Rolling Afro-Latin Music 2024: Reggaeton, Dembow, Latin Pop, Salsa,Bachata, Bomba, Latin Jazz, Merengue, Urbano and more Latinx

They did a free Kennedy Center gig some years back billed by Kennedy Center as Hector Coco Barez and El Laberinto del Coco. On Thursday February 1 of this year they will be at the U of Maryland Clarice Smith Center near me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx3mXp61myU

x-post - that new Marc Anthony song Punts Cana is now #1 on Billboard Tropical chart. His 36th Tropical chart top song

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/marc-anthony-punta-cana-debuts-number-1-tropical-airplay-chart-1235594706/

Punta Cana

Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca is intensive care in a hospital in Peru. Apparently she’s also being mocked on twitter x by conservatives who don’t like her politics

Mon Laferte's 2024 North American tour has NY & Boston gigs , but then grrrr skips Washington DC and goes south

Listening to Orquesta Akokan, a retro Mambo & Cuban son group with NYC and Cuban members. I saw them on tour in DC back in 2018 (I think), and now they're touring the US again a bit in the spring. Daptone I think once put something of there's out, so yeah it's going for a throwback approach, but they do it well.

Chano Dominguez about to start.

Orquesta Akokan are so great

This is sounding great, despite the fact that I am downstairs since upstairs is sold out

“Someday, My Prince Will Come”!

And now special guest Mino Cinélu!

Introduced as the triangle player on Decoy.

Now he switched from triangle to cajón

Thanks for the Mon Laferte tip. Maybe I will try to go to the theater at MSG.

Just listened to the last album which I hadn’t been aware of and now watching some of the related videos.

And now some video of a song she did with Fito Páez that’s pretty good.

From several years back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JqyVoqavaU

Nice.

[googles Chano Dominguez and then I am reminded and remember --- Chano Domínguez is one of the most celebrated Spanish Latin jazz, post bop, and flamenco pianists of our time, having released over 20 albums as a bandleader, composer, and producer. Domínguez came to great international exposure in 2000 when he appeared performing his own composition, “Oye Como Viene,” in Spanish director Fernando Trueba’s Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz documentary, Calle 54, which also featured Elaine Elias, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and Tito Puente.

Lives in Brooklyn and has a Queens based label

Cool. Think he flew to Colombia to do some shows there, which is why there was no second set last night

looks like vocalist Jose “Pepito” Gomez is out of Orquesta Akokan . Jacob Plasse (tres) and Michael Eckroth (piano) who first formed group and brought Pepito Gomez on, are still there but Kiko Ruíz is now their vocalist.

Wait, Mike is in that group?

Ah you met him or know him, Michael or Mike of Orquesta Akokan. Their new singer Kiko Ruiz is Cuban. Was told that current bandmembers live in either NYC, Miami, or Havana now.

He moved to Florida where he has a teaching gig, can't remember what school. He used to live in my neighborhood though. And his in-laws still live nearby so when he is in town he stays with them. Last time I saw him he was at the coffee shop doing some grading. I've seen him play different gigs, thing I particularly like is his Arsenio Rodriguez tribute,

You know that both his sisters also play piano.

Oh, I see he is on a Fulbright now.

One sister anyway. She's played some pretty big gigs. Thought they had another sister too, but can't find mention.

Puerto Rican Dominican Jazz
Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra plays Puerto Rican Dominican jazz; at Sony Hall in the Times Square Theater District; on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 8pm. From $15.

Saw this on that Latin Things to do in NY email that I get , even though I don’t live up there

Just stumbled across a new Substack newsletter, Marco's Music Radar, covering Latin-American music (the writer's term) in English, from Colombia. I've subscribed — it could be interesting.

Thanks. Just subscribed to free version. His focus on post I looked at seems to be on indie/alternative rock .

To get that Latin Music in NY email I mentioned that lists salsa and latin jazz NY events, with a fair amount in the Bronx , go here -

https://www.newyorklatinculture.com/

Tonight in DC for free

"Fandango at the Wall" film 5 to 7 @ Library of Congress Pickford Theatre (Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra go to Veracruz, Mexico, to jam w/ “son jarocho" players

Arturo O’Farrill & his Afro-Latin Octet 8 to 10 @ Library of Congress Coolidge Aud

You gonna go?

Maybe to the show, but can’t get there early enough for the movie. Gonna try to stream that if available

I saw Arturo’s son play last week. One of these Sunday evenings I will get up to Birdland again.

And he was just playing now with this guy who seems really interesting, although I couldn't really stay too long: https://www.antoniolizanamusic.com/

I did go see Arturo O’Farrill & his Afro-Latin Octet 8 & it was a real good show. Started with some clave heavy dance numbers, then got jazzy, then did a Aster Piazolla tango song, and did a song that he described as whirling dervish music. Band had drummer, a percussionist on congas, another percussionist on cajon & congo; trumpet; sax & flute player; ... Arturo talked a lot in between. He first exclaimed his joy at being there all day and the Library folks showing him Mingus manuscripts and more , and he noted that this inspired him and was his America. The director of Fandango at the Wall was there and he brought him onstage (and the director played acoustic bass on one song) . He said he wasn't going to get into politics but he nonetheless talked a bit positively about immigration. He talked about Fandango @ the Wall and how every Labor Day that musicians get together on both sides of the Us wall w/ Mexico . He also expressed his love for Cubans. He talked about his non-profit that is building a community center in Harlem. He made some goofy Dad jokes. They're not really doing anything new new musically (no hints of reggaeton or Latin pop) but they do is classic and they have it down

Re my nitpicking of Latin jazz, I mean if Mackaya McCraven can play jazz and be influenced by Dilla and other hiphop folks, if some of those recent Shabaka Hutchings groups could also be influenced a bit by hiphop, where are the Latin Jazz groups that are utilizing hiphop and reggaeton. I haven't found 'em. So I enjoy the O'Farrill classic approach, but just would also like to hear some group trying something newer

Just saw an Instagram video clip story of bouncebeat go-go band TOB working on a track with akeyboardist adding salsa rhythmic accents! Yes, I like it.

Today's Google Doodle subject is Lola Beltrán it seems.

https://doodles.google/doodle/lola-beltrans-92nd-birthday/

Mexican ranchera singer and actor

Yes

Like many, I first heard her on an Almodóvar soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukzR6qrI6Xo

Which song title I often use to remember a subtle point of Spanish grammar.

Cool. Someday maybe I will learn Spanish.

The person who did this interview with Rauw Alejandro speaks Spanish and knows Puerto Rican slang.

https://crfashionbook.com/rauw-alejandro-interview/

As he begins to share more about the new album over a Zoom call, his cat—a fluffy, smoke-gray Maine Coon named Kemuri—starts meowing incessantly outside his door. Distracted, Alejandro walks over to let him in. “¡Meraaa!” he says, deploying a classic Puerto Rican exclamation. “Get inside,” he says lovingly in Spanish

I liked Alejandro's last album, but am wondering if I will like new one when it comes out (based on this quote)

It’s too early to tell what the direction of the new record will be, but he knows for a fact that it’ll be nothing like Saturno. He’s been listening to a lot of pop-punk and nu metal, of all things—Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Blink-182—although there’s been some jazz and classical music on rotation too. “I’m still cooking, developing a new persona—the whole look and feel,” he explains. “But I’m not someone who follows a formula. All my big hits are different musical styles,” he continues, citing the raunchy reggaeton heater “Lokera,” the synth pop sparkler “Todo de Ti,” and the kizomba-tinged “2/Catorce.”

I know a little bit of Spanish I should say. But not enough

https://pitchfork.com/news/new-book-switched-on-chronicles-latin-american-women-in-electronic-music/

Switched On book included Latin American women in electronic music

Wow

RIP Pete Rodriguez, born in 1932, a Puerto Rican American raised in the Bronx whose bugaloo piano playing on “I like it like that “ has inspired many

Andria Rose who's on the bill with La Lom sounds a bit like Kali Uchis , Latin pop-r&b

Am getting industry emails for Young Miko, hailed by The New York Times as one of the artists “shaping the sound of 2024, and going on tour

In the cover story of its Future Of Music issue, Rolling Stone said, “Funny, charming, and unapologetically raunchy, she’s the Puerto Rican star everyone wants to work with.” Young Miko was named Nuevo Artista Del Año (New Artist Of The Year) at the recent Latin American Music Awards while “Classy 101,” her collaboration with FEID, took honors for Canción Global Latina del Año (Global Latin Song of the Year) and Mejor Colaboración – Urbano (Best Collaboration – Urban). Earlier this year, Young Miko received the Impact Award at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards and was named Best New Artist (Latin Pop / Urban) at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

x-post - so down in McAllen, Texas we went to the final night of the 3 night MXlan fest with live music, Mexican Lucha Libre wrestlers, fire-using acrobats, fireworks, and indigenous folk-dancing pole climbers. Music included obscure to us (and based on small size of the Sunday crown at the outdoors stage to everyone) : Sunday May 5 – MXLAN Pepsi Stage artists include:

06:00 – 06:30 – Dani Tiscareno

06:45 – 07:15 – Andria Rose

07:30 – 08:15 – Desta French

08:45 – 10:00 – La Lom

10:15 – 11:00 – Alta Ralea

Saw a bit of San Antonio Latin pop-r&b balladeer Rose with band and liked her. London England's Desta French alternated between sining Spanish bachatas and Latin pop and r& b and talking and rapping in Brit-accented English. Los Angeles' La Lom may be hipster in their choice of chicha and cumbia and surf but I liked their originals and their covers of "Hey There Lonely Girl" and Smokey's ""ooh, Ooh , baby, baby " . We didn't see Alta Ralea. The crowd was 99% Spanish speaking

Puerto Rican Mother’s Day Salsa
La India sings salsa for Mother’s Day at Lehman Center in Jerome Park, The Bronx; on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 8pm. From $58. 🇵🇷

Puerto Rican Festival
Los Pleneros de la 21 celebrate the Puerto Rican Las Fiestas de Cruz, at Julia de Burgos Cultural Center in “El Barrio” East Harlem; on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7pm. 🇵🇷

was back at dayjob yesterday after vacation and then wimped out last night on going to see Lido Pimienta open for Chicano Batman. IG story videos I saw this morning of her looked impressive. I like her Latin pop w/ synths and more

She's Colombian but moved to Canada

She just did guest vocals on percussionist Mas Aya 's latest

https://www.stereogum.com/2262544/mas-aya-tu-y-yo-feat-lido-pimienta/music/

Pimienta opened for Chicano Batman in NYC too last night

Cool. Didn’t go but at interested

Am

I don't know if I'd exactly call it a movie, and there isn't a poster, but I want to show y'all an edit I've made (or will have made by then) of footage from our January Postmambo trip La Ruta de los Fundamentos, to sacred sites and events in western Cuba, focusing mostly on Yoruba and Kongo music in Matanzas, Jovellanos, Pedro Betancourt, Pinar del Río, Melena del Sur, and of course good old Havana.

Ned S ia showing this Thursday via zoom

Gonna miss Ned's Zoom movie thing tonight as I have something else happening

Meanwhile got an email in Espanol for an awards event I never heard of:

Conozca aquí el listado de nominados de los HEAT LATIN MUSIC AWARDS:

MEJOR ARTISTA MASCULINO

Feid

Bad Bunny

Peso Pluma

Carin León

Arcangel

J Balvin

Eladio Carrión

Chayanne

Carlos Rivera

MEJOR ARTISTA FEMENINO

Karol G

Shakira

Young Miko

Maria Becerra

Nicki Nicole

Anitta

Greeicy

Kany García

Kali Uchis

Kenia OS

Natti Natasha

More " Heat Latin Music Awards"

MEJOR GRUPO O BANDA

Morat

Eslabón Armado

Piso 21

Grupo Frontera

Los Ángeles Azules

Grupo Firme

RBD

Wisin & Yandel

Fuerza Regida

Reik

Monsieur Periné

Cultura Profética

Rawayana

MEJOR ARTISTA ROCK

Juanes

Morat

Molotov

Maná

Belanova

Jorge Drexler

Aterciopelados

Mar Rendón

MEJOR ARTISTA POP

Luis Fonsi

Greeicy

Sebastián Yatra

Manuel Turizo

Camilo

Carlos Rivera

Ana Mena

Aitana

Lasso

Maluma

Fonseca

Chris Lebron

Manuel Medrano

MEJOR ARTISTA URBANO

Feid

Karol G

Wisin

Ozuna

Young Miko

Blessd

Eladio Carrión

Duki

Anuel AA

Arcangel

J Balvin

Mora

Myke Towers

Rels B

Justin Quiles

Yandel

Nicky Jam

MEJOR ARTISTA TROPICAL

(Bachata, Merengue, Vallenato, Cumbia)

Romeo Santos

Carlos Vives

Silvestre Dangond

Prince Royce

Juan Luis Guerra

Grupo 5

Eddy Herrera

Felipe Peláez

Ke Personajes

Charlie Zaa

Olga Tañón

Jorge Celedón

Jandy Ventura

Servando y Florentino

MEJOR ARTISTA SALSA

Víctor Manuelle

Gilberto Santa Rosa

Willy García

Grupo Niche

Alvaro Rod

Christian Alicea

Yiyo Sarante

La India

MEJOR ARTISTA REGION SUR

Nicki Nicole

Ludmilla

Emilia

Anitta

Duki

KHEA

Cris Mj

Trueno

La Joaqui

Amy Gutiérrez

Cielo Torres

Tini

Milo J

Thiago PZK

Lit Killah

MEJOR ARTISTA REGIÓN ANDINA

Mike Bahía

Manuel Turizo

Camilo

Greeicy

Danny Ocean

Ovy On The Drums

Ryan Castro

Dayanara

Andreina Bravo

Elena Rose

Lasso

Farina

Jerry Di

Nacho

Fanny Lu

MEJOR ARTISTA REGION NORTE

Lenny Tavárez

Darell

Jay Wheeler

Young Miko

Lola Índigo

Rauw Alejandro

Quevedo

Eladio Carrion

Jhayco

St. Pedro

Kim Loaiza

Lunay

Álvaro Díaz

ARTISTA REVELACIÓN

Xavi

Kenia OS

Humbe

Joaquina

Saiko

Gabito Ballesteros

Junior H

Yng Lvcas

Elena Rose

Omar Courtz

Santa Fe Klan

Bad Gyal

A few more Heat Latin Music Award nominations-

CANCIÓN DEL AÑO

“Luna” -Feid, ATL Jacob

“La Diabla” - Xavi

“Que Chimba de Vida” - Karol G

“Mi Ex Tenía Razón” - Karol G

“Harley Quinn “- Fuerza Regida & Marshmello

“Lala” - Myke Towers

"La Víctima" - Xavi

“El Amor De Su Vida” - Grupo Frontera, Grupo Firme

PRODUCTOR DEL AÑO

Tainy

Ovy On The Drums

Big One

Master Chris

The RUDEBOYZ - Kevin y ChaN

Bizarrap

SOG

Sky Rompiendo

Icon Music - Jowan y Rolo

Sergio George

Andrés Castro

Edgar Barrera

ÁLBUM DEL AÑO

“Mañana será Bonito Bichota Season” - Karol G

“Ferxxocalipsis” - Feid

“Génesis” - Peso Pluma

“Colmillo de Leche” - Carin León

“Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” - Bad Bunny

“El Comienzo” - Grupo Frontera

“Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” - Shakira

“Orquídeas” - Kali Uchis

“Un Sueño Llamado Ranchera” - Felipe Peláez

dug this one from rels b and junior h
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKqIu-ZMZ8

the beat to "gata only" is a bit mesmerizing, my current lizardbrain obsession

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r687V8yqKY

X-post - like the reggae ish feel on some of that Rels B and Junior H cut.

Need to listen to “Gata Only “ again

Puerto Rican parade in NY this weekend

stumbled on this group by chance. wish i could find out more about them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy8AtVG_daI

i'm thinking maybe there is some crossover with this folkways release in terms of genre. another one of their videos they're playing a style or type of song called "torbellino"

https://folkways.si.edu/afro-hispanic-music-from-western-colombia-and-ecuador/african-american-music-latin-world/music/album/smithsonian

Will check it out. I am listening to WPFW DJ Jim Byers on the Latin flavor show play out of print 1949 Machito music now

Romeo Santos & Aventura farewell bachata music tour sells out arenas & is largely ignored by English language music media . Night 2 @ Capital One in DC was the other night. Back in 2007 as a freelancer for the Washington Post I pitched and then did a concert review of them. Washington Post runs less concert reviews now from freelancers alas.

x-post re Grupo Palmeras from Colombia. The government of Colombia's Ministry of the arts has a twitter x page and they shared photos and a video clip of the group back in April 2024

https://x.com/mincultura/status/1777798337053262059

Looks like there's a Facebook page also for a band of that name

cool!