Music showcase and dance benefit for 89.1 WFDU-FM - benefit events on behalf of radio station

On November 9, 2003, the New York metropolitan area's Latin musicians and aficionados came together to support non-commercial, public-sponsored radio station WFDU-FM 89.1, including my Saturday afternoon program, "¡Qué Viva La Música!" The 8th Annual Latin Music Showcase & Dance Benefit was all the more special because it marked my 20th year anniversary (1983-2003) of hosting and producing the program.

My deep appreciation goes out to every musician that donated valuable time, talent, and energy for the benefit. Sergio Rivera and the seasoned group of "veteran warriors" who comprise Grupo Caribe opened the show with their no-nonsense, "old school style" dance music. Dave Santiago & Latin Affair (which includes Ray Vega, Rick Faulkner and Chiemi Nakai) took it from there, with flutists Andrea Brachfeld jamming along with Dave Santiago, Jr., and Chembo Corniel sitting in on congas. Everyone enjoyed Latin Affair's blistering hot, extended rendition of the top-of-the hour theme they cleared for the radio program. There would be no rest for dancers. Thoughout the evening, which marked the debut of the WFDU-FM All-Star Orchestra, led by trombonist Demetrios Kastaris (leader of the Latin-Jazz Coalition), the crowd was wowed as they experienced a sizzling set that featured Connie Grossman, Chris Washburne, Nelson González, Eddy Zervigón, Angel Rodríguez, Justin Padró and 20-year old bandleader/bongocero Ryan Maldonado. Things heated up further when Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón, Jr. and his Ensalada de Pulpo ensemble--Ray Martínez, José "Juicy" Jusino, Lil' Johnny Rivero and Eddie Montalvo--took to the stage for 45 intense minutes with special guest Jimmy Bosch. Ray Barretto looked on as Ernie Acevedo's Conjunto Imagen rocked the house with their unique brand of unstoppab[e swing. Soundman Jaime Cruz and assistants Damian Pérez and Louis Oyola provided fabulous sound, and DJs Jeff Stennett and René Santiago kept folks burning up the dance floor between sets.

On hand to support the cause were Larry Harlow, Luis Mangual, Latin Beat Magazine and WKCR-FM's Louis Laffitte, WKCR-FM's German Santana, LP Music's Martin Cohen, dancers Howie Tumor and Evelyn Moro, Tiffany Wright and Jay Hudson, Manny Maldonado, DJ Ray Colón, Leonardo Rosen, Benny Vargas, Ernie Ensley Yoko Rodríguez, Gino's Cafe's Richard Sanz González and International Latin Music Hall of Fame president Joe Hernández.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank the sponsors who made the evening possible--Frank Caridi, Barbara Rodríguez and La Maganette's entire staff, Paul's Motors, Robert Sancho and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Tiffany Wright and TWXV Organizational Consulting, Inc., Jay Hudson and Basement Graphics, Martin Cohen, Steve Nigohosian, Cathy Herrera and the LP Music Group, Salvador F. Solá III, Jaime Cruz & Enterprise RA. Rental, Bruce Polin and Descarga, DJ Jeff, Felix Sustache, Jr., Luis Osorio, and Nelson Rodríguez (of Nelrod Productions and Latin Beat Magazine).

For their generous and loyal support, special thanks go to Vicente and Cristina Barreiro (Casa Latina), David Wasserman and Bobby Marín (Latin Cool Records), Victor Cruz (Gotham Per Diem), Carlos Pagán (El Regreso), Freddy Vélez and his men from the NYPD Hispanic Society, Joe Hernández, David Hinckley (NY Daily News), "Cuban Pete" Aguilar and Barbara Craddock, and Latin Beat's Robert Beruberg.

Muchas gracias to my wonderful, hardworking Viva La Musica Productions committee--Tommy & Suzette Bonafe, Gilberto Colón, Jr., Mildred Cortés, Jaime Cruz, Esther Díaz, Fred and Sari Goldstein, Demetrios Kastaris, Willie & Dianne Padró, Damian Pérez, Jaime Rodríguez, René Santiago, Salvador F. Solá, III, Ida Vega, Freddy Vélez, Tiffany Wright & Jay Hudson, plus special thanks to Gisela Barris, DJ Ray Colón and to my terrific listeners! ¡Qué viva la música!--Vicki Solá

COPYRIGHT 2004 Latin Beat Magazine
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