vanvanintoronto.com

LOS VAN VAN in Toronto NOVEMBER 27/2010

 

How quickly has time flown by. Four years have passed since Los Van Van were here in Toronto ! Since then the CD Arransado has been released, Los Van Van have been able to play in Miami for the first time in over a decade ...they were invited to perform at the Montreal Jazz Fest 2009 closing party ...they celebrated their 40th anniversary last year and they continue touring all over the world. Los Van Van also won another Cubadisco award for their new album Arrasancdo this May 2010

OKOKAN is presenting the next Toronto JUAN FORMELL Y LOS VAN VAN show on Saturday November 27th 2010 at the SOUND ACADEMY  11 Polson street Toronto Ontario .

Tickets  will be on sale online  www.ticketmaster.ca (earlybird regulars and VIP pricing in effect until Oct 10 - Ticketmaster has reduced their convenience charges )

at www.torontohispano.com  $40 advance  ( earlybird $35 until Oct 10 2010)

As well, IYA IRE, who dazzled the audience at the Elito Reve show, will be the opening act.

More information will be available at our main website www.cubaintoronto.com   We are always available to answer your questions - especially if you are coming from out of town and need help to plan your trip to Toronto. Our phone number is 416 836 2600

Los Van Van are the greatest Cuban band of them all, uniting all the generations of Cuban people and Cuban music fans in one giant celebration. Come join us.

Los Van Van in Australia

Gabriel Wilder is a great friend of ours who writes the definitive blog on where to go, who to see and what to do in Havana, called Yemayas Verse. She is also one of Australia's top media and entertainment journalists

Here's her preview of Los Van Van's appearance in Australia this past August

Los Van Van Still Pushing the Boundaries

09-august-2010- One of Cuba's most celebrated bands is bringing its eclectic mix of styles - and penchant for innovation - to Sydney, writes Gabriel Wilder. - The train, that's what they call Los Van Van in Cuba. It's an apt nickname: for 40 years, the band have been at the forefront of popular music on the island and they show no sign of slowing down.

Since their inception in 1969, they have regularly taken top honours in the country's national music awards, but the band's appeal is not confined to the Caribbean. In 1999 they won a Grammy award for their album Llego . . . Van Van and they spend about half of every year touring Europe and the Americas. Now “El tren” is bringing their winning formula to Australia for the second time.

It's one that band leader Juan Formell has refined over decades. In 1968, he was musical director of one of the island's most popular groups, the innovative Orquesta Reve, which married changui – a very old form of "son" that predates even the venerable form purveyed by the Buena Vista Social Club – with strings to create a new sound. But at the time Formell was being heavily influenced by music from outside the island, especially the Beatles, and a year later he left to form his own group, Los Van Van.

“The Cuban dancers of that time weren't dancing to Cuban music,” Formell told me in 2006. “They were dancing to groups from Europe and it occurred to me to make a kind of music that was Cuban – like Cuban son but with guitars and synthesisers.”

The result was a fusion of strawberry pop, swinging grooves and innovative Cuban rhythms that Formell called “songo”. Over the years the group's sound continued to change as he added other elements that took his fancy to the mix: R&B, Brazilian music, Latin jazz and flamenco, to name a few. His son Samuell, the band's drummer and co-director, says the secret to the band's success lies in this eclectic approach.

You can read the rest of the preview here

Video commercial and all the show details for Nov 27!

Need to feel the presence?

Here's the English commercial for the big show Nov 27, followed by the Spanish version:

   

 

Click for the stage plan - If you want to stand in front of Mayito or Yeni, here's where to position!

And who's who on the train ... 

 

LISTADO DE LOS PARTICIPANTES

  

  

1-JUAN CLIMACO FORMELL CORTINA                         BAJO-CANTANTE

2-YAIMARA GONZALEZ GASTELUA                             RELACIONES PUBLICAS

3-YENISEL VALDES FUENTES                                     CANTANTE

4-ROBERTO HERNANDEZ ACEA                                  CANTANTE

5-MARIO ENRIQUE RIVERA GODINES                           CANTANTE

6-ABDEL RASALPS SOTOLONGO                                 CANTANTE

7-SAMUEL FORMELL ALFONSO                                    BATERIA

8-FRANCISCO DE ASIS FORMELL CORTINA                  PRODUCTOR

9-ALVARO COLLADO MARTINEZ                                   TROMBON

10-HUGO ANTONIO MOREJÓN GOMEZ                         TROMBON

11-JUAN ERNESTO NODARSE NOA                              INGENIERO DE SONIDO

12-JAVIER LEON PENA                                                 INGENIERO DE SONIDO

13-BORIS ERNESTO LUNA MENDEZ                            TECLADO

14-PAVEL MOLINA RUIZ                                               BAJO                          

15-JORGE LELIEBRE SORZANO                                   FLAUTA-VOZ

16-PEDRO CESAR FAJARDO ALZAGA                          VIOLIN

17-EDMUNDO CARLOS PINA MACHIN                           TROMBON

18-MANUEL LABARRERA HERNANDEZ                        CONGAS

19-IRVING ROBERTO FRONTELA RICO                         VIOLIN

20-ROBERTO CARLOS RODRIGUEZ VALDES                PIANO

21- JULIO ELADIO NOROÑA CRUZ                                GUIRO

22-PAMELA FORMELL DELGADO                                 DIRECTORA ARTISTICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel “Toto” Berriel, at Los Van Van - Nov 27

Toto Barriel will participate in a rumba before the Los Van Van performance on Nov. 27 at Sounds Academy in Toronto, 11 Polson St. There will be local participants including Melissa Noventa and more to be announced. His percussion workshops are acclaimed everywhere he does them, and we hope to organize some in Toronto while he is here. Toto is a percussionist & singer in the AfroCuban tradition. A native of the city of Matanzas, Cuba he began his professional music career at 16 in “Los Yaruminos” a group formed by children and close family members of recognized AfroCuban and traditional musicians like "Los Muñequitos de Matanzas" and "AfroCuba de Matanzas".

In 1985 he was invited to form part of the Group AfroCuba de Matanzas. Six years later he left this group to become a part of the world famous "Los Muñequitos de Matanzas" , unexpectedly following in his father's footsteps. As a youngster, Toto dreamed of becoming a percussionist and pursued his studies with drums in mind. A naturally gifted vocalist with a distinctive sound, the singer in Toto was rapidly discovered and put to use in the world's best-known Rumba group.

He toured worldwide singing, playing and teaching classes. Some of the countries he visited include: Canada, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France and Korea.

His easy charm, curious mind and characteristic Cuban warmth place Toto affectionately in the minds and hearts of his students, creating a comfortable and productive working environment.

In the past decade, Toto has shared the stage with many greats including Herbie Hancock, Los Van Van and Irakere.

Although Toto is deeply steeped in the AfroCuban traditions, he also plays joyfully with the influences of Cuban popular music, American jazz, soul and funk. In Canada he has performed at numerous events with the group “Bomba” with whom he toured Canada last year through the Jazz Festival Circuit as well as in numerous folk festivals. He has also performed at the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay (Banff); 2010 Olympic Alberta Pavillion (Vancouver) and recorded for CBC Radio and Television and CKUA

Some career highlights:

• 2001 Latin Grammy Award Winning recording "La Rumba Soy Yo" with the Cuban Rumba All-Stars
• Performing and recording in Cuba and diverse Countries for Radio and Television
• Teaching at numerous Universities, Community Colleges and Music Schools (University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan University, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Community College, In USA Duke, Stanford, Harbord, Michigan, Jacob's Pillow)
• Performed at Apollo Theatre, and New York Symphony Space / World Music Institute.

Advance Ticket Locations

Earlybird locations

TORONTO

SUPERLATIN MUSIC 1088 St Clair ave w  416 654-2217

BOLIS Books 872 Bathurst street 416 533 4000

Soundscapes 572 college st 416. 537.1620

AFROLATINO DANCE COMPANY 585 Yonge street  416 671 7140

NORTH YORK

Sheimy’s cellular 1740 Jane street 416 249 7200

MISSISSAUGA

4 ur convenience 3070 Hurontario street  905.272.9257

WHITBY

Mexico Lindo 915 Taunton rd E  905 728 5037

BRAMPTON

La Favorita 18 Queen st w 905 460 1346

HAMILTON

Mario Morataya debt solutions Yaimi Martinez 905 401.0417

LONDON

Casa Cubana 175 Wortley rd 519. 433.1001

 

Los Vanvansitos - A Tribute Band

Video of Okokan's Elito Reve Concert

Telmary singing Marilu with Mayito Los Van Van

Upcoming in Toronto FRI FEB 23 TELMARY

Produced by Billy Bryans : come and see TELMARY  FRI FEB 23 at the Lula Lounge

Snjezana and Bianca 26/02/07

Los Van Van Live In Toronto

Shot by DJ Darkrum from San Francisco's Añejo Productions

Photos and More Photos

Juan Formell: More photos and a review from MagiaRadio.com

MC Osiel, more photos and review from SalsaTO.com

Mayito: more photos and review from the Live Music Report

Yani of Cafe Cubano and admirer: photos and a review from  Toronto Hispanos

A Billion Thankyou's

from Sophie Giraud, Juan Carlos Bulnes and Billy Bryans to

Georges Khayat of Untitled Art, Carlos Fernandez and John Long of Long & McQuade, Javier Rivera at Essencia Latina, DJ Gury Gury, Michelle, Tracy and Jose at Lula Lounge, Nubia at Babaalu's, Noe Perez, Vladmir Aranda, Terry Zaifman, Sarita Leyva, Oscar at The Guvernment, Mike at SalsaTO, Claudio Castro, Robin Easton, John and Suki of Re-Son-8, Betty Colon, Albena de Assis, Derek Andrews, Alicia, Dave Dacks, Rick and the Añejo crew, Mario Beauchanp 417 Bus line, Alyana and Anais, Lou at Cervejaria, Joanne Smale of Planet 3, Kwik Copy on College, Eddie at 5 Star.  Lainie Knox (camera) Ian Watson (photo) Suba nightclub Lou Vitkov Mimi and Lidja ; Miguel Delgado silver 4 U ; Alvarro 4 ur convenience;  Joe at Superlatin music ; Tefi at Bohemia ; Julio at Bolis;  Julie at university of Michigan ; university of Syracuse; Jenn Jonas at Despelote dance;  Peter (aka PUPY!) the dressing room king who got it all together ; Mimi (got dance team together) ; Marcelo Addax and Abdiel CIRV Ondas hispanas ; Julissa and Orestes Puentes VOCES LATINAS.

Again thanks to the sponsors  Juan Carranza ( a great man and lawyer) ; Nubia and Pilar from Babaluu with Papito and Abdiel  ; Lula Lounge and Alicia Kielik from intercontinental travel.

REMEMBERING CARLOS CUEVAS  we miss you..Juan Carlos spoke with him when we thought of presenting the show. He was so postive and helped us with invaluable suggestions .

To our friends....

Painters Of The Flag

There isn't a photo yet, but a special special special shout-out goes to

Steve Willetts
Ersidio Tamayo
Jeff Shouten

Ingrid Jurek production designer who put the team together. This was a beautiful gift.

for painting the huge Cuban flag that hung behind Los Van Van last night

Wow! Thanks Everybody

from magiaradio.com

Van Van In Toronto More Party Photos

 

Van Van In Toronto - The Night Before

 

 

Members of Los Van Van got to relax last night at a welcoming party for the band held at Lula Lounge. Photos by Sophie

Welcome To Toronto

Greetings all Vanvaneros from Rochester, Miami, Edmonton, Seattle, Boston, San Fran, etc etc welcome To Toronto. Dont worry - it will get warmer tomorrow.(Saturday's temperature will be above zero)

The party tonight (Friday) starts at Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas West of Dufferin) with Black Market and ends at Cervejaria (842 College St at Ossington - a $5.00 cab ride from Lula) with Son Ache featuring Alberto Alberto.

Billy will be dj'ing at Lula, Sophie and Juan Carlos will be at both places.

More VanVaninToronto on The Radio

ON CBC Radio One 10pm Local time tonight (Dec 7th) Billy Bryans is interviewed by The Arts Tonight's Eleanor Wachtel about Los Van Van, their appearance in Toronto and Montreal, and the Cuban music community of Canada.

Thanks to CBC producer Li Robbins for putting it all together.

And Billy thanks Sarita Leyva for the Afro-Cuban cultural lessons from the lyrics to 'Chapeando'.

"Van Van viene iré
Viene con Oro"

Coming To Toronto - Añejo Productions

This is the Casino Rueda video that includes Rick "DJ Darkrum" Washington from the legendary Bay area promotion and production company Añejo Productions.

Telmary

Telmary is an amazing rapper, poet and spoken word artist from Havana who has been visiting Toronto this year. She has just released a great CD on Bis Records called A Diario, on which appears a song called Marilú that she recorded with members of Los Van Van including Mayito.

She's in town that night, so we are hoping Telmary sits in with LVV, it would be pretty electric.

More over on Billy's blog