CarmenRAZA profile picture

CarmenRAZA

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

About Me



For more information, please visit:

ALMA NYC's MySpace
ALMA NYC's Website
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

6 - 11pm
$10 with flyer or RSVP to [email protected]
$15 at the door

Cielo
18 Little West 12th Street
Between Washington & 9th Avenue, NYC
A,C,E,1,2,3;L to 14th Street
Cielo

Raza is a Spanish phrase which, while literally translated as the race, is used as a synonym of "el pueblo" or "la gente", both of which mean "the people". It is used to denote the people of Latin America who share the cultural & political legacies of Spanish colonialism. Often, the term "La Raza" also encompasses a racial significance associated with "mestizaje", or race-mixing. In the 1960s, ethnically-based political movements for civil rights used "La Raza" to break down the national & generational barriers between the various segments of the Latino population.

My Interests

Music:

Hector Lavoe's "Mi Gente"

Movies:

Salsa Fania All Stars & Hector Lavoe - "Mi Gente"

Heroes:

On the life of Hector Lavoe…
Hector Juan Perez (1946-1993) was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico where by the age of 14 he was earning money as a singer in a 10-piece band in Puerto Rico. After his arrival in New York City, a local promoter took Hector Perez under his wing. Hector admired Felipe Rodriguez, a famous singer of romantic ballads who was nicknamed “La Voz” (“The Voice”). In that vein, the promoter christened Hector with the stage name “LaVoe” - a derivative of La Voz.
Hector began playing with bands in New York like Kako and his all stars. He later met and worked for two weeks with the great Dominican bandleader, Johnny Pacheco who introduced the young Hector to a young, up-and-coming bandleader named Willie Colon. Willie was developing a reputation for his extraordinary work playing Latin jazz and boogaloo, and was getting ready record his first album for the Fania label with Johnny Pacheco. Willie, who was looking for a lead singer, was drawn to Hector's clear voice, impeccable enunciation and stylistic abilities. In addition, Hector had an enormous talent for improvisation. That introduction led to a very successful musical union-one that was instantaneous. In 1967 Hector and Willie recorded “EL Malo” their first album for Fania. It was clear from the onset that theirs was a special union with a new sound. In addition to being a great talent, Hector was very charismatic and audiences loved him. He was comical in his repartee with the audience and within his improvisations.
Hector Lavoe went on to become a voice for the people and a legend in his own time. He has been a great inspiration to many of today's young singers and, to this day, there are still very few who can match his ability as a ‘sonero’. His music is timeless and classic, it lives on and continues to gain popularity.

My Blog

RAZA FANIA LOUIE VEGA ROOTS HECTOR LAVOE

This spectacular, hot summer edition of RAZA, promises to be something 'out of this world' if you are a fan of the Latin culture. If you are Latin, you may want to bring your camera along with a few ...
Posted by CarmenRAZA on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:42:00 PST

RAZA feat. Bobbito Garcia + Yerbabuena + More!

The June Edition of RAZA, the newest Latin party in the Meat Packing District, returns with a celebration in honor of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Their esteemed guests are the Legendary Bobbito Garc...
Posted by CarmenRAZA on Mon, 28 May 2007 12:20:00 PST