Celebrating the diversity within contemporary Latin music, the 2007 Summer Nights at El Museo lineup features a range of sounds, alternating each week from traditional, much-loved salseros in the Musical Icons of El Barrio sponsored by Target to new favorite talents highlighted at the Budweiser Select Alternative Music Festival.
"The Summer Nights series is a great showcase for some of the world’s best Latin musical talent, and you can find it right here in my hometown-the world’s greatest city-New York City. I hope everyone, from die-hard Salsa fans to people just wanting to try something new, get a chance to come to El Museo this summer and experience the fun and excitement," says Willie Colón, who introduced Johnny Pacheco and the series during the opening night.
The concerts are held in El Museo’s historic theater, Teatro Heckscher, located at 1230 Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets, from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. The August 16th concert, however, will be held at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center at the Harlem Meer of Central Park located across from El Museo along Fifth Avenue and to the north at 110th Street, offered in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy.
Appealing to audiences of all ages and interests, the concert series showcases exciting performances of national and international new music styles emerging from traditional Latin forms. For the July 12th concert, El Museo teams up with the ever-popular Latin Alternative Music Conference held that week in venues across New York City to present a fun, funky performance by Circo.
Summer Nights at El Museo 2007 Line-Up
Musical Icons of El Barrio Sponsored by Target
June 21, 2007 Johnny Pacheco y Su Tumbao with Special Guest MC Willie Colón
For decades, Johnny Pacheco has been at the center of the Latin music universe. March 25, 1935 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Kick off the Summer Nights series with the music of this legendary bandleader, composer, arranger and producer. Nine Grammy nominations, ten gold records and numerous other awards pay tribute to this creative genius and one of the most influential figures in salsa. A collaborator with many different generations of artists, Pacheco was the leader of the Fania All-Stars, who pioneered an era that changed the face of tropical musical history. Salsa king Willie Colón makes a special appearance in presenting his friend and colleague Pacheco and will MC the concert through a collaboration with NYC & Company.
July 5, 2007 Tito Puente, Jr.
Carrying the torch for his legendary father “El Rey”, Tito Puente, Jr. brings Latin classics to a whole new generation. Sparks will fly this night as Puente — bandleader, percussionist and goodwill ambassador of Latin music — continues the musical legacy left by his father and performs his hits, sharing “timeless music…music that makes you dance.”
July 19, 2007 Plena Libre
This four time Grammy nominee Afro-Rican 13 member group is one of the hottest tropical bands today. Known for their high energy shows and native Puerto Rican folkloric rhythm, Plena Libre infuses plena and bomba with salsa and jazz. With their electrifying stage presentation and intricate choreography, Plena Libre is a favorite within el barrio and beyond.
August 2, 2007 Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Since their debut in 2000, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra has established itself as a standard of contemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger and producer, Oscar Hernandez, the 13 member ensemble has returned the classic sound of New York City salsa to the world. Drawing from our own East Harlem, this Grammy award-winning group is preserving the unique identity of the community that gave rise to Boogaloo, Latin Soul, and salsa.
August 16, 2007 Tribute to Hector Lavoe with Chino Nuñez & Friends
Join one of salsa’s hottest percussionists, Pablo “Chino” Nuñez for a very special tribute concert to Hector Lavoe. Lavoe’s recordings garnered him many awards and gold albums as he combined his unique jíbara salsa and his love of his native Puerto Rico. Nuñez, after years of arranging, producing and performing with the Grammy award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, released his own debut album, It’s SHOtime.
Budweiser Select Alternative Music Festival
June 28, 2007 Women Who Rock: Pistolera and Julissa
Summer Nights presents a lyrical combo; Pistolera and Julissa. Pistolera is an NYC-based band that defines the Latin pop-folkloric genre. Fusing traditional style of Mexican music and a pop-rock sensibility, this quartet teams up with Julissa, a Latin rock band led by their vocalist, songwriter and co-founder Julissa Gomez, who have had numerous successes starting with their victory in the 2002 Battle of the Bands held by Latino-Mix 105.9FM’s (now LaKalle) "Talento Local.”
July 12, 2007 Circo
As an official event of the Latin Alternative Music Conference, Circo performs at El Museo offering up their Puerto Rican rock sounds. This Grammy-nominated group, known for among others their first album, No Todo Lo Que Es Pop Es Bueno, has been compared to The Cure and Morrissey and mixes pop/rock/new wave with traditional Latin rhythms.
July 26, 2007 Cultura Profética
Cultura Profética mixes up a smooth sound rooted in reggae with touches of salsa, bomba, ska, jazz, funk, hip hop and other Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Hailing from Puerto Rico, this group of six was the only invited band performing in Spanish at the prestigious Bob Marley Festival in California in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and they have worked in Jamaica with Errol Brown, Bob Marley’s legendary producer.
August 9, 2007 Latin Funk Night with Pacha Massive and Folklore Urbano
Pacha Massive (from “Pachamama” meaning “Mother Earth”), is the creative collaboration between Dominican-born Nova (keys/guitar/writer/producer) and Colombian-born Maya (writer/bass). This Bronx-based duo, recently selected by MTV Tr3s to be its very first ‘Discover & Download’ artist, will perform their funky fusion of traditional Latin rhythms like Colombian cumbia, Dominican palo, reggae, dancehall, dub and electronica, joined by Folklore Urbano, a jazz-based, wildly fun 12 piece ensemble that harnesses the danceable swing of traditional Colombian rhythms led by composer and vocalist Pablo Mayor.
August 23, 2007 Los Amigos Invisibles
Back by popular demand, this hot Venezuelan fusion band returns to El Museo for a third season performance to close out this year’s Summer Nights series. Internationally adored for their infectious dance beats, Los Amigos mix salsa with rock, pop and house to produce their very own brand of lively retro-techno sound.
Teatro Heckscher of El Museo del Barrio is located at 1230 Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets, for information please call 212-831-7272 or visit www.elmuseo.org.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
