Alonso Brito, The kind of Music that gets under your skin!

Discover the Old Style Cuban Music of

Alonso Brito!

When I hear the music of Alonso Brito, I feel myself transported to an old cafe somewhere in Havana, with the smell of cigars in the air and the heat in the air assisting in the slow grind of Cuban couples dancing to the sultry rhythms. It is how i picture real Latin music to be.  You can feel in the song that their is Latin passion behind it.  You just can't fake emotion in songs like this.

"Alonso is like no other contemporary salsa singer – part Mick Jagger, part Caetano Veloso and part Desi Arnaz on acid" – Los Angeles Times

"In the 1950's America fell in love with the Mambo.  It's 2008 and we are already falling in love with Alonso Brito and his brand of Cuban music, he is really talented, extremely talented" -KPFK Radio

About Alonso Brito:

Born in La Habana, Cuba during the Golden Fifties, Alonso Brito had an idyllic childhood that ran parallel to Hollywood classics of that period. At the age of nine, he was living in Cuba when Fidel Castro's revolution arose. Political and civil unrest forced him to flee the country, never to return.  During a landmark historical period in American history, Alonso arrived in Miami, Florida in September 1960.

Thrust into early adulthood though being barely ten years old, Brito has been witness to events that have formed our country and left an indelible mark in his memory. The short-lived presidency of John F. Kennedy, The Birmingham Riots, The Cuban Missile Crisis, the civil rights movement and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, manned space travel and the Vietnam War are moments in time that some of us lived while some of us only read about them in books—Alonso Brito has done both and uses it to not only give depth to the life he leads, but volume to the music he shares.

Those wonder years, as well as those of his pre-emmigration childhood are reflected throughout his music. Alonso, or “AB”, along with his dear friend Chris McClure have prepared a style of show that has not been seen since the 1950's. Nothing in the United States and few similar performers are comparable to the style, culture and substance of the music and performances that AB brought from Cuba to gift us. His journey, his convictions, his spirit and his music have become the epitome of what it is to be Cuban-American.

Orquesta Bakan LIVE at Roccapulco Supper Club, San Francisco

Orquesta Bakan LIVE

Friday November 14th, 2008

Roccapulco Supper Club
3140 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel. 415.648.6611

—Salsa Lesson at 8:30pm with Ava & Rodolfo—

—Band Plays at 10:00pm—

Roccapulco is an internationally renowned Salsa Club and restaurant in San Francisco.  Information – Age for admission: 21 and over; Dress code enforced; Dorrs Open: 8:00pm.  Cover Charge: $10.00 Friday and Saturday before 9:30pm, $15 after 9:30pm, except for special events.

About Orquesta Bakan:

The very meaning of Bakan is Festival, Carnival…. and Fiesta, which is shown in their style of music and presentation.

Basically if you're hot, you are Bakan! Bakan is a full powerful Orchestra which features the Tropical and Latin Spirit that the Bay Area and beyond has come to know and love.

This high-energy Orquesta consists of some of the finest musicians in Northern California.

A nice blend of experienced, and up and coming young talent is reflected in their showmanship.

On vocals are, Victor "Cafe" August and Fernando “Nando” Wilkins. On Trumpets, Tom Bertetta and John Ruff. On Bari Sax, Peter Cornell, and on Trombones Doug Beavers, and Mike Rinta. Christian Tumalan on Piano, and Carlos Ramirez on Electric Bass.

Eric Mendez on Timbales, Sean Zuniga on Congas, and Director Jose Guaman on Bongos/Vocals. Each member brings the flavor of his country ranging from Puerto Rico, Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, and the USA.

San Francisco's Secret Salsa Spot, Cigar Bar and Grill

Cigar Bar & Grill
850 Montgomery Street
(at Gold St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
www.cigarbarandgrill.com

About the Cigar Bar:

Tucked away, down some inconspicuous stairs on Montgomery Street in North Beach, you will find a San Francisco Jewel called the Cigar Bar. It attracts locals and foreigners from all different parts of the world. I feel like I am being transported to some little place in Spain or Cuba when I enter the warmly lit bar. I am drawn in by the live Latin music playing from the small tiled dance-floor.

This isn't your normal Salsa Club, well it isn't a Salsa Club at all. It is a place where people go to enjoy a selection of tapas, great tequila (well this is a personal note), wine, live music, cigars of course, and now salsa dancing.

It feels a bit how salsa dancing was born, not in the big clubs, but in small venues where people are drinking, dining and then letting the music move them to the dance-floor.

Music:

The Cigar Bar & Grill is a leading San Francisco venue to hear live music. We are committed to providing mainstream & Latin Jazz from leading Bay Area Musicians. Don't miss out on a truly unique San Francisco music experience!

Live Music every Thursday at 9:30pm, and Friday & Saturday nights at 10pm

Offering the Bay Area’s best in Salsa, Cuban Son, Merengue, Samba, and Afro Cubano

Salsa Dancing, Latin Dancing encouraged!

Drinks:

The Cigar Bar & Grill features a comprehensive selection of premium rums, single malts, cognacs, wines and ports. The Mojito is a favorite specialty amongst the guests as is the house made Sangria. Try the Caipirihna made with Brazil’s Cachaca, fresh lime juice and sugar.

Food:

The Cigar Bar & Grill features tasty rustic foods prepared with care. Whether it's bar favorites like hot wings, calamari and fish tacos – to fine dinners like pistachio crusted king salmon or fork tender beef shortribs, The Cigar Bar provides delicious meals to please all palettes in the casual dining atmosphere.

Monday-Thursday from 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Friday from 5:00pm – 11:00pm

Saturday from 6:00pm – 11:00pm

Rumba Cafe at Cafe Cocomo this Thursday, San Francisco

Rumba Cafe Performing LIVE

Thursday October 2nd, 2008

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Cover: $10 before 10pm, $15 after 10pm

Salsa Lesson by Jake 8:00pm-9:00pm

DJ Fab Freddy at 9:00pm spinning the best of salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue, and bachata.

Rumba Cafe performing live at 10:00pm

Cafe Cocomo
650 Indiana Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-824-6910

Dance for a Change, Salsa For OBama Fundraiser at Jelly's

Salsa for Obama

All -Star Latin Salsa Band

Featuring John Calloway, Jesus Diaz and Louie Romero and many more Salsa and Rueda Dance Lesson, DJ Luis Medina.

Thursday, October 9th , 2008

Jelly's Havana Cafe

295 Terry Francois Blvd.

Pier 50, San Francisco CA

www.jellyscafe.com

www.barackobama.com

7pm – 1am
21 and over

$25 per person

%100 of the Proceeds go to the Obama campaign.

This is an exciting show that is bringing the Latin dance and music community together to BRING THE CHANGE WE NEED!!  %100 percent of the money raised will be donated to the Obama Campaign.  Si Se Puede!!

An All Star line up that includes: John Calloway – Flute, Jesus Diaz – Congas, Louie Romero- Timbales, Peter Cornell- Saxaphone, Sandy Cressman-Vocals, Ayla Davila-Bass, David Flores – Drums, Manny Martinez- Vocals, Peter Meridith- Piano, Javier Navarette- Percussion, Orlando Torriente- Vocals and many many more.

How to get involved:

www.barackomaba.com

www.voteforchange.com

RSVP's To:

salsa4obama@yahoo.com

s.g.dalton@gmail.com

LIVE salsa with Rumba Cafe, Cafe Cocomo San Francisco

Rumba Cafe Performing LIVE

Saturday, September 6th 2008

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Cover: $10 before 10pm,  $15 after 10pm

Salsa Lesson by Jake 8:00pm-9:00pm

DJ Fab Freddy at 9:00pm spinning the best of salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue, and bachata.

Rumba Cafe performing live at 10:00pm

Cafe Cocomo
650 Indiana Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-824-6910

Mazacote Live at Jelly's, San Francisco

Mazacote at Jelly's this Sunday

Admission $10.00

Opens for dancing at 4:00pm

Band starts at 5:30pm

About Mazacote:

Mazacote is the hard-swinging, old-school salsa group led by legendary percussionist Louie Romero, who came to fans’ attention as the longtime timbales player for famed salsero "El Cantante" Hector Lavoe. Louie is also renowned for his work with Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Ron Carter, and other salsa and jazz stars in his native New York.

Based in San Francisco, Mazacote plays a crowd-pleasing, high-energy mixture of classic salsa favorites and original latin jazz tunes. It’s no wonder that Latin Beat magazine called Mazacote "one of the premier salsa ensembles in Northern California."

Recently, the band released the album “Timbalero.” Its title track is a fresh take on Louie’s classic 1972 recording of the song with Hector Lavoe and Willie Colón. The album — filled with soulful and danceable salsa, cha-cha, latin jazz, Cuban guajira, and bomba — is receiving rave reviews from dancers, DJs, and music critics alike.

Top 5 Up and Coming Latin Bands

Top 5 Up and Coming Latin Bands

There are so many choices in music today. With cultures crossing more than ever, and the US being the ultimate melting pot that it is, it is no wonder that Latin music is hitting an all time high. It is not easy hitting the charts with Latin music though. Critics are tough and you have to be able to cross cultural boundaries now more than ever to be heard and kept. These top 5 latin music bands and artists have proven they have a sound worth hearing and rhythms guaranteed to lift you off your seat.

Spanish Harlem Orquestra

Since their arrival in 2000, Spanish Harlem Orquestra (SHO) has established itself at a standard bearer of comtemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger and producer Oscar Hernandez, the thirteen-member all-star ensemble has reintroduced the Classic sounds of New York City Salsa to music lovers worldwide. Their performances are filled with energy rhythmic fire and passion. Simply impossible to remain seated during one of their shows.

Son De Cali

Son De Cali, is regarded as one of the most promising and dynamic music groups on the music scene. Consisting of ex-Grupo Niche singers Javier Vazques and Willie Garcia.

Son De Cali delivers an explosive mix of tropical music rooted in traditional Colombian sounds.

Tiempo Libre:

Two-time Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre is one the hottest young Latin bands today. Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, the members of the Miami-based band are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba.

Tiempo Libre's members were all classically trained in Cuba's premiere conservatories at a time when it was illegal to listen to American songs on the radio. Now, the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son.

Charlie Cruz:

Charlie Cruz, who today divides his time between Puerto Rico and Tampa, grew up in the small town of Naguabo. His love of salsa began as a 10 year old, when he became a backup singer in the orchestra of his father, Fonzy Cruz. The more he was exposed to music, the more he loved it. As he gained stage experience and worked with established salsa hit makers, Cruz realized how much he truly loved the genre. His life changed drastically when he was invited to perform at a concert and share the stage with top acts like Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle and Tito Nieves. As a result of this performance, he was signed by Sir George Records. Under this label, he produced such hits as "Bombon de Azucar" and "Amarte es un problema." "Dejala que Baile," the first single off Mas de mi, features an upbeat, catchy flavor that will have every salsa fan swinging their hips on the dance floor.

Aventura (bachata)

Aventura is one of the most unique and innovative artists on the scene today. After more than ten years of sparring in the music business, these four young, dynamic guys with a seldom-seen chemistry continue to auto-produce soulful, original music that gleams with excellence. They are the first "Bachata-boy band," the first band to fuse the essence of bachata with R & B, hip hop and other American pop styles; the first Bachata band to perform in English, Spanish and "Spanglish." When Aventura performs its songs, Dominican/Caribbean culture fuses with the vivid tapestry of New York's dynamic melting pot.

Doug Beaver Y Su Conjunto Rovira at Yoshi's SF

Live at Yoshi's

Doug Beaver Y Su Conjunto Rovira

Monday July 14th at 8pm

Doug Beavers and his all-star Bay Area salsa outfit, Conjunto Rovira, has been invited to perform a special concert at Yoshi's, San Francisco, Monday July 14th, one show at 8pm. Doug Beavers takes his experience performing with Latin music pioneer Eddie Palieri to bring the NUyorican salsa sound to both longtime and new fans of the salsa and Latin Jazz tradition.

Recently earning a Grammy® award for his work on the Eddie Palmieri star-studded 2006 release Listen Here (feat. Michael Brecker, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, John Scofield), Doug Beavers Rovira has made a name in the international jazz and Latin music communities as being both a formidable trombonist and an award-winning arranger. The lessons he learned touring with Eddie Palmieri's La Perfecta II has enabled him to construct a raw, swinging variety of salsa that pays homage to the old legends while introducing modern harmonic and rhythmic twists to the music. Among the devices learned from these masters is the inclusion of an open-ended descarga (jam session) right in the middle of a tune, often driving up the intensity level and bringing audiences to a fever pitch.

"La Perfecta II was born from the chance opportunity of Doug Beavers' diligent effort to recover the music that had long since been retired. Mr. Beavers' brilliantly transcribed the original compositions of La Perfecta. For the efforts of Mr. Beavers, the new millennium finds me truly grateful." – Eddie Palmieri, liner notes from La Perfecta II.

Featuring: Doug Beavers Rovira, trombone/leader; John Calloway, flute; Mike Olmos, trumpet (Etta James and the Roots Band); Sean Zuniga, congas (Orq. La Verdad); Eric Rangel, timbales (Orq. America); Saul Sierra, bass (Orq. Vission Latina); Marco Diaz, piano (John Santos); with Carlos Rosario, vocals (Chino Nuñez, Orquesta La Verdad).

Yoshi's San Francisco, 1300 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. One show @ 8PM. $16. All ages. For tickets: 415.665.5600 or www.yoshis.com

New Swing Sextet Wednesday May 28, salsa dance Berkeley, SF salsa dancing

The New Swing Sextet Wednesday May 28th

live at the Shattuck Down Low

2284 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley CA Tel:(510)548-1159

salsa Dance Lessons 8:30-9:30 Doors 8pm, $10 cover / $5 students

About the New Swing Sextet:

A Product of of New York City and the excitement  and Turbulence of the sixties, the new swing Sextet made it's professional debut performing  in the singer bowl at the last New York worlds fair in 1965. The Band has been a popular and innovative exponent of latin Jazz, Salsa and pop music for nearly four decades

Composed of vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion, the original New Swing broke up in the late seventies after successfully recording, touring and doing all the hot club dates that the New York metropolitan area had to offer. In recent years most of the groups core members have reunited and have been performing with Mambo Negro the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, which performs regularly in and around the tri-state area. However, you can't buy or replace 40 years of history, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing. The New Swing offers an established and respected name with a sound from another era, which has been perfectly preserved and bottled for another generation to enjoy.

The band was part of a young crop (and new breed of aspiring Latin musicians) who grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan tri-state area with its rich ethnic mix and diverse inner-city culture, while at the same time growing up surrounded by the Latin music explosion happening in the region.

N'Klabe Live at Roccapulco, salsa music San Francisco, SF salsa bands

N'klabe Live Saturday May 24th at Roccapulco

Tickets $35.00

3140 Mission Street, 94110, San Francisco,CA

Salsa Lesson at 8:30pm

Check out this young group at Roccapulco.  They are burning up the hearts of young latin women everywhere with their smooth salsa beats. N'Klabe comes directly from Puerto Rico, but they are quickly on the rise here in the states.  Don't miss this performance.

Willy Tores & Marco Bermudez Cafe Cocomo, salsa dancing San Francisco, SF salsa dance

Cafe Cocomo is Proudly presents
Direct From New York
World Famous Grammy Award Winning Soneros
Willy Tores & Marco Bermudez
from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra!

Live at Café Cocomo

Saturday June 7th, 2008
Doors open at 7:30pm
a Salsa Dance Lesson with SalsaByJake at 8pm
DJ Ivette "La Coqui" Fuentes will be spinning your
favorite Salsa, Merengue, Bachata & Reggaeton
hits! Advance tickets are only $25 each

Salsa Sunday w/ Avance at Jelly's, salsa dancing San Francisco, SF salsa dance

Avance Live at Jelly's Havana Cafe

Sunday May 18th

4:30 pm-9:00pm

Cover $10.00 21 and over

(AAH-VAAN-CEH) v. Ahead of contemporary thought; the act or process of moving forward.

This is just one of many descriptions used to define this new 13-piece salsa ensemble people have come to know as Avance. Led by Carlos Santana percussionist/musical director Karl Perazzo and co-founder/vocalist Armando Cordoba, and featuring four electrifying bilingual singers, a sizzling horn section and one of the best rhythm sections on the West Coast, Avance delivers a new and unique sound that crosses language barriers and ignites the dance floor. Hailing from Central America, vocalists Luis Morales, Jeff Cordoba, Jimmy Flores and Armando Cordoba bring their own individual style, enriching each song with its own personality. Their rich vocals and exhilarating dance show leave all audiences wanting more! Avance's musical productions combine and fuse all different styles of salsa including Puerto Rican, Cuban and Colombian. Add R&B and pop to the mix, and you've got yourself a group with diversity and innovation, yet familiar to the ear and, more importantly, to the soul.

When you experience Avance you're guaranteed three things: sizzle, style and, most of all, swing!

Salsa Fridays El Palomar Restaurant, salsa dance Monterey, SF salsa dancing

Monterey Salsa brings the heat to Monterey Every friday nights with Slammin Salsa Fridays! It's the one and only night for the true salseros in the Monterey Bay. With world class DJ Willi, an occasional guest DJ and Live band twice or three times a month.

At El Palomar Restaurant. The place is huge, has a heated outdoor patio, cantina and wood floors. this party is for the 21 & over. the cover is $10.

Address: 724 Abrego Street, CA 93940 Monterey, CA Tel. 831-372-1032

Check out Orquestra Bahia at Albertos Friday 9th, salsa dancing Mountain View, Mountain View salsa dance

Orquesta Bahia will be performing for us live at Albertos Nightclub this Friday, May 9, 2008.

Come and Enjoy Live Salsa Music at Albertos Nightclub, and feel the energy of dancing to a live Salsa Band.

I will be teaching Salsa classes (8pm Beg. Salsa & 9pm Int. Salsa) & the band will start at 10pm.

Please bring your friends, and forward this e-mail to anyone and everyone you think might like good music!

Schedule:
8pm Beg. Salsa class
9pm Int. Salsa class
10pm Live Salsa Band

Albertos Night Club
736 W. Dana St.
Mountain View

Orquesta Saboricua Live Friday May 2nd at the El Palomar Restaurant. Salsa dancing Santa Cruz

That's right folks, Monterey Salsa is bringin' the heat to El Palomar Restaurant once again for Slammin' Salsa Fridays!
This time, one of the Bay Area's salsa sensations, ORQUESTA SABORICUA, will be Playing LIVE!
This 10 piece band plays some serious Salsa Gruesa (thick, hard, danceable), following the style developed in Puerto Rico and New York by salsa pioneers such as Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and Willie Colon.
Nothing like some good old school salsa that really gets to your core.
Plus DJ Willi, will be showing his skills with another one of his hot Salsa and Latin music mixes… It's on!
Doors open at 9 pm and the dancing starts at 10 pm.
$10 cover. 21 & over. Dress to impress.
Slammin' Salsa Fridays!, this and EVERY friday at El Palomar Restaurant; located at 724 Abrego St. in Monterey.
For more info contact Rob at 224.2427

This is a night you DON'T want to miss, so come work up a latin sweat…we'll see you on the dance floor!
P.S… Check out—>