Rubén Blades to Take Part in the Hollywood Bowl’s 2020 ‘Jazz Plus’ Concert Series

Rubén Blades is jazz’edfor a special performance…

The 71-year-old Panamanian singer/songwriter will grace the stage during the Hollywood Bowl’s 2020 Jazz Plus concert series.

Ruben Blades

Blades, a nine-time Grammy winner, will perform with Chick Corea and the Spanish Heart Band and Cuba’s Los Van Van on Wednesday, July 29.

The concert is part of the LA Phil’s Pan-American Music Initiative.

Other acts set to take part in the concert series include Debbie HarryCharlie WilsonHiatus Kaiyote and Sheryl Crow.

The lineup is curated by the LA Phil’s creative chair for jazz Herbie Hancock—who will also headline one of the shows—the series will begin on July 29 and run through September 23.

Here’s the schedule:

July 29 — Chick Corea and the Spanish Heart Band featuring Rubén Blades; Los Van Van. This concert is part of the LA Phil’s Pan-American Music Initiative.
Aug. 5 — Miss Peggy Lee at 100. The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter will be saluted by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and special guest Debbie Harry.
Aug. 12 — Charlie Wilson
Aug. 19 — John Fogerty; Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Fogerty’s 50-Year Trip Show will include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1969 Woodstock set list as well as other fan favorites.
Aug. 26 — Dave Brubeck and Charlie Parker centennial celebrations. The Brubeck tribute will feature the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, David Benoit, Joey DeFrancecso, Bobby Millitello and Lizz Wright. Parker’s will be helmed by John Beasley + Magnus Lindgren featuring MONK’estra with Strings and special guests Tia Fuller, Donald Harrison, Charles McPherson and Chris Potter.
Sept. 9 — Hiatus Kaiyote; additional guest to be announced
Sept. 16 — Sheryl Crow; Lake Street Dive
Sept. 23 — Herbie Hancock; Jamie Cullum

The Late Ferrer Among the Cuban Artists Going Global Following Sony-EGREM Licensing Agreement

The late Ibrahim Ferrer’s music is going global…

Sony Music Entertainment and the Havana-based EGREM (Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales) have reached a global licensing agreement to release more than 20,000 recorded tracks by the likes of Ferrer, the Afro-Cuban singer, musician and former member of the Buena Vista Social Club who passed away in 2005, Irakere, Los Van Van, Bola de Nieve and Omara Portuondo, among many others.

Ibrahim Ferrer

Egrem’s catalog, the most extensive catalog of Cuban music in the world, encompasses audio and audiovisual recordings produced since the 1960s.

Although some portions of the catalog have been licensed before by various labels throughout the world, this is the first time a multinational label has access to the entire stock of recordings for the entire world as part of a multi-year agreement.

“We are delighted to be partnering with EGREM to share for the first time one of the largest and most acclaimed catalogs of Cuban music with fans across the globe,” Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris said in a statement. “This landmark agreement will help expand international awareness and appreciation of Cuban culture, Cuba’s rich musical heritage and its many wonderful artists.”

Although the deal between EGREM and Sony had been in the works for more than two years, it was only signed September 15 in Havana by Afo Verde, Sony’s chairman and CEO for Latin America, Spain and Portugal, and EGREM managing director Mario Angel Escalona Serrano. Edgar Berger, Sony’s chairman and CEO, International, was on hand for the signing, which took place at Areíto Studio 101, the historic Havana studio where legendary Cuban and international artists have recorded since the 1940s.

“We see these agreements as an opportunity for the joint management of our catalog over the coming years,” said Escalona Serrano.

“We are working on the release of this treasure of Cuban music so it will be available on all possible music and video platforms for music lovers to enjoy as soon as possible,” said Verde.

“Sony Music is honored to bring this iconic music — representing over five decades of Cuban culture — to all corners of the world,” said Berger. “We are thrilled to introduce these extremely talented artists to the global audience they so richly deserve.”

Cuba’s New Musical Revue “Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha” Primed for Export to the U.S.

It may be a homegrown musical revue, but Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha may soon be heading to the United States.

Previews of the Cuban musical revue started in in Havana on Tuesday night (January 27), the sold-out audience included potential show backers from the U.S.

Issac Delgado

Directed by Fela choreographer Maija Garcia, with music production overseen by Cuban salsa star Issac Delgado, the show’s chief choreographer is Santiago Alfonso, the founder of Cuba’s Contemporary Dance company. The show’s producer is Debbie Ohanian, who was a pioneer in presenting artists from the island in Miami in the ’90s.

The participation of Delgado (who performs on stage) and other well-known Cuban artists, including Bobby Carcasses and Haila Mompie, would be enough to ensure a long run for the musical in Havana. But Ohanian conceived the production for export.

As its title implies, Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha is styled as a revue showcasing music and culture. It’s in the vein of the recent Broadway homage to jazz After Midnight or the iconic Riverdance.

While Cuban music is evergreen, Ohanian’s timing for the show, which began production last year, couldn’t be better. Not only has curiosity about contemporary Cuba been peaked by the recent talks between President Barack Obama and Raul Castro, but the loosening of embargo regulations should make it easier and less costly to bring the dozens of Cuban musicians and dancers in the production to the United States.

Ohanian is the former owner of Miami Beach’s popular Starfish salsa club and a promoter who brought the Cuba’s popular dance band Los Van Van to Miami for the first time for an arena concert that was met with demonstrations by hundreds of Cuban exiles.

“I think the world is a better place when it listens to Cuban music,” Ohanian says in a promotional video sent to potential Broadway producers and other possible backers.

“Everyone loves Cuban music,” says Garcia, a Cuban-American. “Everyone loves Cuban dance. But what they know is maybe just a little picture [of Cuba]. And that picture is often frozen.”

Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha is set to wipe the standard nostalgic images of pre-revolutionary Cuba from theatergoers minds. The music and dance in the video tease retains the rawness and spontaneity found on the streets of today’s Cuba, enhanced by the seemingly spontaneous talent of a cast of sneaker-wearing professionals who have been trained for the stage since childhood.

“This is the most modern show that has ever come out of Cuba,” says choreographer Alonso. The Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha preview will be staged at Havana’s Mella Theater Jan. 28, 29 and 30.

“When people walk out of the theater they’re definitely going to leave dancing,” says Garcia.

Los Van Van Orchestra Launches New Album, “La Fantasia”

Cuba’s magical music train is back on the tracks…

The Los Van Van orchestra, popularly known as “Cuba’s magical music train,” has launched a new album to celebrate its 45th year.

Los Van Van

The album is dedicated to its founder, bass player Juan Formell, who led the musical group up until his death in May.

La Fantasia,” a number composed by Formell, provides the title for the album, which goes on sale in Cuba December 5 and abroad in 2015.

It’s the first recording undertaken by the new director of Los Van Van, Samuel Formell, Juan’ son.

The album was produced by the EGREM recording and editing company of Cuba, but the mix and mastering were done in the United States with high-tech equipment unavailable on the island.

Since its founding in 1969, the orchestra has recorded some 30 discs, one of which – Llego Van Van – won a 1999 Grammy Award.

On the island, Juan Formell is considered the architect of a revolution in popular dance music with his creation of the songo, a musical style based on the Cuban son, and is known as a great “musical storyteller” able to portray clearly and affectionately moments in the everyday life of Cubans.

In support of the album and the group’s anniversary, Los Van Van will launch a nationwide tour in Cuba.

Verónica Signs with BMG Chrysalis

She’s made a name for herself in Latin American and Europe… And, now Mayra Verónica is setting her sights on America.  

The 31-year-old Cuban-born, American-raised singer/model has signed an exclusive worldwide co-publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis to write and record music in English and Spanish language for the label.

Mayra Veronica

“We’re delighted to include Mayra in the BMG roster and look forward to working with her and her bilingual catalogue as we continue to grow in the Latin market,” said Laurent Hubert, President Creative and Marketing, BMG Chrysalis North America.
Verónica—who rose to fame as a model after appearing in FHM magazine—launched her solo recording career with an international Spanish album that landed her on the Latin Billboard Charts.

Later, her English singles “If You Wanna Fly” and “Freak Like Me” landed in the Top 5 on the Billboard charts.

Now Verónica is getting ready to release her next single “Party All The Time,” which was produced by Grammy-winning producers Play N Skillz as part of her debut English album Saint nor Sinner.

And she’s also working on another Spanish album, which is currently being recorded in Cuba and Berlin with the sons of the Buena Vista Social Club, Mayito Rivera, Los Van Van and other Latin all stars.