This site is dedicated to bringing Chicago area salsa fans up to speed about an almost forgotten era in Chicago - The Salsa era. This is not to say that salsa is still not around for salsa will never disappear. Its intent is to share the experience with those that didn't know about it and to revive the experience in those that lived it. We welcome articles from anyone who would like to share their experience during this time.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
El Canario at Chicago’s Cuban Fest
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Rica Obsesion
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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
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Angel Lopez
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Monday, June 4, 2012
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 28th 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.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Cabito Y Su Combo Puerto Rico – La Vieja Guardia
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 1st trumpet, Papo Feliciano on Congas, Julio on 2nd 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.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Listen to Dimension Latina radio
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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
Dimension Latina" would appreciate any information on concerts, new releases or events listeners can provide.
http://www.dimensionlatina.com/home.html
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Charlie Burgos
What Styles Are You Following Today?
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