Fuego – A Night of Salsa and Latin Jazz

Published July 19, 2024

Fuego – A Night of Salsa and Latin Jazz

Filer image element — Reno Jazz Orchestra

This weekend the Reno Jazz Orchestra (RJO) will present Fuego on July 20 in Reno’s Wingfield Park and again July 22 in the Warren Edward Trepp stage at Sand Harbor. My last blog I shared my love for Latin music and gave you background on the music and those that made it flourish in America. Today let me introduce to you the artists joining the 17-piece RJO and the material we will be performing.

Our featured guest artist is Edgardo Cambón who joined us for two previous Latin concerts. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Edgardo started his professional career at the ripe age of nine, singing Tangos on public television. He has performed and toured throughout South America, Europe, Africa, and since 1986 he is a much in demand musician in the U.S.A. An LP (Latin Percussion Co.) endorser, Mr. Cambón has performed or recorded with artists such as Jesús “Chucho” Valdés (Irakere,) Eddie Palmieri, Carlos Santana, José Luis “Changuito” Quintana, Orestes Vilató, Omar Sosa, Andy Narell, Sovosó (formerly Bobby Mc. Ferrin’s “Voicestra”) Mike Spiro, Karl Perazzo and Rebeca Mauleón. Edgardo has released four productions of acclaimed original Salsa-latin Jazz compositions. He was commissioned to compose the acclaimed song Omi Yeyé featured in the recording of Grammy Winners Pacific Mambo orchestra. As an educator, Edgardo presents workshops on Afro-Cuban percussion and vocals in many universities throughout the U.S.A, Europe, and South America. For 36 years, Edgardo has led the Bay Area’s Salsa/Latin Jazz Band “Edgardo & Candela” in which he doubles as Conga Drummer and Lead Vocalist. Joining Cambón on percussion are Aaron Routtenberg, Timbales, Congas, and Vocals; and Emilio Dávalos, Congas, Bongó, and Vocals.

When Cambón and I started putting this concert program together he suggested we invite Jessy Díaz to be our featured female vocalist. Based in Miami, Díaz is a highly motivated and energetic musician (vocalist, percussionist, musicologist, and teacher) with international exposure. Originally from Cuba, as a performer she focuses on Latin Jazz, cha-cha-cha, danzón, son, mambo, and bolero genres. Not only is she an excellent singer, she is also competent in playing a wide range of musical instruments. Before emigrating to the U.S., Díaz had the opportunity to perform with the Matanzas Symphonic Orchestra (Matanzas, Cuba) and the University of Arts Symphonic Orchestra (Havana, Cuba). A well-rounded music professional, in addition to performing live on stage, working on several studio recording projects, and being a dynamic and energetic teacher, she is also a sought-after Cuban and Afro-Cuban music lecturer.

Salsa is all about dance and appearing on stage with us are four dancers led by Giselle Soto Guilarte to dance on several featured pieces. Want to learn a bit of Latin dance before the concert? You are in luck as Andres Torres is hosting Dancing on the River July 20 4-10pm at the West Street Plaza, just across the river from Wingfield Park. Learn some steps and come back over to Wingfield Park to show off what you have learned!

I want to highlight some of the songs you will hear. We all know Guantanamera but did you know the translation is a “woman from Guantanamo” and is based on a Cuban poem first popularized in 1929? You probably have never heard Toro Mata (The Bull Kills) which is one of the most famous Afro-Peruvian songs. It is based on a Lando rhythm and is a type of Peruvian music initially developed by enslaved Black people in the Cañete and Chincha regions. You will hear two rhythm instruments unique to Peruvian music: the Cajon, which is a wooden box the player sits on to play, and the Quijada, which is the lower jawbone of a donkey!

Now let’s visit three iconic Latin jazz songs composed by the great Tito Puente. Ran Kan Kan translates to “tittle-tattle” or gossip. Released in 1948, it’s an infectious blend of Cuban rhythms, swing, and jazz. Recorded in 1958, Para Los Rumberos (for the Rumberos) is a tribute to the rumba that originated in Cuba in the 19^th century and remains a popular dance today. His Oye Como Va is a cha-cha recorded in 1962. Funny story, Puente’s audiences started requesting the Santana song Oye Como Va after Santana released it as a part of their first album. Puente was a bit put out that his audience didn’t realize he wrote it until... the royalty checks started coming in from the Santana recording. Also in the set are two original Cambón songs Yo Vivo Aqui (I Live Here) and Canta Para El Mund Entero (Sing for the Whole World).

Get these concerts on your calendar, get ready to feel the spirit of salsa and dance!

Chuck Reider is the the President of the Reno Jazz Orchestra

To learn more and purchase July 22 tickets visit Reno Jazz Orchestra:

renojazzorchestra.org

To learn more about Edgardo Cambon visit:

musicandela.com

and watch his video:

Amores Como Este - Edgardo Cambón (Official Video)

youtu.be/Jrw71HdbdDA?si=2Z7ZSz4sTS69EQYG

To learn more about Jessy Diaz visit

jessydiaz.com

Dancing on the River visit: