http://aguzate.org/rss en-us info@aguzate.org Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:11:16 -0500 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:14:35 -0500 http://aguzate.org info@aguzate.org Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:22:39 -0500 http://aguzate.org This is part 1 of an exclusive interview with DJ, producer and musician Will Holland A.K.A. "Quantic". Quantic will play a DJ set at Rumba (351 W. Hubbard) on September 9th, 2010.

In this 3-minute piece, Quantic tells us how he became interested in music and his process for discovering Cumbia and other Latin treasures. The interview was taped on April 30th, the day after Quantic's successful 1st DJ set at Chicago's Zócalo. This video was produced by Agúzate in collaboration with Sound Culture and filmed at Las Tablas.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:35:13 -0500 http://aguzate.org This was the official closing concert of the 1st Annual Colombian Music Festival in Chicago w/ Bomba Estereo direct from Colombia @ Green Dolphin.
Bomba Estereo have literally blown up around the world since putting out their second album, 'Blow Up'.
Their infectious fusion of raw Afro-Colombian percussion and classic Cumbia with Electronic music and Reggae is critically acclaimed on every continent. It is absolutely irresistable dance music highligthing the best of the past and the future.

]]> info@aguzate.org Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:31:51 -0500 http://aguzate.org This clip presents a piece of the July 9, 2010 concert at Chicago's Logan Square Auditorium. Bandleader Juan de Marcos González is one of the most important figures in Cuban music today. He has a mission to show the world the wealth, diversity and vitality of Cuban music. His work with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Buena Vista Social Club, Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Sierra Maestra and others has made an extraordinary contribution to raising the profile of Cuban music throughout the world. However, neither his name nor his crucial contribution is well known to the general public and he remains something of an unsung hero of Cuban music.

The music of the Afro-Cuban All-Stars is a mix of all the styles of Cuban music, including bolero, chachachá, salsa, son montuno, timba, guajira, danzón, rumba and abakua. They are known internationally for their 1997 album A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, which was recorded at the Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Members have included Rubén González, Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Ibrahim Ferrer, Raul Planas, Pío Leyva, Manuel "Puntillita" Licea, Yanko Pisaco and more recently Caridad Hierrezuelo and Pedro Calvo.

]]> info@aguzate.org Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:31:51 -0500 http://aguzate.org On February 26, 2010, Segundo Ruiz Belvis cultural Center in collaboration with Agúzate Productions and IPRAC presented a Plena Colloquium. This unique event included a panel of distinguished scholars and plena practitioners who engages in a discussion around the origins, sociology and musical characteristics of this Afro-Puerto Rican tradition. Participants included Dr. Emanuel Dufrasne, Ramón López, jorge Emmannueli and Víctor Emmannueli.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org The Old Town School of Folk Music and Agúzate Productions partenered once again to bring you the 6th Annual Tribute to the Improvisational SInger. This event is a celebration of the improviser (or "sonero") in traditional Salsa. Frankie Vázquez is one of the greatest proponents of the sonero tradition whose credits include Manny Oquendo's Conjuto Libre, The Spanish Harlem Orquestra and Jimmy Bosch. Frankie currently fronts his own orchestra, Los Soneros Del Barrio, while still recording and performing with other top acts in the industry. He was accompanied by an all-star lineup of Chicago's top salsa musicians, under the direction of Edwin Sanchez, including Papo Santiago, Franklin Paz, Juan Picorelli, Danny Feliciano and Víctor García.

The tradition of the improvisational singer, or sonero, has suffered the tragic loss of some of its greatest exponents. Legendary improvisers, such as Ismael Rivera, Hector Lavoe, Frankie Ruiz, Chamaco Ramírez, and Marvin Santiago left their legacies for us to enjoy and study. Other practitioners of this art were displaced by the good-looking, untalented singer virus which infected record companies looking to make a profit over producing art during the 90s and the beginning of the 21st century. In recent years there has been a revival of artistic salsa, and has arrived with it the increasing recognition of the sonero as an integral part of salsa music. Frankie Vázquez is an important link between the original innovators of the tradition and the next generation of salsa soneros. Although Vázquez may still be one of the best kept secrets to the general public, those who know the music are well aware of his talent, pedigree, and accomplishments.

Born on Three Kings Day (January 6), 1958 in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Efrain Frankie Vázquez exhibited early on a gift for percussion. He formed his own band at age 16, and when his singer became unreliable, he found himself forced to sing. It turned out he had even more talent as a singer. In 1977 he moves to New York City, where he begins to establish himself Latin music scene. He began as a member of Fuego 77, then continued honing his craft in other groups, such as Sonido Taiborí, Orquesta Calidad, Orquesta Metropolitana, and Charanson. As his experience grew, he became sought after by many of the top salsa acts in the East Coast. He has worked extensively with Manny Oquendos Libre, Lebron Brothers, Wayne Gorbeas Conjunto Salsa, The New Swing Sextet, and Javier Vásquez y la Sonora. In addition, he has shared his talents with other son and salsa luminaries, including La Sonora Matancera, Joe Cuba, Moncho Leña, Henry Fiol, and Jimmy Delgado among others.

In recent years, Vázquez has become one of the torchbearers for the sonero tradition, taking part in some of the most important salsa projects in the new millennium. He participated in all three of Jimmy Boschs albums, recorded on the first Spanish Harlem Orchestra outing, Ricky Gonzalezs and George Delgados solo incursions, and all three productions of Los Soneros del Barrio. This last one has become his main group, and is currently blazing a path through cynics who contend the salsa movement is on its last breath. Their three albums to date clearly demonstrate Vázquez's link to the tradition. He has studied all the styles and intricacies of those who came before him, and demonstrates it in his renditions of classic and challenging selections immortalized by the likes of Rivera, Lavoe, Santiago, Ramírez, Néstor Sánchez, Angel Canales, Adalberto Santiago, and others. Frankie Vázquez is a true ambassador of the art of improvisational singing.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Miguel Zenón was not afraid to bring plena to the jazz stage like no one has done it before. Enjoy this short clip of his opening show at the Jazz Showcase where he promoted his new album "Esta plena" with Puerto Rican plena icon Tito Matos.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org A pure, compelling and original voice hailed by the LA Times as an "instrument of wonder", Chilean singer/songwriter/arranger CLAUDIA ACUÑA draws upon the culture of her homeland by fusing Latin rhythms with her instinctive jazz sensibilities. Singing mostly in her mother tongue, Acuña makes it clear that music crosses all barriers - particularly when sung with her distinctive brand of authentic emotion.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Here's a short clip of Bajofondo live at Park West, Chicago, IL. The concert took place on September 27, 2009. Presented by Jam Productions. Agúzate was a media sponsor for this event. Enjoy!

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Grammy-nominated Los Amigos Invisibles have had huge success in their recent tour to promote their new album "Comercial". This video shows a glimpse of their Chicago concert at the Logan Square Auditorium on September 18, 2009. Their hit "Mentiras" was one of the highlights of the evening. The concert was produced by Ratio Nation, Arte y Vida Chicago and Sound Culture. Agúzate TV was there to capture the moment.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Produced by Omar Torres-Kortright and created by Sandeep Sharma, this short film gives us a glimpse of Bajofondo through the eyes of co-founder Gustavo Santaolalla. In his own words Bajofondo creates "music from el Río de la Plata", incorporating Tango, Rock, Hip-Hop and electronic elements. The film includes an interview with Santaolalla conducted by Catalina María Johnson, as well as never-before-seen footage of their April 1, 2009 concert at the House of Blues. Get ready for their upcoming concert at Park West next Sunday, September 27, 2009. Tickets available at www.jamusa.com

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate Productions put together a program of music from the streets of Latin America, including Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena (video to come), Cuban Rumba, and Brazilian Samba at the 2009 Viva Chicago Festival. This raw video offers a glimpse of the Brazilian Carnival with Marcos Oliveira and Swing Brasileiro.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Trombon solo by one of the best musicians in today's salsa scene. Concert presented at rumba by Ratio Nation, Arte y Vida Chicago and Sound Culture. WWW.AGUZATE.ORG

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org On Sunday, August 30th,2009 a group of Chicago's most enthusiastic salseros came to to Grant Park to dance to the sounds of the classics at Viva Chicago. El Caobo and Agúzate DJ Crew felt the energy of the crowd and gave them exactly what they wanted... Salsa Dura!

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Aguzate TV had a chance to talk to Ramon Perez Prieto and Grimaldo Del Solar just minutes before their Chicago debut in Millennium Park. This 5-minute video contains the interview as well as footage from the July 23 (2009) concert.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate TV went to the June 10th edition of Café Vida to hang out with David Chávez (Sound Culture) and the guys from Fandanguero. Wicker Well (1637 N. Avenue) is quickly becoming one of the places to be for live world music in Chicago. This free weekly event is presented by Sound Culture and Q4.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org In this video, Frankie Vázquez, probably one of the best salsa singers in the world today, plays with Edwin Sánchez's Orchestra in his recent visit to Chicago. This group of seasoned musicians from the Windy City includes Papo Santiago (coro and flute), Juan Picorelli (timbales), Danny Feliciano (congas), Joe Frau (bongo), and Víctor García (trumpet) among others. The clip includes a percussion descarga by Picorelli and Feliciano. This video was recorded at Mambo Café, Chicago, IL, on May 2nd, 2009.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Jorge Emmanuelli Náter, one of the most recognized Bomba practitioners in Chicago's music scene debuted last March 19th with his new group at Tumbao (3213 W. Armitage) in Chicago. This video was filmed the day prior to the Tribute to Women Bomba Dancers organized by The Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. Don't miss dance sequences by Marilyn Delgado, Marién Torres and members of Nandí.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org El Payo is the only Rumba/Nuevo Flamenco group of its class in Chicago. Its members come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, hailing from countries such as Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia. Their distinct sound is influenced by a rich combination of rumbas, traditional and modern flamenco, as well as a repertoire of classic Latin American songs done with a different flare. El Payo offers something for all the senses. Their dynamic, soulful sound keeps your ears at full attention while your eyes focus on the intense flamenco dance performances.

The group opened the prestigious 2005 and 2006 USA Flamenco Festival in Chicago. It has also appeared on ABC’s Chicagoing with Bill Campell. El Payo is led by singer David González, flamenco guitarists David Chiriboga and Alberto Alvarez, percussionist/drummer Raúl Fernández, and dancer/percussionist Edwin Suárez.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Gabriel Alegria is Peru's paramount jazz artist with several groundbreaking recordings that have firmly established this unique Afro-Peruvian jazz genre. Gabriel is currently the Associate Director of Jazz Studies at New York University and holds a doctorate degree in Jazz studies from the University of Southern California. In all of Gabriel's music, the rich legacy of the black music of coastal Peru can be heard in the context of contemporary jazz expression. The band is an all-star cast of Afro-Peruvian and Jazz artists that have helped define this unique genre.

Enjoy this exclusive clip of Gabriel Alegría's February 11th performance at the weekly World Music Concert Series at Old Town School of Folk Music. Agúzate TV had a chance to talk to the artists and record a little piece of Afro-Latin music history.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org In this video, Elías Carmona captures the way in which Puerto Ricans say goodbye to their "rumberos". This montage of images from Tommy's burrial (September 22, 2006) reminds us of the street processions that took place in honor of all the great salsa musicians in history, including Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz and Ismael Rivera. "El Entierro de Cortijo", a great example of this sociological phenomenon, was written by Edgardo Rodríguez Juliá in 1982 and tells the story of an almost infiltrated observer recounting Rafael Cortijo's burrial. Following this tradition, Carmona shares with us the images of "Despedida de Pueblo"... "A Farewell from the People".

Enjoy this unique video to the sound of "El Negro Chombo", interpreted by Paquito Guzmán, one of Olivencia's long time favorite soneros.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Now in its third year of existence, Naborí is the brain child of its founding members Wichy Ayala, Robert Figueroa and Tony Ayala. All songs performed by Naborí are composed and arranged by local musicians or in partnership with fresh Midwestern talent.

Naborí performed at Chicago's newest live music venue "Tumbao" where they kept the dancers moving all night long to sounds of their unique salsa brava style. Agúzate TV was there. Enjoy this short clip of what happened that night.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org The Old Town School of Folk Music and Agúzate Productions partnered once again to bring you the 5th Annual Tribute to the Improvisational Singer. This event is a celebration of the improviser or "sonero" in traditional Salsa. Puerto Rican sonera Choco Orta is a highly accomplished singer, percussionist, actor and dancer. As a sonera, she is considered the natural successor to Celia Cruz with a long career performing and recording with the most renowned salsa producers and orchestras. Choco Orta performed with Chicago’s best salsa musicians under the direction of Papo Santiago. Enjoy a short clip of that night!

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate TV had the pleasure of spending time with the members of Viento de Agua during the weekend of August 30th, 2008 in Chicago. They came to Las Tablas the night before their performance at the Fiesta Boricua in Humboldt Park. Here is a clip of what happened that night.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Luisito Carrión, Papo Santiago and Franklin Paz join forces in the 4th Annual Tribute to the Improvisational Singer. This short clip shows all three singers improvising to the classic "Sonero", a song made famous by the legendary duo of Pete "el Conde" Rodríguez and Johnny Pacheco.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate celebrated it's 3rd Annual Tribute to the Improvisational Singer with a night dedicated to José "Papo" Santiago, Richard Martínez, and Franklin Paz. The event took place in April 2006 at Hothouse, one of the most prestigious international music venues in Chicago.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate TV interviewed producer Amir George about his film project "Between Western and California". After successful screenings in the community, the cast and crew want to take this project to the next level.

Launch Related Site

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate TV recorded a spectacular event that honored the memory and life-long work of the Garifuna people's greatest cultural ambassador, Andy Palacio who passed away suddenly on January 19, 2008. This tour, organized to celebrate the recent worldwide recognition of Garifuna's greatest traditional musicians through the recordings "Watina" and "Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project", continues in Andy's honor and features top Garifuna artists from these recordings plus notable additions. The Garifuna are a people residing in Central America, descended from shipwrecked African slaves and Carib and Arawak Indians, who have retained their ancestral language and traditions in the face of overwhelming odds. Old Town School of Folk Music is proud to offer this special concert presenting the endangered arts of this unique culture.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500 http://aguzate.org Agúzate TV went to the weekly Salsa Nights at The Alhambra Palace and filmed Angel Meléndez on stage as he played the classics of "El Cantante", Hector Lavoe.

]]> info@aguzate.org Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:25:36 -0500