These performers are Manolo Rodriguez, Alex Lebron, and Marcos Lopez. There's lots of talent here. We just saw Manolito Rodriguez (left) at the 2010 Puerto Rico Salsa Congress. He is now 22 years old. This kid is going to be part of the next generation of great salsa musicians.
"The Lebron Brothers consisted of Jose, Angel, Carlos, Frankie, and Pablo -- this last one ailed two decades ago by a heart disease that kept him away from performing.
Los Van Van is one of the most important bands in the history of the 20th century. Though 1990s Cuba was pervaded by groups that mixed folkloric and traditional music with the musical trends of the day, and the beginning of the 21st century saw that process go even further, in the 1960s and '70s that Latino fusion sensibility was scarce at best. There were primarily two Cuban groups experimenting with mixing pop, funk, rock, and soul with their native traditions.
The 4th Arizona Salsa Festival in Phoenix was a great success and lot and lots of fun. Great job to AZSalsa.net for putting this event together. Check out a gallery here.
