Cabito Y Su Combo Puerto Rico – La Vieja Guardia

 

Right around the time the Salsa Explosion hit the Chicago area I began to take in as many Latin dances and events that I could. I had a bad case of “salsa fever” and hit every salsa venue I could to get my fix. At that time there were many newer youthful salsa bands starting out who were drawing in younger fans. There were also the older established bands that played the Latin scene long before they called it salsa. One of those bands was a band called “Cabito Y Su Combo Puerto Rico.”

Before salsa, many of the bands were calling themselves Combos because of the popularity of Cortijo Y Su Combo in New York. Cabito’s Combo was an orchestra of 9 musicians. The band had 3 trumpets, a piano player, a baby bass player, a conga player, timbal player, bongo player and a vocalist. “Cabito,” whose real name was Juan Rivera or “Johnny,” was the leader of the band. In his day he was an accomplished percussionist but late in his musical career was limited to playing the bongo and cowbell with a stick due to an unfortunate accident. “Cabito,” as many local musicians were, was a full time factory worker during the day who lost an arm while operating a punch press machine. His will to continue playing however prevailed when he resumed booking the band. He had a modified stand for the bongo and cowbell which he would play with a stick. He wore a prosthetic arm and continued playing until he retired. The band was very popular among the older set. To watch his band was like going back in time to the early Palladium days. He always filled the dance halls and the band members always wore tuxedo jackets. The music stands they used were older type fold out boxed-shaped stands with band name painted on the front with a large Puerto Rican Flag. Cabito, a consummate cigar smoker, always wore a round porkpie hat. His rendition of “Cachita” was one of the songs I most associated with his band. Although I don’t recall all the band member’s names, I do remember a few. They were “Cabito” leader-bongos, vocalist Johnny Melendez, Dallas on 1^st trumpet, Papo Feliciano on Congas, Julio on 2^nd trumpet, and David on timbales. There was also a female trumpet player who I believe Cabito called Margarita. The band played a nice mix of guarachas, merengues and guaguancos and was one of the top Combos in Chicago during the pre-salsa era days.

“Cabito” eventually wrapped it up in the 1980s and moved to Florida when he retired from his day job. If there was a Chicago Salsa Hall of Fame, he would get my vote to be inducted. Just some the old salsa history I wanted to pass on.

Listen to Dimension Latina radio

In some of the early posts of this blog I mentioned that the intent of this blog is to promote Chicago salsa and to provide a forum for us to remember those who contributed to Chicago’s rich salsa history. I posted a little about some of the earlier bands and musicians who held it down back in the day and spoke a little about some of the venues, such as the clubs, dance halls and night clubs that became synonymous with Chicago salsa. Much of what I mentioned here was based on the way I remember it. What I failed to delve on was the roll that “salsa radio” played in all of this. I briefly spoke about a couple of them in earlier posts but feel it is important to remind everyone that without salsa radio to keep it alive it would not have lasted as long as it did. In that regard I wanted to thank all of those radio stations who provided support for Chicago salsa and went through the rough times when what was played was determined by who was paying advertising (this was not good for salsa fans). The reliance on advertising basically killed the market in Chicago. I guess you can’t blame them. That is the nature of the beast – everyone has to eat.

Today, I want to tell you about a local radio station that is keeping salsa alive in Chicago despite finances and is looking for your support. I want to give them a shout out and ask everyone out there to give them a listen. Unlike radio stations of the past, they do not rely on advertising. This is a station run out of Loyola University by true salsa fans. Please give them your support and log on to their site for featured artists of both past and present. I will provide a link to their site at the end of the post. Here is a little more on them:

Celebrating their 33rd Anniversary in 2012, “Dimension Latina" airs every Sunday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. At WLUW 88.7 FM Loyola’s Radio Station and features the music of various Latin-American recording artists. The Radio Station can also be streamed live on-line at www.dimensionlatina.com & www.wluw.org As a non-commercial radio station, they cannot sell advertising time so they rely on the cooperation of various promoters, distributors and Record Labels who provide them with new releases, concert information, prizes and tickets to a number of events for our listeners.
Dimension Latina" would appreciate any information on concerts, new releases or events listeners can provide.

http://www.dimensionlatina.com/home.html 

More Marcus Persiani - or how we used to call him back in the day – Marcolino…

 

While cruising around Youtube the other day and found this video of Marcus Persiani doing his thing with Manny Oquendo and Orquesta Libre. Check out the piano solo by Marcus. This cat is the baddest. Another Chicago product showing his salsa chops. The video is provided courtesy of Plena007 who posted it on Youtube. Click on the link and Enjoy.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Io6-NkSAs

Charlie Burgos

In the days of early Chicago salsa, the band that started it all here in my opinion anyway was La Justicia. The band had a huge following and inspired many a young Chicago Hispanic musician to play salsa music. All the band members were young, talented and enthusiastic. Among the band members was multi-talented trombonist Charlie Burgos. Charlie not only played trombone, he also did occasional vocals and composed his own songs. Earlier I posted a video of a Charlie Burgos composition entitled, “That’s No Sweat,” which not only was a great crossover tune but represented many of the urban Latinos of that time who spoke little or no Spanish. His composition was a way for little Spanish speaking Hispanics to enjoy salsa and still understand the lyrics. Recently I was made aware that Charlie Burgos had passed away. This is a great loss for Chicago salsa. In his memory I am asking if anyone can tell us a little more about him. We are looking for any pictures, songs or general stories about him and his role in Chicago’s old school salsa. Any posts would be appreciated.

What Styles Are You Following Today?

This Question came to us from Orquesta Solar today - From Son Cubano to Salsa, from losing legends such as Ismael Rivera, Frankie Ruiz, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Chamaco Rivera. I would like to know from your audience what is it that they would like to hear (as far as styles, salsa romantica, guapachosa, erotica, ect)? Classics get worn out and put on the shelf, after some time the demand comes back-nostalgia imposes itself and dancers want what at one time was hot. Feel free to post your response. I will publish them as they come in.

Mambo Jazz Gets Down

The percussion was hot on a cold night in Chicago this past December 13th. Raul Timbal - featuring Pepe Armijos on piano, started the fireworks early when they opened the show at the Puerto Rican Police Association’s annual banquet. Raul wowed the crowd when his first number peaked with an exciting timbal solo setting the tone for the night. Raul was at this best and the crowd responded on the dance floor. Pepe Armijos, a guest pianist, entertained the crowd as well with his delightful key work. They played through the night playing their renditions of many of the popular salsa tunes of the day. A good time was had by all. Check them out the next time you get a chance. You won’t be disappointed.

Descarga Papiro!

…as the dancers spin, the strobe driven tempo charges the atmosphere when the timbalero suddenly breaks into his solo…. The timbales speak. The faster he plays, the faster they dance until they go spinning into salsa frenzy. Latin heat is infectious. Not a soul in the place is still because Papiro and his timbal claimed the night. That was salsa at its best. As you play this clip close your eyes and imagine yourself there.