Flashback to the 70's - El Mirador

Here is a picture someone sent me recently of the house band at El Mirador on North Avenue during the 70's. Menique is the leader. If you remember form a prior post, El Mirador was the exclusive Latin Night Club that featured Tito Puente during that time. Menique and this group took over the house band duties after Puente moved on. How many of these musicians do you recognize? (Hint - some are still around).

Salsa Giants

This week, I had the pleasure of seeing the "Salsa Giants" special that was aired featuring the Sergio George collaboration of salsa stars that played at the Curacao North Jazz Festival. The show was awesome showcasing some of the popular stars that are salsa icons from its past and present. Among them was, Marc Anthony, Cheo Feliciano Oscar DeLeon, Andy Montanez, Nora (Orquesta La Luz), Luis Enrique, Tito Nieves, Willy Chirino, Charlie Zaa, Jose Alberto "El Canario",and Sergio George. I questioned the presence of Charlie Zaa among the salsa artists knowing far well that he is a better fit among the Bachata crowd but in his defense, he did a credible job and is really quite good. Anyway, as the show goes on Sergio George explained the concept behind the project and wanted to feature stars from different countries. As you can see from the names I mentioned some of the countries represented are Puerto Rico, USA (New Yorican Marc Anthony), Puerto Rico, Colombia, Japan, and Cuba among others. The band was very good containing many of the studio musicians that actually recorded many of the tunes. Sergio George is a master at his craft and put it all together quite well. I expect that it will be aired again soon. If not, a Video is available for purchase. I highly recommend it. Be sure to check it out.

El Canario at Chicago’s Cuban Fest

In case you missed it, Jose Alberto “El Canario” charged the crowd with electrifying salsa at this year’s Cuban Fest, which was held at Riis Park at Narragansett and Fullerton Avenue this past Saturday. Despite audio issues - none his doing, Jose Alberto inspired the crowd with his repertoire of tunes he has recorded over the years. Sound engineers found themselves struggling with feedback and other issues at show time (which is a no no). The crowd was smaller than expected due to the earlier severe storm that passed through the park. Those who stuck it out however were treated by a salsa Sonero who is a master of his trade. This was the third Cuban Fest event that was held at Riis Park that seems to be plagued by rain each year. Promoters may want to consider changing their dates to a dryer time. In their defense though, who can predict weather anyway.

Rica Obsesion

Here is an impressive Chicago salsa band that piqued our interest. I discovered this video on Youtube when I was looking for anything recent by today’s Chicago salsa bands. The name of the group is Rica Obsesion.  They have a modern exciting salsa sound that compares or exceeds the quality of salsa that has dominated the mainstream sound that was traditionally spoon fed to us by New York, Miami, Puerto Rico and Colombia. I am quite impressed and think this group will be around for a long time. The video was posted by “mambohiphop” on youtube recently and is a sampling of a couple of songs they recorded. I like where they are going with this and am asking everyone to support them. Hey Chicago, you really have something good here. Below is their bio that was posted by mambohiphop. Click on the link and enjoy…

Published on Youtube on Apr 26, 2012 by mambohiphop
Rica Obsesion (Chicago Salsa)
Performing: Soy Lluvia and Soy Quien Soy
Two brothers joined in blood and music founded Rica Obsesion. Dennis and Byron Calito from Guatemala; raised in Chicago, have the talent and ability to achieve in the music industry. They started playing music in church at a very young age, and were inspired by their older brother Victor. Both of them have had the privilege to perform and record with various local bands in Chicago. They have also performed with well-known artist such as, Gloria Estefan, Willy Torres, DLG, Eddie Santiago, Kevin Ceballo, Tony Vega, Van Lester, Yomo Toro, Alex D'Castro, Wichie Camacho, Frankie Negron and many more.
Dennis Calito (Timbales/Music Director) and Byron Calito (Congas/Vocals) have brought together some of Chicago’s finest musicians to make up Rica Obsesion. The Rica Obsesion family consists of Harley Figueroa (Saxophone/vocals) as musical composer, Alex Torres ( Lead Vocal ), Junior Rivera ( Lead Vocal ), Stuart Mindiman on Piano, Nathan Rodriguez Bass, Micah Frazier on Trumpet (R.I.P) ,Leon Q. Allen ( Trumpet ) and Joe Mende on Trombone.
Rica Obsesions passion for Salsa, which is vigorously projected through their musical selections from artist like Spanish Harlem Orquestra, the late Frankie Ruiz, and Soneros Del Barrio is undeniably strong. Rica Obsesion also performs variety of music such as Mergenues and cha cha cha by the late Tito Puente and many Latin Jazz tunes.
Rica Obsesion’s ultimate goal is to show their love for music in their performance, to see and feel the excitement of the audience on the dance floor. With a combination of great music and the best musicians in Chicago, Rica Obsesion is confident that their goals will be achieved and that they will be able to put Chicago back on the map for Salsa once again.
BAND: Dennis Calito- Timbal/Music Director
Byron Calito : Congas/Coro
Harley Figueroa: Saxophone / Coro
Micah Frazier: TrumpetJunior Rivera: Lead Vocal / Coro
Alex Torres: Lead Vocal / Coro
Joe Mende: Trombone
Stuart Mindiman: Piano
Richie Pillot: Bass
Brian Rivera: Bongo
http://www.ricaobsesion.net




Click on the following Link to see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q435EQkK-4k

Angel Lopez

 

During the 1970s, when salsa was going full throttle, Chicago was right in the thick of it. Salsa stars were coming to Chicago on a regular basis headlining dance halls, theaters and clubs. While most of us expected these headliners to eventually make their way here very few of us gave credit to those who went through the trouble to get them here. What most of us didn’t know was all the hard work it took to book these headliners and put the event together. One of the more popular promoters of that time was Angel Lopez, a charismatic hard working man from Puerto Rico who was responsible for bringing many of the main acts to Chicago during salsa’s heyday. Angel Lopez was tireless in his efforts to promote salsa in Chicago and probably brought about 80% of the big name salsa acts to Chicago during that time. This was a good thing. You see, these promotions brought work to Chicago. Local musicians received work as warm up bands and others were hired to accompany established stars who brought their sheet music virtually forming their bands here. Halls made money, musicians made money, vendors made money and spectators got to enjoy a big name act. Some of the stars Angel brought to Chicago on a regular basis were Eddie Palmieri, Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz and Sophie. During the salsa era Angel was at the top of his game. Angel Lopez even started the “Latin Connection” record label and was responsible for producing some of Chicago’s popular salsa bands. Angel, in my opinion, received very little credit for all he did to promote salsa in Chicago. At the close of the salsa era, Angel simply disappeared from the scene. I often wonder what ever happened to him. He was a true pioneer of Chicago salsa and deserved to be recognized for it. Wherever he is, I hope he is doing well. Attached is an old poster of one of his productions. If you were around during that time, you may remember it.

The 911 Mambo Orchestra – Small, Medium, or Large?

 

Angel Melendez’ 911 Mambo Orchestra is a band of many bands. Confusing? Not really.  Angel‘s band can change from a smaller 7 piece to a 20 piece orchestra as the occasion calls for. I have seen Angel do it many times before. On one occasion you will see the full size orchestra playing Tito Puente and on another see a much smaller Combo with 2 horns. Angel typically declares the theme of the night based on the size of the group he brings along for the date. One of my personal favorites is his “Tribute to Hector Lavoe.”  On Monday, May 28^th 2012, Angel brought his “Tribute to Hector Lavoe” to the Navy Pier Beer Garden for a free outdoor concert. The group was hot evidenced by the crowded dance floor. This is not unusual as Angel’s band usually attracts large numbers of salsa dancers. The stage was set at the end of the pier surrounded by beautiful scenery of clear skies and numerous boats in the water. On the pier was a healthy crowd of people enjoying an occasion of outdoor salsa.

Angel, who plays trombone partnered with Frankie Rodriguez - a Chicago salsa trombonist who is a veteran of many salsa bands over the years. Together they blended perfectly replicating the old Willie Colon sound that brought you back to the days when salsa dominated the scene. Angel and Frankie played in sync creating a musical blend that moved your soul. Dancers lip sung the words to the popular songs as they spun around tipping their partners as spectators stood by enjoying the groove. Angel’s vocalist did a tremendous job replicating the savvy lyrics that made Hector Lavoe so unique. All in all it was a great time. Angel, I tip my hat to you and this smaller group. You brought me back to a different time when bands like this were plentiful. It was a great experience.

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.