24528: FW: Minsky:(pub )3/23-NYC--Radio Soleil's Big Band plays at Satalla (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "tminsky@ix.netcom.com" <tminsky@ix.netcom.com>

By popular demand

Club Satalla Brings Back Charanga Soleil
A Multi-Cultural Big Band-March 23. 9:30pm
37 W. 26th   St. in Manhattan

Following historical migrations from Haiti to Cuba the type of big band
known as charanga has endured and continues to flourish since the 18th
century featuring violins and flute, the standard charanga also
includes piano, bass, conga, vocals and chorus.

Add to this an electric guitar, a 21-string West African kora, the
Haitian rara drum and a full drum set, and you've got the latest talent
on the scene: Charanga Soleil, an all-star musical ensemble going a
whole new route.

This mélange of instruments gives the band unique sounds and allows the
musicians to explore the diverse rhythms of three of the world's
greatest dance genres: Cuban salsa, Congolese rumba-soukous, and
Haitian konpa.

Charanga Soleil is the brainchild of long-time New York radio
personality Al Angeloro, who states: "It was inevitable that one band
would bring together all this music that shares the same roots." There
were other bands in Haiti that actually did in the 1940's--most notably
the Haitian big band Jazz des Jeunes.

  "It amazes me every time we rehearse," enthuses Al. "Twelve extremely
creative people in one room--almost all the musicians sing and the
choruses are different every time. Each time it comes out better!
Charanga Soleil is a bouillon racine in one band. The roots are mother
Africa."

Says vocalist Sheena, whose own roots are in Haitian Baptist gospel and
along with influences of R&B, "I've always sung with musicians of
different cultural backgrounds. In that way it's not that different.
Yet, it's such a melting pot, we're all learning from each other. When
it comes to the percussion, I'm always learning. We feed each other's
creativity." Sheena's background includes years of studio and
performance work with 10 konpa bands, including three years singing
with System Band.


The musical director is Yoham 'Chiqui' Ortiz, who grew up listening to
jazz and rock, as well as the music of his native Dominican Republic.
With a vast range of experience--from directing musical theatre to
scoring music for film and TV and playing with numerous
bands--including New York-based racine band Tjovi Ginen -'Chiqui'
organizes everything that has to do with the group's music.

"Everyone is a specialist, with little or no experience doing different
styles," 'Chiqui' explains. "I've played Haitian, Dominican, and
African. I'm like a musical translator. It's a challenge to get them
speak the same (musical) language. It's something to put them in the
same room and find the balance.  I know their capabilities and I try to
bring out the best."

He continues, "There is a great willingness on their part to share
their musical and cultural knowledge.  I'm having a ball. It's rare to
find an opportunity in New York to direct a musical group of such
diversity." About one third are African or Haitian, one third are
Latino, and the others have roots in Brooklyn, Denmark, and Egypt.

All seasoned master musicians and bandleaders in their own right, the
group's members are: Cathy Lopez (vocals); Sheena (vocals); Colette
Michaan (flute, vocals); Sergio Rivera (piano); M. Salieu Suso (kora,
vocals); Lewis Kahn (violin); Junior Rivera (tres, vocals); Zivanai
Masango (guitar, vocals); Yoham  "Chiqui" Ortiz (bass, vocals), Oscar
Debe (drums, percussion); Markus Schwartz  (Haitian percussion) and
Lino Fernandez (Cuban percussion).

Charanga Soleil takes its name from RADIO SOLEIL-the Haitian community
station located in the heart of the Haitian community in Brooklyn, NY
(http://radiosoleil.com) --
And reintroduces the long-abandoned concept of a radio station
represented by an orchestra or big band.   Al Angeloro, along with "DJ
Neva" Wartell, can be heard spinning world music over Radio Soleil's
airwaves every Friday night from 12 midnights to 5am.

As a pioneer of Haitian-American radio broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7
days a week in three languages (Kreyol, French, and English), Radio
Soleil transmits on an FM sub-signal from Brooklyn, NY to a listener
base of more than 600,000 Haitians across a five-state area, as well as
an ever-expanding international   internet audience.

Along with comprehensive news programs, the station remains a showcase
for Haitian and other world music.  It is only fitting that the primary
Haitian radio station should bring back the best in radio tradition by
associating itself with a charanga band; hence: Charanga Soleil!

(Satalla, Wednesday, March 23, 9:30pm. One show only. 37 W. 26th
between 6th Ave. and Broadway in Manhattan.  212-576-1155
http://www.satalla.com)

For more info on Charanga Soleil:
Neva E. Wartell - 201-459-6039, massmuzik@aol.com
Al Angeloro - 718-834-8847, alangelo2000@yahoo.com



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