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Music News from Havana
by Rafael Lam
Birthday for NG la Banda!
The 5th of April is an important day in Havana -- the 13th anniversary of the founding of NG la Banda, who started the Cuban salsa boom in November'89 with their "Tour of the the barrios of Havana," under the direction of bandleader José Luis Cortés, the king of the montunos and of the barrios.
For this thirteenth anniversary, they organized a series of shows that could make the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest birthday party ever, featuring seventeen of the greatest musicians the country has to offer, with some of the best bands in Cuba: Carlos Manuel y su Clan, Isaac Delgado, Paulo FG, Manolito Simonet, Cándido Fabré, Pedrito Calvo (ex-Los Van Van), rumba stars Yoruba Andabo, Aramís Galindo, Tamayito and Manolín, el Médico de la Salsa.
Critic Pedro de la Hoz wrote in his April 7th column in the newspaper Granma that all of Havana seemed to be there. His article centered on Manolín, who dedicated one of his songs to Miami-Havana relations.
The main event in the 10-hour concert was a competition in rhyme between Manolín and Paulo FG. The event was recorded by local and international reporters, who documented a memorable spectacle. As always happens (in rock too), the best Cuban music doesn't happen on discs - the wind carries it away.
Eliades Ochoa makes a recording with Santana and prepares for another with Paul Anka
The latest news is the participation of Carlos Santana with his guitar on the upcoming CD Aype ayé. Also on this recording is Los Lobos. In addition, Paul Anka (famous for his song "Diana") is planning to record with Eliades Ochoa in Los Angeles. Ochoa is slated to be honored at Havana's Cubadisco celebration in May.
Events celebrated during April:
1. The 12th Percuba Festival, with tributes to the late Pedro Izquierdo (Pello el Afrokán), the creator of Mozambique rhythm, as well as to José Luis Quintana (Changuito), who gave a special percussion concert with his friends, a group that Changuito declared constituted the Cuban School of Percussionists.
2. The Nicolás Guillén Colloquium, with several concerts and a special presentation at the UNEAC (National Union of Writers, Artists and Composers) by José Luis Cortés and NG la Banda featuring themes by Guillén, the Cuban national poet. It was a curious presentation, which featured the actress Edith Mazola giving a rap-style rendition of the poem "Responde tú." Cortés offered several other Guillén poems set to music, timba style, finishing with his own piece "Santa palabra," an intense piece representing the reiligion of santería. Intellectuals present, represented by Marta Rojas, spoke of José Luis Cortés as the most "genuine" Cuban musician of our time.
There is lots of enthusiasm brewing for the soon-to-be-celebrated Cubadisco, with scheduled appearances by artists and impresarios from around the world. We'll tell you about it next time . . .
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