A Taina/Boricua Youth's perspective. Keeping the memory of the ancestors alive.
Whether he invented Mambo, laid the groundwork for Salsa or revitalized són, his contributions are undeniably seminal. This is a story of a phenomenal musician whose compositions are classics that laid the foundation for Salsa. It is a story filled with myths and half truths. This is the story of Arsenio Rodríguez. Ignacio Arsenio Travieso …
Continue reading El Ciego Maravilloso: The Story of Arsenio Rodríguez
Percussionist, bandleader, dancer and founder of 'Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound' joined the ancestors earlier today at the age of 81. From his works with Cortijo Y Su Combo and The Fania All Stars to his incredible 'Roberto Y Su Apollo Sound', Roberto's albums are incredible examples of classic Salsa with unique innovation. Buen …
Continue reading Roberto Roena (1940-2021) has joined the ancestors
Larry Harlow and Frankie Dante (L-R) Si yo fuera presidente, si yo fuera un presidente, no hubiera fuerzas armadas, las guerras se acabarían, los muchachos regresaban a casa donde pertenecen...Frankie Dante pa’ presidente”..Presidente Dante— Frankie Dante feat. Larry Harlow Today we will be honoring a sonero who never received the acclaim and recognition he should have. His …
Continue reading Remembering Frankie Dante on what would have been his 76th birthday.
Israel López, better known as Cachao was the co-creator of mambo, bandleader, double bassist, composer, and arranger. One of his and his brother Orestes’ greatest innovations was mambo, livening up a classical Danzon, with afro-Cuban rhythm, as Cachao termed it “turning the ship 180˚”. Israel López Valdés was born on September 14, 1918 in Belen, Old …
Continue reading Celebrating Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez on what would have been his 103rd birthday.
The great Panamanian trumpet virtuoso, Vitin (Victor) Paz joined the ancestors on April 3, 2021. Vitin was/is one of the greatest trumpeters in Latin music. His amazing work spanned across decades. from his work with the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra to his work with the Fania All Stars, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and countless others as …
Continue reading Panamanian Trumpet Virtuoso Victor Paz has moved to the other neighborhood
Left to right, Tite Curet, Gilda Haddock,, Ruben Blades, Willie Colon, ‘El Sonero Mayor’ Ismael Rivera, Ismael Rivera jr (his son), the unforgettable Rafael Cortijo and the great Cheo Feliciano. Tite Curet and his childhood friend Daniel Santos Catalino Curet Alonso was born on February 12, 1926 in Hoyo Ingles, Guayama, Borinquen (Puerto Rico). …
Continue reading Tite Curet Alonso, “Poet of the People” (New Revised Article).
Anani Kaike February 26, 2019. In Latin/Caribbean/Salsa music there are few women who broke the barriers that surrounded that genre. One of the women who definitely broke that barrier was Myrta Silva, La Gordita de Oro. Not long ago, my father was talking with me about music and mentioned Myrta. He had mentioned Myrta before …
Continue reading Remembering Myrta Silva, (La Gordita de Oro).
Anani Kaike February 15, 2019 Bolero singer Santito/Santos Colon, ‘The Man With The Golden Voice’ is(was) one of the greatest voices in Latin Music and Boleros. Santito recorded more than 47 albums throught his 60 year career. Santito was truly a bolero singer, not just someone who could sing boleros. Even though he was influential and …
Rafael Hernandez was the most popular Boricua singer of the 1940’s and 50’s. He composed as many as 3,000 songs (some number were never recorded). Some of the most famous songs he composed are Lamento Boricua, Deselvo de Amor, Preciosa and Perfume de Gardenia. While some of his songs were upbeat and danceable like El Cumbanchero, (which was made popular by …
Continue reading Rafeal Hernandez and the little known anti-colonial messages of his music.
Febuary 5, 2019 Anani Kaike Today Febuary 5, 2019 would have been Daniel Santos’s 103rd birthday . I feel that it is very important to acknowledge him and his music today. Daniel Santos was another singer I have always heard the voice of. He was also another one of my grandfather’s favorite singers so his …
Voice of the Water Lily 