Since 1994, Sergio Vallin has been a part of Maná, the Grammy-award winning Mexican pop-rock band that has captivated millions of fans around the globe. But Vallin’s musical beginnings were humble in comparison to the great popularity of the iconic band. As an 8-year-old, he played in a school band with two siblings and later learned to play the...
If I had to pick a couple of terms to describe myself, they would be: funky Afro-Caribbean woman. Imagine my instant connection to the debut album of Palo!’s This is Afro-Cuban Funk. I first heard of them while listening to a Blog Talk Radio show that featured their music and immediately went to their website. Their homepage is simply amazing. Not...
Alejandra Tejada is the wife of Major League Baseball player, Miguel Tejada, making it a difficult start in launching a music career. Tejada had to cope with the opinion that she was being played because she was married to a star. She had to take it while slowly proving herself a talent in her own right. She soon built a following on her debut...
The idea for a band had existed in Josh Norek’s head for many years before it was realized. The now-32-year-old, who is both Jewish and has family from Colombia on his father’s side, later met Abraham Velez, who is also 32, of Puerto-Rican and Jewish descent, and worked in the Latin alternative music industry. The pair, according to...
After months of anticipation, the hottest night for Latinos and music lovers alike is finally here.
In celebration of BMI’s Latin Grammy Nominees, nocheLatina is launching “Noche de Estrellas,” an exclusive fiesta that not only jumpstarts the awards, but unites fans with their favorite musical stars. “Noche de Estrellas” features acoustic...
If you crave for real, unfiltered music that speaks proudly of your heritage, encourages you to shake your hips, and reveals urban poetry with a hard edge, all you have to do is want it, at least that’s what alternative indie band Pacha Massive claims. Consisting of Dominican-born Ramon Nova and Maya Martinez from Columbia, the duo behind Pacha...
Bomba Estereo’s Blow Up is unlike any other Latin alternative album you’ve heard this year. This musical gem has a space age, jazzy feel, mixed with lots of traditional Colombian beats that get you both rocking out and dancing at the same time. Honestly, how many Latin bands can successfully do this today? Vocalist Li Saumet, whose fierce vocals...
When it comes to Latin urban music, Dominican hip-hop has often been overlooked. The immense splash reggaeton had on the music industry and the publicity it gave Puerto Rico made many aspiring artists superstars. However, the Dominican Republic measures favorably with the best rappers. The problem is that many are still known locally and in the...
Latin music can forever leave a permanent imprint in your life. Perhaps you grew up with cumbia thumping from the apartment above you, or merengue often permeated its way into your ears by others swaying to its sounds. Whichever way Latin music affected you, there are a few songs that you must always have in your iPod to conjure...
When I hear someone speak of “Latin jazz,” not one person, sound, or instrument comes to mind. This genre is not ours because we are Latino, yet we make it our own because we share our testimonies and tell our stories. Chilean singer Claudia Acuña has released En Este Momento, a 10-track album that fits nicely into the little-known Latin jazz...
