmen Cristia (who later became Carmen Diaz).

A short distance away on Clybourn another club opened called, “El Tropicana Night Club.” The club did not last very long even though it was one of the more attractive clubs. Back on Division Street between Milwaukee Avenue and Ashland Avenue Charlie Gomez and his partners opened the “Casino Puerto Rico.” This club was the newest sensation but was quickly shut down when a patron was killed there. Other clubs and venues of note were the “Congreso Puertoriqueno” on North Avenue and Ogden Avenue, El “Puesto Boricua,” on Milwaukee and Elston, and “Club Los Nobles” at 17^th and Ashland.

Some local halls that featured Latin bands regularly were the Ashland Auditorium located at Ashland Avenue and Van Buren and the Temple Hall at Van Buren and Marshfield. Later on during the 1970s the Walsh Hall near Noble and Milwaukee Avenue hosted dances featuring Latin bands from Puerto Rico and New York. Local bands that played there regularly were bands like, “Felipe Y Su Gran Sonora,” “Los Humacaenos,” “El Trio Rio Platense” led by Justino Diaz, “Tarzan Y Su Orquesta,” and “Cayito Y Su Combo.”

Some of the local promoters of that era who deserve mention are; Tony Serrano, Emilio Cruz, Tony Irizarry and the ever popular Angel Lopez, who deserves special mention for taking salsa one step further. Tony Quintana was another popular promoter who hosted a local Spanish television program and opened a club called, “The Havana Madrid” located at Belmont and Sheffield.

Florentino (Junior) Mitchel was the first to promoter bring “El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico” to the Aragon Ballroom. Diego “El Cubano” Y Su Combo became very popular in the Latin club scene as well as Rafael “El Congo” Castro. “El Congo” was a very popular showman during these times. He was a great conga player and dancer. He was known as a one man show – very entertaining. Also around this time a Puerto Rican vocalist, Eddie Galarza, opened one of the most popular restaurant/ bars in the city known as, “Café Ole” located at Armitage and Sedgwick. Vitin Santiago, after his arrival to Chicago formed a band and quickly became the band that would alternate with many of the bands playing here from New York and Puerto Rico.  Later on, Vitin Santiago opened the “Sonora Night Club” and “El Coco Loco” in Lincoln Park. Several years later he opened the famous “Latin Village Night Club” on Lincoln Avenue.

During the late 70s and into the early 80s the popular clubs featuring slasa bands were, the “Tropical Magic” on Fullerton and Rockwell, the “Las Vegas Night Club” on Armitage Avenue, the “Night Life Night Club” on North Avenue, the “Nevada Night Club” on Kimball and Armitage, “La Concha” on North Avenue near Humbolt Park, the "Night and Day" on Sheridan, the “Chateau Latino,” and as previously mentioned, the “Latin Village” in Lincoln Park. “El Mirador” on North Avenue, billed as the most exclusive club of them all had Tito Puente and his Orchestra as the house band. Other halls that featured salsa bands during that time were, the “Northwest Hall” at North Avenue and Western, “Links Hall” at Sheffield and Cornelia, “D.A.N.K. Hall” located at Western and Lawrence, “El Club Ecuatoriano” at Broadway and Irving Park, the “Golden Tiara” located at Cicero near Belmont, and the ever famous Aragon Ballroom on Lawrence Avenue.  

Over the years I have heard many stories surrounding these clubs. They played an important role in the development of salsa in Chicago and as such deserved to be mentioned. Today, the “Rumba” on Hubbard, “Nacional 27” on Huron and “Tumbao" on Armitage Avenue are some of the clubs still featuring live salsa a few nights a week. I am sure we missed some but if anyone out there would like to give us an update or straighten us out with some of the details please feel free to post an update. Que Viva La Salsa!