Song:Vale Mas Un Guaguanco
Album:Un Gran Dia En El Barrio
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is a modern day attempt to continue the tradition of Puerto Rican music pioneered by guys like Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Eddie Palmieri. They are led by pianist Oscar Hernandez. He grew up in the South Bronx in New York City. He started out in the 70s as an arranger for Ray Barretto and then Ruben Blades. He also produced and arranged the music for the Paul Simon musical The Capeman. You may have heard Hernandez play piano on the soundtrack of the HBO series Sex and the City. In 2000 he was approached by Warner Music exec Aaron Levinson about forming a new band as a tribute to salsa music. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra was born. Un Gran Dia En El Barrio (A Great Day in the Neighborhood) was their 2002 debut CD on Atlantic Records. The album won the Grammy for Best Salsa Album. The lead singer on Vale Mas Un Guaguanco is Ray De La Paz. He also worked with Ray Barretto. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra just released a new CD Spanish Harlem Orchestra through ArtistShare with guest appearances by Chick Corea and Joe Lovano who have also appeared on some of their live shows. Fans of salsa music should check them out. Here's the Spanish Harlem Orchestra performing Vale Mas Un Guaguanco at the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival.
No comments:
Post a Comment