Spanish Harlem Orchestra

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Summary

Founded by the great Oscar Hernandez and Aaron Levinson in 2000, Spanish Harlem Orchestra - or SHO - is an emblematic salsa group, winner of two Grammy Awards, and a figurehead of 'salsa dura' - sa...

Founded by the great Oscar Hernandez and Aaron Levinson in 2000, Spanish Harlem Orchestra - or SHO - is an emblematic salsa group, winner of two Grammy Awards, and a figurehead of 'salsa dura' - salsa typical of Spanish Harlem (New York City neighborhood) born in the late sixties and popularized by the great Fania Records label. The orchestra is elegantly composed of pianist Oscar Hernandez, three vocalists (Jeremy Bosch, Carlos Cascante and Marco Bermudez) and two trumpeters (Hector Colon and Manuel Ruiz), two trombonists (Doug Beavers and David Rothschild), a saxophonist (Mitch Froman), and then there are congas (George Delgado), bongos (Jorge Gonzales), timpani (Jeffrey Lopez) and a bass (Jerry Madera). Together, they create a music that does not age; a music that belongs to the past but still remains fresh, its future dependant on groups such as the Spanish Harlem Orchestra that help to perpetuate a precious heritage. For this performance, the atmosphere is warm, the mood is contagious, and the salsa steps follow one another. It's hard not to smile as you get caught up in the intoxication of the brass instruments, and it's hard not to feel sunshine on the face, and rum in the throat once you get hooked on the feverish congas. Led by salsa giant Oscar Hernandez - former musical director of Paul Simon and Ruben Blades, who played with Ray Barretto for six years and shared the stage with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and Oscar D'Leon - the Spanish Harlem Orchestra has not finished spreading salsa and good vibes around the world. --Anaïs Christidis Guillemard.

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