Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
MCUs hands banging on bongos. MCUs salsa cowbell played with timbale sticks (that's Tito Puente on timbale, though his head is cropped out). MS/CUs host Felipe Luciano reciting absolutely excellent, jazzy, occasionally bilingual spoken word poem piece marked by references to contemporary Hispanic culture, defiant urban jingoisms & political activism. "Rhythms, rhythms, rhythms! We eat rhythms. We sleep rhythms. We make love to rhythms."
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Felipe Luciano segues directly into introduction of Tito Puente & His Orchestra (Tito Puente Y Su Orquestra) conducted by Tito Puente. Tito Puente Y Su Orquestra perform "Para los Rumberos" (salsa rhumba). Show titles appear briefly over Orchestra performing. Great shots of master percussionist Tito Puente playing timbales, salsa cowbells, cymbal; hot horn section; entire large orchestra; trap kit player; ancillary percussion (cowbell, bongos, conga, clave, etc). Tito Puente performs blistering solo on timbales (not great mic placement, a tad low in mix, but excellent nonetheless). MSs largely young, multi-ethnic audience applauding enthusiastically (very 70s clothing, fashion, facial hair, hairstyles-- many an Afro).
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Host Felipe Luciano says, "Buenos noches," welcomes everyone to the show; says Puerto Rican music reflects the history of the Puerto Rican people from Nigeria to Cuba to Puerto Rico; "America took over Puerto Rico in 1898 & still controls it"; traces popular history of Puerto Rican big band music, reminisces the Palladium, introduces Tito Puente. Felipe Luciano interviews Tito Puente. Mr. Luciano says Mr. Puente was born on E. 117th Street in New York, asks how he got started in music; Mr. Puente says he was fortunate to be born with a natural talent that his parents fostered. Mr. Luciano asks how Latin music has changed over the years; Mr. Puente says Latin music is cyclical & now returning to its roots. Mr. Luciano asks what the future of Latin music holds; Mr. Puente says the influence is heavy in the music of the day, especially rock & roll; "Latin music is a dance music-- without the dance, we have no Latin music." Mr. Luciano remarks that Mr. Puente started out as a dancer; Mr. Puente reminisces his dancing days, says he broke his ankle bicycling which ended his dancing career. Mr. Luciano feels Latin music has been stifled in the U.S.; Mr. Puente replies that America's appropriation of Latin music has been very white & harmless. Mr. Luciano thanks Mr. Puente, shakes his hand.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Host Felipe Luciano introduces Tito Puente Y Su Orquestra featuring singer Frankie Figueroa. Tito Puente & His Orchestra featuring singer Frankie Figueroa perform "Tus Ojos" (Latin ballad, Tito Puente playing vibraphone). Tito Puente solos on vibes.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
FOR FULL PERFORMANCE WITH AUDIO, PLEASE CONTACT WPA. Tito Puente Y Su Orquestra perform "Nina Y Senora" (mambo). Tito Puente & Frankie Figueroa share singing duties. Young black man named Gerard & Hispanic woman named Priscilla step onto stage, perform evocative salsa dance in front of Tito Puente & Orchestra-- note that the male dancer wears black leather pants. At outset, program host Felipe Luciano enters, thanks Tito Puente & orchestra, then the dancers. Tito Puente smiles, bows.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Host Felipe Luciano says Puerto Ricans have been stereotyped in the media, especially in motion pictures, as either "cut-throats" or "passive, docile peasants willing to accept anything that the Man puts on us," then introduces clip from "Our Latin Thing."
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Host Felipe Luciano recites short but juicy-sweet self-penned original poem about contemporary Puerto Rican life & culture: "Puerto Ricans are like--" After much-deserved appaluse, Felipe Luciano says that while the 1950s were the era of the big bands, the 1960s was the era of the bugaloo in Latin music, and that the American public school system failed to teach Puerto Rican children to be proud of their culture & heritage; dispenses popular history of Latin bugaloo music & his fond personal memories of "grind-em up" dances; introduces Willie Colon.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Felipe Luciano interviews Willie Colon. Willie Colon says he started playing music when he was 12, starting with the trumpet & moving to the trombone, citing Barry Rogers as a main musical influence. Mr. Colon says that Latin bugaloo has branched out from Cuban roots to include more direct African & Caribbean influences.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Felipe Luciano introduces Willie Colon. Willie Colon Y Su Orquestra perform "Aguanile" (Latin jazz with heavy African influences). Two slide trombones, piano, upright bass, bongos, timbale, singer (Hector Lavoe).
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Willie Colon Y Su Orquestra perform unidentified latin jazz number with heavy Caribbean influences. Willie Colon solos on trombone.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
MSs African-American & Hispanic audience members applauding. Felipe Luciano thanks Willie Colon & Tito Puente, closes show, introduces final number. Willie Colon Y Su Orquestra perform "Timbalero" from "Juicio" album. Salsa dancers Priscilla & Gerard Marsh step onto the floor to dance, promptly followed by members of the studio audience. Latino dance party.
Soul! Shades of Soul Pt. 1
Credits roll over Willie Colon & Orchestra continuing performance of "Timbalero."