Produced by Paradiso Films; written, edited and directed by Paloma Suau; and funded by Banco Popular in 2001.
Filmed in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico North (aka El Bronx)
A beautiful mix of historic and contemporary footage paying homage to the Bomba and Plena.
Starring: Marc Anthony, Jose Feliciano, Danny Rivera, Ismael Rivera Jr, and more.
In Spanish, but even if you don’t have any Spanish you will learn a lot. As the great Bronx philosopher said: “You can observe a lot by just watching.”
If you don’t know this music, there is a hole in your American music education.
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Soy Salsero ** (Son Montuno)/7:00
(I Sing Salsa)
(Frank “Machito” Grillo)) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Jorge Millet)
PRODUCED BY HARVEY LAVERNE
Organ and Acoustical Piano Solo “Macho” / Charlie Palmieri
Piccolo Trumpet Solo “Macho” / Lew Soloff
Timbales Solo “Macho” / Nicky Marrero
Electric Piano “Macho” / Jorge Millet
Alto Sax Solo “Macho” / Bobby Porcelli
Electric Guitar “Macho” / Harry Vigiani
Bata Drums “Macho” / Julito Collazo, Angel “Cachete” Maldonado, Hector “Flaco” Hernandez
Trumpet Solo “Soy Salsero” / Victor Paz
Trombone Solo “Mi Ritmo Llego” / Barry Roger
Recording Studio / Plaza Sound
Recording Engineer / Rob Freeman
Overdub Engineer / Don Hunerberg
Mixed at / Blank Tapes
Mixed by / Harvey Averne
Mix Engineer / Bob Blank
Mastering / Jose Rodriguez
Photography and Album Design / Hal Wilson
1st Session *
Leader / Frank “Machito” Grillo
Director – Percussion / Mario Grillo
Vocals / Lalo Rodriguez
Conductor / Jorge Millet
Piano / Ray Coen
Trumpets / Paul Cohen, John Faddis, Tony Cofresi, Wyman Reed
Trombones / Barry Rogers, Leo Pineda
Alto Saxophone / Lennie Hambro
Tenor Saxophones / Mario Rivera, Jose Madera
Baritone Saxophone / Leslie Jonakins
Bass / Jose Santiago
Maracas / Ismael Quintana
Bongos / Tommy “Chuckie” Lopez
Conga / Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez
Timbales / Nicky Marrero
Coro / Machito, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Quintana, Chivirico Davila
2nd Session **
Leader / Vocals / Frank “Machito” Grillo
Director – Percussion / Mario Grillo
Conductor / Jorge Millet
Piano / Charlie Palmieri
Trumpets / Victor Paz, Lew Soloff, Tony Cofresi, Charlie Camilleri
Trombones / Barry Rogers, Sam Burtis
Alto Saxophone / Bobby Porcelli
Tenor Saxophones / Lou Orenstein, Mauricio Smith
Baritone Saxophone / Mario Rivera
Bass / Andy Gonzalez
Maracas / Ismael Quintana
Bongos / Tommy “Chuckie” Lopez
Conga / Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez
Timbales / Nicky Marrero
Coro / Lalo Rodriguez, Ismael Quintana, Victor Velazquez
Special thanks to Victor Paz, Jorge Millet, Mario Grillo, Doug Jones
Translation of “Macho” – First Movement
The singer is Machito.
Machito and the musicians, especially the bata drummers, are evoking the Orisha.
“ ‘Boru ‘buya,” a contraction of the Yorùbá-Cuban greeting “ìbo rú di (ì)’bo ye,” routinely bestowed upon high priests, or babalawo in Cuba. The phrase’s literal meaning is: “The sacrifice that is carried becomes the sacrifice that is suitable.” (Source: “Machito and His Afro-Cubans: Selected Transcriptions”)
“Ashe. Mucho ashe.” – Creative force. Much creative force.
“Suerte y salud para todos mis hermanos.” – Luck and health to all my brothers.
Elegua – Orisha of beginning, of crossroads, of doorways, of fate
Babalu Aye (San Lazaro) – Orisha of the healing spirit, protector of the weak and the ill
Yemaya – Orisha of the Ocean’s surface, of love, fertility and family
Shango – Orisha of thunder, drumming, dancing, fire and male virility
Oshun – Orisha of beauty and sexuality
Obatala – Sky Father and creator of Orishas and human beings, rules all
Great news!
You can now watch this video – and all Spanish language videos – with English subtitles. It’s free!
P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.
P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.
Beautiful footage from a wonderful time. Dave Valentin shines as host and leader of an impromptu flue summit.
Now out of business, La Maganette was a salsa magnet.
Here’s how New York Magazine described it:
Midtown’s kitschy old-Italian La Maganette (825 Third Avenue, at 50th Street) specializes in charanga, with performances by such vintage regulars as flute legend José Fajardo and New York’s seminal Orquesta Broadway.
Personnel:
Jose Fajardo
Larry Harlow
Nelson Gonzales
Eddie Servigon
Dave Valentin
Cachette
Jimmy Bosch
Aretmes Chocolate
Joe Santiago
Hermon Olivia
Pablo Rosari
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.
Se escucha el sonar de tambores
Anuncian la misa pa’l que tenga fe
Y en medio de la noche oscura
Avanzan los fieles con rumbo al bemb
Se oye el repique’l tamb
Ecos de un viejo cantar
Olofi, Lofi y Vilat
En medio e’la oscuridad
Y sigue vibrando la noche
Al compas bolero del coquioyamba
Los negros se agarran las manos
Repitiendo a coro
El viejo cantar
Se oye el repique del oyamba
Van cantando los niches de madruga
Oye mi canto abacua
Ay, a prisa negro que la misa va a empezar
Oye mi canto abacua
Yo por eso le canto porque yo se que el santo me pue’ayudar
Oye mi canto abacua
Le pedimos la libertad
Oye mi canto abacua
Campanas, campanas, campanas llamando estan
Oye mi canto abacua
Abasi vigila en la oscuridad.
Coro 2
Abasi es tambores abacua
Cantando de madruga
Abasi es tambores abacua
Se escucha el misterioso cantar
Abasi es tambores abacua
Son los niches que te vienen a rezar
Abasi es tambores abacua
Mis tambores abacua
Abasi es tambores abacua
Abasi
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Abacua
Este es mi canto abacua
Coro 1
Oye mi canto abacua
Ay, tambores de madruga
Oye mi canto abacua
Ayofi venme a ayudar
Oye mi canto abacua
Oye mi canto abacua
Oye mi canto abacua
Great news!
You can now watch this video – and all Spanish language videos – with English subtitles. It’s free!
P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.
