Willie's Steak House: 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Machito and his orchestra with Polito Galindez and Graciela (1943)

Machito and his orchestra with Polito Galindez and Graciela (1943). Photograph courtesy of Joe Conzo Sr.

Mambo Rumba Festival Jam - 1950's.

Mambo Rumba Featival Jam 1950's
L-R: Pupi Campo,Miguelito Valdés, Mongo Santamaria, Mercedita Valdes, Willie Bobo.
The timbalero and cow bell musicians unknown.

Photograph courtesty of Joe Conzo Sr.

Willie's Steak House in 2013

Machito and his orchestra, with Garciela, Mario Bauza and Julio Andino on bass.

Machito and His Orchestra, 1940's.

Machito and his orchestra, 1940's, Photograph courtesy of Joe Conzo Sr.

Tito Puente y Machito

Tito Puente and Machito. Photograph courtesy of Joe Conzo Sr.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Tito Puente & Dave Valentin - Flauta Y Timbal

Tito Puente & Dave Valentin - Flauta y Timbal

Vida y Musica

Andy González, Frankie Vasquez, Nelson González, Richie Mely, Tony Rosa, Willie Martinez, Willie Rodriguez

Willie Santana y La Invacion Latina (1999)

La Inacion Latina (1999); Alberto Garcia, Bruno Cruz, Cheo Roig, Ruben Laracuente, Ruben Laracuente sr, Sammy Pizaro, Daisy Laracuente, Mel Rodriquez, Lucy Roman Silva and Victor Santos.

Manny Oquendo & Conjunto Libre

Andy González, Daniel Reagan, Frankie Vasquez, George Delgado, Jimmy Bosch, Leonard Pollara, Manny Oquendo, Papo Vasquez - Collectively Conjunto Libre.

Orlando Marin "The Last Mambo King"

Photograph by Jose Rivera.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Eddie Palmieri - Descarga Miami

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Monday, August 5, 2013

Chucho Valdés y Irakere La Vida Es Un Sueño

Armando "Son" Jimenez - Oro Que Brilla

Armando "Son" Jimenez - Traigo La Salsa

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Eugen Cicero - Dir gehört mein ganzes Leben

Orlando Marin - Se Quemo La Casa

Vitín Paz, John Walsh y Ray Vega

Desconocido, Vitín Paz, John Walsh y Ray Vega. Foto cortesía Kadid Aguilar

José Fajardo - Toca La Flauta José

Cuban Dream Band - Un Poquito De Tu Amor

Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango Quizás, Quizás, Quizás

Friday, August 2, 2013

Orquesta Afro Charanga - Voulez Vous Dancer

Teatro Puerto Rico

Teatro Puerto Rico, date unknown. Photograph courtesy of MaraLinda Resto.

Rey Reyes y Charlie Rodríguez - El Cachetero

Bobby Pérez con Tres Kaché - Esta Noche La Paso Contigo

Cheo Feliciano - El Ratón (versión en vivo desde Cuba)

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compania

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compania, photograph courtesy of MaraLinda Resto

Henry Fiol - Apriétala en el Rincón

Tito Puente & Ray Mantilla - Mambo Diablo

Cesar Concepción - Cuando Cantaba Cuba

Mongo Santamaria - Watermelon Man

Los Pleneros del 5to Olivo

L to R: Eddy Olivo, Marcelino Colón, Nidia, Gary Nuñez, José ( Changa ) Alberto, Pepe Olivo, Héctor ( Piñita ) Hernández, Ito Serrano, y Jimmy Báez. Foto cortesia de Herencia Plena.

Wilson "Chembo" Corniel" Steve Berrios, Eddie Palmieri

Wilson "Chembo" Corniel" Steve Berrios, Eddie Palmieri, photograph courtesy of Wilson "Chembo" Corneil

Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Cheo Feliciano, Bobby Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Santos Colon, Hector Lavoe

L to R: Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Cheo Feliiano, Bobby Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Santos Colon, Hector Lavoe, photograph courtesy of Milton Cardona.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Ray Martínez

Ray Martínez, photograph courtesy of Willie Martínez.

Rubén González - Melodiía del Rio

Agustín Lara - Amor De Mis Amores (Grand Piano)

Machito y Graciela - Changó Ta' Vení

Miguelito Valdés

Miguelito Valdés, foto cortesía de Pedro Oggie Garcia

Miguelito Valdés y Casino De La Playa - Cachita

Chano Pozo with Dizzy Gillespie and Orchestera 1947

Chano Pozo performing with Dizzy Gillespie and his orchestra in 1947. Photograph courtesy of Pedro Oggie Garca.

Luciano Pozo González, better known as Chano Pozo (January 7, 1915 in Havana - December 3, 1948 in New York City) was an Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist, singer, dancer and composer who played a major role in the founding of Latin jazz. Although he lived but 33 years, no discussion of Latin jazz is complete without mention of his name and no discussion of trumpet giant Dizzy Gillespie, the godfather of Latin jazz in the U.S., can begin without the name of Pozo, who was the first in a long line of Latin percussionists in Dizzy's various bands. Dizzy's dozens of Latin-flavored compositions, including the hit song "Manteca" and "Tin Tin Deo" (both co-written by Pozo), "Fiesta Mojo" and others - have Afro-Cuban drumming derived from the ritual rhythms of West Africa as their rhythmic backbones. Despite a short stint in Dizzy's band abbreviated by Chano's early death, Pozo's influence could be felt in Dizzy's playing and compositions for decades, which Dizzy acknowledged without hesitation.

Miguelito Valdés, born Miguel Ángel Eugenio Lázaro Zacarias Izquierdo Valdés Hernández (Havana, 6 September 1912 – Bogotá, 9 November 1978), also called Mr. Babalú, was a Cuban popular singer of high quality. His performances were characterized by a strong voice and a particular sense of cubanismo.

Source:Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chano Pozo y Miguelito Valdés Con La Orquesta De Mil Diez (1947)

Joe Quijano - Vuelvo A Vivir, Vuelvo A Cantar

Orquesta Carnaval

Orquesta Carnaval, photograph courtesy of David Lugo.

Eddie Palmieri - Mi Jeva

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Juan Pablo Torres - Four & Como Fué

Barry Rogers

Barry Rogers noted trombone player, photograph courtesy of Martin Cohen.

Symphony Sid

Popular DJ and radio host, Symphony Sid, photo courtesy of Martin Cohen.

Las Siete Potencias

Las Siete Potencias, foto cortesía de Tito González.

Joe Cuba

Joe Cuba y Su Sextet, foto cortesía de Francisco Martínez

Charlie Palmieri, Manny Oquendo, Mongo Santamaría y Vicentico Valdés

Charlie Palmieri, Manny Oquendo, Mongo Santamaría y Vicentico Valdés, foto cortesía Francisco Martínez.

Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera y Ismael Rivera Jr.

Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera y Ismael Rivera Jr, foto cortesía de Francisco Martínez

Eddie Palmieri

Eddie Palmieri, foto cortesía de Francisco Martínez.

Roberto Roena, Pedro Arroy, Cheo Feliciano y Bobby Valentín, foto cortesía de Francisco Martínez.

Don Perignon - Cascara Con Afinque

Rafael Cortijo y Su Combo, foto cortesía de Francisco Martínez.

Los Sabandeños - Somos

Mereceditas Valdés - Muriéndome de Risa

Roberto Ledesma - Se Me Olvido Tu Nombre

Tito Rodríguez - Se Te Olvida

Tito Rodríguez - Avisale A Mi Contrario

Machito - Yo Soy La Rumba

Machito - Ritmo Caliente

Machito - Soy Salsero

Monday, July 29, 2013

Roberto Roena, Pellin Rodríguez, Andy Montañez

Departed Salsa Legends

Cita Rodríguez

Cita Rodríguez, cantante de The Mambo Legends Orchestra. Adorada hija de Pete "El Conde Rodríguez. Foto cortesía de Liz Báez

Rafael Cortijo y Ismael Rivera

Rafael Cortijo y Ismael Rivera, orgullo de Puerto Rico y los amantes de la buena musíca. Foto cortesía de Liz Báez

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Orlando Marin - Live at Willie's Steak House

Gilberto Y Sus Sexteto - Ritmos Sandunga

Gilberto "El Pulpo" Colón Jr

Lady G - Dos Lagrimas

Friday, July 26, 2013

Tito Puente

Tito Puente, photograph courtesy of Chico Alvarez.

Ismael Rivera - El Incomprendido

It may be something having to do with the aging process or the evolution
of the music and the people that listen to it, but I cannot shake the belief
that the quality of the music was better years ago than it is today. Better
in terms of lyrics, arrangments and talent of the musicians. In a way you
have to feel sorry for this younger generation who, it appears to me, are
settling for music and music artists of such inferior quality.

Tito Puente - El Cayuco

For reason beyond me, whenever I start listening to Tito Puente's music
I always start the experience with El Cayuco.

Tito Puente - Hong Kong Mambo

Tito Puente - Varsity Drag Mambo

Tito Puente - Cuando Te Vea

Tito Puente - Saca Tu Mujer

Tito Puente - Mambo Gozón

Al Castellanos - Time On Your Hands

Benny Lugo - Ingrato Corazón

Eddie Maldonado - Bayu En La Blanes

Tito Rodriguez - Desert Dance

Jaie Timbalera

Monday, July 22, 2013

Libre, the band that defined what Salsa is. Original, creative, talented and always with a sense of rhythm and sound uniquely their own. They were the reason you wanted to go out and buy a special set of shoes just for dancing and fell in love with your partner all over again.

Manny Oquendo, David Valentin, Oscar Hernandez, Pupy Cantor, Herman Oliveras, Dan Regan, Jerry Gonzalez, Joe DeJesus, Robert Berrios, Andy Gonzalez.

Photograph courtesty of Pedro “Oggie” Garcia — with Andy Gonzalez, Pedro Oggie Garcia and Dave Valentin