Interview:
Mario Ortiz, Jr.: Mario Ortiz and his All Star Band Revival
by John Child
As the 10th anniversary of the passing of the revered Puerto Rican bandleader, trumpeter, arranger and producer Mario Ortiz approaches, his son, the accomplished trumpeter Mario Ortiz Jr., has produced Mario Ortiz All Star Band Tributo 45 Aniversario (Caminaldo Records) dedicated to the early recordings of his father's band, a musical sensation of the 1960s. A hard swinging salsa big band album, it features an all-star lineup, including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Allen, Richie Ray, Bobby Cruz, Roberto Roena, Adalberto Santiago, Elías Lopés, Primi Cruz, Anthony Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Papo Lucca, Tony Vega, Bobby Valentín, Ismael Rivera Jr., Pedro Brull and Andy Montañez, among others. Here Mario Jr. speaks to John Child about the project, his dad's exceptional career and his own activity on the salsa and jazz scenes. The interview is accompanied by a discographic profile of Mario Ortiz.
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Interview:
Willy Torres: A Dream Come True?
by John Child
The multitalented Willy Torres has clocked-up an impressive CV during his first 20 years in the Latin music industry. In 2008 he spoke to John Child about his career as a singer, working with the likes of Larry Harlow, Victor Manuelle and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra; his activity as a producer and recording engineer, including the Grammy-nominated Back on the Streets: A Taste of Spanish Harlem, Vol. 2 (Fania / Universal, 2008); and his solo debut Lo Que Traigo Yo - Willy's NYC Salsa Project (Latin Street Music, 2008).
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Recent postings:
Meñique: The Correct Biography
Henry FiolI Am What I Am: I Am What I Am
Juanito Márquez: JUANITO, sencillamente
Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón: Salsa's Unsung Pianist
Lewis Kahn: The Zen and Art of Violin and Trombone Playing
Conversing with Cachao, Part 1
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