Salsa in Chicago.....You've gotta love it!

….The lights were dim, the candles on the small tables gave the club a romantic setting. As the couples arrive they greet each other. They are regulars dressed to the nines in an atmosphere filled with cigarette smoke and perfume. The orchestra takes their position on stage and at the hour the timbal sticks begin the count. 1…2…1,2,3,4. Bam! The horns blare and the music begins. On cue, couples take over the dance floor and show off their styles with precision. Couples twirl and the most skilled take center position on the dance floor claiming dominance. Through the mambos and the son montunos the congas carry the beat with the horns blaring in support. Salsa! You gotta love it. It’s not a fad. It’s a lifestyle.

Today's Featured Artist - Latin Percussionist Ray Soto

    Ray Soto (congas) At Humbolt Park - Chicago

    Ray Soto with Los Consules

     Ray Soto circa 1970s

Percussionist Ray Soto has been playing the Latin circuit in Chicago for many years. He is renowned in the Salsa and Latin Jazz scene and continues to entertain us with his smooth style and arsenal of Latin rhythms.  Puerto Rican percussionist Ray Soto grew up in the streets of the Windy City. He began his musical career as a guitar player, occasionally hitting the skins. He was the son of a Record Store Owner that catered to the Latin American community. Working the store on occasion helped him appreciate all different types of rhythms. He originally played guitar in a Spanish trio then played in a rock group until salsa started to become popular after his return from Puerto Rico. He eventually switched to percussion and there found his niche. Ray was a collector of old Latin albums and amassed quite a collection of hard to get early albums of Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, The Allegre All Stars, and countless pioneers of early salsa. Listening to these albums helped bring out the natural swing in him that lies at the core of all Latin percussionists.

Ray Soto has played with many established Latin Bands in Chicago. Among them were, La Sonora Tropical, Los Casiques, Los Consules, The Mambo All Stars, and countless others. Over the years, Ray Soto has served as a mentor to many youths who want to learn and experience Latin Music. Today, Ray Soto assists Chicago’s Quatro Ensemble, a youth orchestra that consists totally of quarto players. In the Chicago music scene Ray Soto is someone you should know.

Ray Soto is featured on the album entitled, “Los Consules” (1977)

Chicago International Salsa Congress - 2011

This past Saturday (February 19,2011) I had the good fortune to attend the 10th Anniversary of the Chicago International Salsa Congress at the Westin O'Hare hotel. The salsa dancing and bands were outstanding to say the least. If you never attended before, this is a must. The Salsa Congress hosts a weekend of non-stop salsa. Every year the attraction seems to get bigger and the dancers get better. This Saturday Sammy Garcia Y El Sabor De Puerto Rico were the evening's headliners.They were spectacular.The Chicago Mambo All-Stars also played the event.   If you haven't checked them out you need to do so. If I were asked to rate this event, I would definitely give it 5 stars. Don't miss the next one.http://www.chicagosalsacongress.com/index.php

Recordando el club nocturno "Asi Es Colombia" y Los Consules

Yo recuerdo que durante los años 1970 había un club nocturno Colombiano llamado, "Asi Es Colombia" en la Avenida Lincoln en Chicago. La Orquesta de la casa en el club en ese tiempo se llamavan "Los Consules." Luis Giraldo, el saxofonista era el líder y entretenia mucha jente con su grupo durante aquellos años. Yo recuerdo que ellos producieron un álbum titulado, "Los Consules - Con La Musica Original De Luis Gabriel Giraldo." Una copia de la caratula del álbum esta atachada a este mensaje. ¿Recuerdan esta Orquesta? Encontré un vídeo en el Internet recientemente con la nueva banda de Luis Giraldo. Estoy contento saber que Luis G. Giraldo todavia nos sigue entreteniéndo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xER3vUxynms

La Sonora Tropical de Chicago

For those who want to learn a little more about this 1970s band from Chicago go to the attached link.La Sonora Tropical

La Salsa De Ayer en Chicago

¿Recuerda cuándo la música de salsa dominó Chicago en 1970as? En aquel tiempo todos los clubes Latinos tenían orquestas de salsa. En ese tiempo clubes populares como La Concha, El Tropical Magic, El Latin Village, El Nevada, El club Las Vegas, El Night Life y muchos otros presentavan bandas de salsa todo los fines de semana. La música era contagiosa y la atmósfera era muy animada. De vez en cuando los dueños de los clubes presentaban estrellas de nombres grandes  pero la mayoria de las veses presentavan orquestas de salsa locales. Estos tiempos son inolvidables. Todo el mundo hablaba de la salsa de Nueva York, pero muy pocos hablaban de la salsa en Chicago. ¿Tiene alguna historia que quieren compartir con nosotros sobre la salsa de Chicago? Por favor díganos sus memorias para que nosotros podemos revivir esos tiempos.

Vitin Santiago - A Chicago Latin Band Icon

    Vitin Santiago and his Orchestra

We recently posted a brief article on The Latin Village Night Club in Lincoln Park and its owner, "Vitin" Santiago. In a followup to that article we are sad to report that Vitin Santiago passed away on January 20th, 2011 in Chicago. Vitin suffered from diabetes and heart problems. He will truly be missed. Anyone who lived through the time when he ran the one of the hottest salsa clubs will remember Vitin as a true professional. There are many Vitin stories out there - all memorable. Feel free to post your memories of Vitin. A snapshot of Vitin and his life are available at the attached link. http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/3572878-418/santiago-puerto-chicago-music-latin.html