“Songoro Cosongo” Part 2; First Versions and Hector Lavoe
The first versions of the song "Songoro Cosongo", and the one made popular by Hector Lavoe, evolved from a literary revolution as we saw in Part 1.
Here's the rest of the story.
First Versions of "Songoro Cosongo"
Nicolas Guillen liked…
Cuarteto Coculense, First Mariachi Recording
"The very first Mariachi recording" as identified in the cover of the Cuarteto Coculense 1907-1909 album, precedes the Mexican Revolution and is now at the US Library of Congress.
Mariachi Before the Revolution and the Disc
The Cuarteto…
Tito Rodriguez: “Inolvidable” After 50 Years
Tito Rodriguez was the ultimate Latin music entertainer of his time. Tito could sing equally well "guarachas" and "boleros", he could dance, and play the timbales and the vibes.
He had a unique charisma that won over Latino audiences…
Palmieri Wanted Andy for “Sun of Latin Music”
During the 2023 Mastercard Jazz Fest in Puerto Rico, Eddie Palmieri shared that he originally wanted Andy Montañez as the singer for his album "The Sun of Latin Music".
Palmieri's Story of "The Sun of Latin Music"
During one of the breaks…
Eguie Castrillo: The Mambo Kings Concert at Berklee
Master percussionist Eguie Castrillo will commemorate the centenaries of Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez with the concert "The Mambo Kings - 100 Years" on April 6 at Berklee College of Music. Special guests include Gilberto Santa Rosa and…
No Cowbells at Día Nacional de la Zalsa
When I saw this video explaining why you shouldn't play the cowbell in concerts, I immediately thought of those that do it at the Día Nacional de la Zalsa. He provides 5 reasons why not to do it.
5 Reasons Not to Play Cowbell at Concerts…
Giovanni Hidalgo: “Tribute to the King” Album Review
Giovanni Hidalgo released a classy and selectively different homage album to Tito Puente in "Tribute to the King".
Fulfilled Promise to Puente
Four years before Tito Puente's death, Giovanni asked and got permission from the timbales King…
Tito Nieves and the Teleprompter
In the recent "Premios lo Nuestro" homage to Victor Manuelle, Tito Nieves forgot the lyrics of the song he was performing on national TV due to a failed teleprompter. This triggered a debate on the use of teleprompters by singers.…
Giovanni Hidalgo Announces Tribute to Tito Puente
With the celebration of Tito Puente's centenary in 2023, Giovanni Hidalgo announced his "Tribute to the King". This tribute comes in two formats; a just-released album, and a concert event in Puerto Rico (for now).
Origin of Giovanni…
Humberto Ramírez Talks Puerto Rico Jazz Jam 2023
In our conversation with the maestro Humberto Ramírez about the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam 2023, we talked about the details of each of the musical presentations and what it takes to plan and carry out an event of this magnitud.
In this blog I…