Salsa orchestra gets the SM Pier moving
By CHRISTINA YOON Special to the Daily Press
SM PIER The forecast by the beach may be chilly and a bit cloudy, but Spanish Harlem Orchestra has plans to turn up the temperature for audiences. The Grammy-winning salsa sensations will perform at this summer’s third Twilight Dance Series concert tonight.
The 13-member ensemble specializes in “salsa dura,” or “heavy salsa” — a traditional style of Latin music that celebrates the musicians’ cultural and artistic roots.
“It’s music that contains the essence of what salsa music is,” said Oscar Hernàndez, pianist and musical director of the band. “It’s not pop salsa.”
Hernàndez is currently a Los Angeles resident but insists that he is “a die-hard New Yorker, born and raised,” as are his band mates. He says that their New York upbringing and close ties to Puerto Rican culture inspire them to create music that hearkens back to the lively music scene of Spanish Harlem in the 1950s and ‘60s.
“We’re keeping the tradition that was passed down to us,” Hernàndez said. “Our mission is to put it on the pedestal that it deserves to be on.”
Originally formed in 2000 by producer Aaron Levinson for Warner Brothers Records, the orchestra was put on hold and ultimately dropped by the record company. The band, however, had formed a strong underground fan base and was soon signed to a small independent label. Eight years later, the orchestra has released three albums, each of which has been nominated for Grammys. The band won the Grammy in 2004 for their second album “Across 110th Street.” The band’s latest album, “United we Swing,” features special guest vocals by Paul Simon. Hernàndez formed a professional relationship with Simon when he arranged and produced the music for Simon’s Broadway musical “The Capeman.” “United We Swing” is nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Tropical Album.
“I’m extremely proud that people are giving (the band) the recognition it deserves,” Hernàndez said. “It’s not like we’re an overnight sensation. I busted my butt!”
The band has toured internationally for years, and was the first salsa band to perform at the Sydney Opera House. Hernàndez is confident that Twilight Dance Series audiences will embrace their sound as openly as others have around the world.
“L.A. has a strong tradition of Latin music, so we’re happy to have them hear music that characterizes the East Coast,” he said.
More than anything, Hernàndez sees tonight’s concert on the pier as a ripe opportunity.
“The fact that we’re playing for people who don’t know who we are is an extra bonus,” he said.
It’s also helpful that audiences gathered at the concert tonight will have the space to show off some moves as the band plays its energetic, upbeat salsa hits.
“We’ve been playing a lot of performing arts centers and people always complain that there’s nowhere to dance,” Hernàndez said.
While the orchestra’s music has more to offer musically than just a background beat to dance to,“ultimately, even at the performing arts centers people get up and dance.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 10, 2008. Read the original PDF.