Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 10, 2008 issue
Steamy Latin Groovers Alma de Candela Return to Boone Saloon April 19
Story by David Brewer
While some Americans may still be trying to forget the scourge of Ricky Martin’s Latin-flavored pop rock song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” that overwhelmed seemingly every radio and TV station in America during 1999, bands such as eight-piece outfit Alma de Candela (Soul of Fire) are laying down irresistible grooves that encompass the classic sounds of Cuba and South America.
On Saturday, April 19, Alma de Candela will return to the High Country for a show at Boone Saloon.
Alma De Candela formed in 2006 as a result of a gig offer from Rosalinda's Fonda, a restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina. Guitarist and arranger Monty Craig pooled together the talent of several local percussionists, vocalists and horn players to tackle classic Afro-Cuban jazz compositions, songs by the Buena Vista Social Club and other dance-inducing Latin material. The band was an instant success.
Since then the band has grown to be known as the premiere Orquesta Latina in the Upstate. The band has headlined the Make a Wish Foundation's Greenville International Wine Festival for 2 years running, and will return as the headliner for the 2008 Greenville Festival, as well as the Charleston Festival. Along with local gigs, the band has begun touring the southeast and bringing their fire and passion for Latin music with them.
In addition to Craig, Cuban percussionist Jose Marquez is featured as the percussion section leader. Marquez is a graduate of the Cuban Music Conservatory and upon arriving in the United States in 1980, toured the world with jazz icons Dizzy Gillespie and Mongo Santamaria before moving to South Carolina.
“He pretty much schools us all the time on how to play the music right and use the proper pronunciations,” said Craig.
According to Craig, Boone Saloon booking agent Matt Johnston spotted the band at venerable Greenville music venue the Handle Bar. Shortly thereafter, the band was invited to perform at Boone Saloon, where they have played to enthusiastic crowds of dancers on multiple occasions.
During the last three years, Alma de Candela has increased their repertoire to include a variety of Latin styles including salsa, mambo, samba and Brazilian jazz, all of which appeal to dancers.
“In the rhythms are ancient polyrhythms from Africa and Cuba,” said Craig. “No matter what language is being sung, people respond to the polyrhythms. The dancers just eat it up.”
For more info, click to www.myspace.com/almadecandela.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Boone Saloon
Cost: $6