Its been a really raw winter in the Apple, but neither ice storms nor this year's famed brand of recurrent flu have dampened spirits or slowed down the city's brisk pace.
The Fall 1998 Arbitrons are out... In overall ratings, Spanish radio station WSKQ (97.9 FM) slipped from its previous first place 6.0 share, into third place, with a 5.2 showing. When it came to "morning drive," WSKQ's popular show hosted by Epi Colón and Luis Jiménez remained in second place with a 6.5 share, compared to first place formidable shock-jock Howard Stern (WXRK 92.3 FM) and his 8.5. Some experts are predicting that Spanish-language radio stations in the Apple will recapture first place.
In noncommercial radioland, that WKCR (89.9 FM) marathon crew has done it again --Carlos Rosario, Germán Santana, Louie Laffitte, and Ivo Tirado recently presented the Apple and surrounding vicinities with a noon-to-midnight birthday celebration honoring the late Tito Rodriguez, offering rare recordings and exclusive interviews.
I am deeply saddened to report not only the untimely death of a dear friend, but the loss of a brilliant force in the world of New York theatre. Playwright Louis A. Delgado passed away at the age of 55, on December 1, 1998. Venerated New York Post theatre critic Clive Barnes had praised Delgado's Obie Award-winning play El Cano, by writing, "Delgado's writing has zest, his story has immediacy, and the play is extremely well done." That play dealt with a young blond man's struggle to come to terms with his Puerto Rican heritage. Delgado, who grew up in the South Bronx, was a cofounder of P.R.I.D.E. (Puerto Rican International Drama Ensemble). In 1993, his play A Better Life won him the Roger L. Stevens Award, in recognition of his promise as a playwright. And, throughout the years, it seemed there was always a Delgado production being staged, or a Delgado story being read, somewhere in the Apple. In his writing and in his lifetime, Delgado devoted himself to fighting stereotyping, and was vehement in his belief that absolutely anyone was capable of changing for the better.
Nuyorican theatre and music remain firmly entrenched elements embedded within the cultural bedrock of the city. Delgado's close friend and collaborator, BRIO Award-winning playwright and poet Gloria Feliciano, has been directing 1997's "Nuyorican Grand Poetry Slam" winner Sarah Jones in Surface Transit: More Sketches of Ordinary People. The one-woman show, written and performed by Jones, tackles issues like racism and homophobia, and has enjoyed an extended run at the famed Nuyorican Poets Cafe. I look forward to more works, in the Delgado tradition, from Jones, and from Feliciano, who Delgado characterized as "the most motivated person" he ever worked with in theatre.
As for Nuyorican Poets Cafe, trombonist Chris Washburne and his band Syotis host Latin Jazz jam sessions there, Thursday nights, beginning at 10:30 p.m. Washburne's group includes John Walsh, Barry Olsen, Harvie Swartz, Vince Cherico, and Chembo Corneal. Many musicians, poets, and dancers seize this weekly opportunity to jam and participate.
The Salsa Museum of New York has opened (see Max Salazar's article in the February 1999 LB issue). The new and growing East Harlem cultural institution is home to memorabilia dating back to the '50s. Exhibits, according to Director Chino Melao's assistant, Joe Cuba, include Rafael Cortijo's timbal, a whole section dedicated to HĂ©ctor Lavoe, Joe Cuba's own congas, as well as his original Bang, Bang gold record, and his first band uniform, dating back to 1954. On display are photos of Machito, Cortijo, La Lupe, and Daniel Santos. Cuba commented to me that "a lot of our youth don't relate to the music, even though their parents play it and talk about it." The Salsa Museum of New York, open daily from noon to 8 PM, is located at 2127 Third Avenue, at 116th Street.
A little bird, perched on a nearby snowy branch, chirped to me that for the first time since 1965, Tito Puente and Orlando MarĂn, along with their respective orchestras, will be performing together. When I contacted Marin, he confirmed the veracity of my fine-feathered informant, adding that, indeed, this performance, which "promises to be a tremendous drum battle" is slated for Saturday, June 24, 1999 on the World Yacht Princess, which will sail around the island of Manhattan. The nautical percussion fest is the scheduled entertainment for the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund Dinner/Dance, which is celebrating its 19th anniversary. Meanwhile, MarĂn reports that he expects to record this year, and is seeking sponsors and a label.
Congratulations... "The Last of the A & R Men," Richard Marin, is marking his 45 years in the recording business... Charanga América just celebrated their 22nd anniversary at the Wild Palm in the Bronx, which was also the scene of a recent reunion featuring Tito Nieves in performance with Conjunto Clásico.
Cross cultural notes... Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of turning my microphones over to "Dr. & Mrs. Salsa", of Amsterdam, Holland. Dr. Ira Goldwasser and his wife and partner, Harriet Broekman, longtime devotees and broadcasters of Afro-Cuban music, currently host Mambo!, Friday evenings from 11 p.m. to midnight, on Netherlands Nationwide F radio, De Concertzender Nederland. Every second Friday of the month, they broadcast Dr. Salsa's Jazz Latino, from midnight to 8:30 a.m., on that same station. Many of today's hottest Cuban and Antillean groups just seem to stream through their living room, and play for the Dr. and Mrs. while they have dinner. Talk about living the good life!
Singer Carmen JimĂ©nez has returned from a successful tour of Japan, arranged for her by promoter Richie Bonilla, who I affectionately call "Mr. Orient Express." JimĂ©nez and her band played three sets a night, six nights a week, for nine weeks, at Cocoloco, a club located in the heart of Shinguku. JimĂ©nez is currently producing her third solo album, expected out this spring. I broadcast some particularly outrageous descargas from JimĂ©nez's live tapes from Japan, featuring vocalist/bongocero/flautist Randy Rojas, and the band's musical director, pianist Jesse RodrĂguez. My friend and colleague Max Salazar exclaimed that the broadcast of these tapes "really put Carmen JimĂ©nez on the map." During her trip, JimĂ©nez also received an award of recognition for her participation in benefits to aid victims of Hurricane George's.
Max Salazar was also wowed by Steve Pouchie and Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón, Jr., and their tribute to Cal Tjader at Willie's Steakhouse in the Bronx, remarking that "Tjader lived again" that night, and that Colón "belongs in the company of Charlie and Eddie Palmieri, and Chucho Valdés." Pouchie hosts Latin Jazz: Alive and Kicking, Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. on Manhattan's Channel 34... On the subject of "Pulpo," Colón is the musical director for Willie Moreno y Su Orquesta. Moreno, (of Los Hermanos Moreno fame), and his new band will have made their debut at Albert's, in Jersey City, by the time you read this.
Back in the studios... Luisito Rey and his Punto a Punto are recording their second CD, which is being produced by pianist/arranger Rene' Leyva. Leyva, a subject of a future column, is producing another release by Ernie Acevedo & Conjunto Imagen, due out soon, and has just co-produced Mauricio Manuel's Sueños (EMI Latin).
After doing Boston and Chicago, Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye will end up on the West Coast. They're slated to play San Francisco's 7th Note on March 26, in addition to the Coconut Grove in Santa Cruz, and also some L.A. gigs, at venues to be announced.
As always, Latin Jazz thrives in the Apple... Papo Vásquez is featured with Chico O'Farrill's Afro Cuban Jazz Band, Sunday evenings, at midtown's Birdland.
The Francisco Valdés, Jr., trio, Boricua Zone, is back at the Inwood Section's Bleu Evolution.
The Killian-Braham Latin Jazz Project, led by percussionist Lawrence Killian and pianist Dave Braham, featuring VĂctor Venegas and Nicky Marrero, has been making the rounds at Willie's Steakhouse, and in Jersey, at Macada's, and at Mile Square bar & Grille.
Rikki Ayala and his PR/NY jazzed it up con sabor at Club Bar Bat in Manhattan, and 200 Fifth, in Brooklyn. Their CD, PR/NY (Yendor records) is out.
Sonido Isleño has been presenting their own combination of traditional Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican music, all over the Apple-- Monday and Tuesday nights at Café Con Leche, Wednesday nights at La Belle Epoch, and regularly at Dharma on Orchard Street. Leader/guitarist Ben Lapidus tells me that their upcoming CD will display more of a Dominican flavor.
Percussionist Ray Turull's LJ 5 made its debut at Willie's Steakhouse, with invited guest trumpeter Mario Hernández.
For dancers, Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos have been burnin' it up at Bayamo's Tuesday nights...same location on Wednesday nights featured Mo' Guajira.
