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La Excelencia

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La Excelencia / Orquesta SCC
From Left to Right: Yuniel Jimenez, Edwin Perez, Ronald Prokopez, Charles Dilone, Jorge Bringas, Matt Hilgenberg, Rafi Makiel, Christopher Sanchez, Edgar Pantoja-Aleman, [Jose Vazquez-Cofresi], Jesse Alfonso
From Left to Right: Yuniel Jimenez, Edwin Perez, Ronald Prokopez, Charles Dilone, Jorge Bringas, Matt Hilgenberg, Rafi Makiel, Christopher Sanchez, Edgar Pantoja-Aleman, [Jose Vazquez-Cofresi], Jesse Alfonso
Background information
OriginNew York City
GenresSalsa dura salsa music
Years active2005–2012 reorganized in 2013 as Orquesta SCC
LabelsHWC Productions INC / Salsa Dura Ent.(independent)
Websitewww.orqscc.com

La Excelencia ran from 2005-2012 and in 2013 reorganized under the name Orquesta SCC which is a salsa dura orchestra based in New York City. The band was created by owners Jose Vazquez-Cofresi and Edwin Perez in 2013 and includes former founding members of La Excelencia.[1] Orquesta SCC, whose acronym stands for Salsa Con Conciencia (salsa music with conscience) have made it their mission to make music that benefits society in more ways than sound alone can achieve. Orquesta (orchestra) SCC are made up of 11 pieces, making them a modern big band by contemporary standards. They are well known and respected for shunning the traditional suit-and-tie uniform of former-day salsa players, as well as for breaking from many unnecessary traditions in order to recreate the genuine Latin style and sound in a manner that befits the modern era of music. A key component to this new, cutting-edge mode is their attention to lyrical themes, which often deal with the issues and complexities of modern society.[2]

History

In 2000, Jose Vazquez-Cofresi moved to New York City with a promise to sign a salsa CD recording deal with ex-Fania Records and ex-RMM Records & Video employees, including Johnny Pacheco as a music consultant and Herman Rodriguez-Bajandas; the company preferred to invest in the reggaetón boom instead.[3] During this period, conguero-composer Jose Vazquez-Cofresi met lead vocalist-composer Edwin Perez. The two performed together in Vazquez-Cofresi first band Los Calientes playing the local New York salsa scene from 2001-2004. In 2005 Vazquez-Cofresi and Perez would brainstorm a new evolution for salsa along with other founding members; percussionist Charles Dilone, pianist Willy Rodriguez, trombone player Ronalad Prokopez that would become La Excelencia. Vazquez-Cofresi and Perez with others began to work on the band's first album Salsa Con Conciencia (Salsa with Awareness/ Conscience) and under the label Handle With Care Productions, owned by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, the album would be released in 2006.[4] In 2009 La Excelencia released Mi Tumbao Social (My Social Drumbeat) which would be featured on the BBC and PBS special; Latin Music USA held at the Barbican Centre in London in 2010.[3] La Excelenca began to record the album Ecos Del Barrio in 2011. While in the studio founding members felt the arrangements and sound were not based on the original sound of the band. Shortly after the album's release the founding members decided to end La Excelencia in 2012 with a final world tour.[5]

The Rebirth & Fourth Album

On October 2012, Edwin Perez spoke with Jose Vazquez-Cofresi about putting the band back together. After throwing around different names Perez and Vazquez-Cofresi would both create Orquesta SCC. Perez came up with a plan to record a new album as soon as possible for the fans. He offered to pay for the new production out of pocket if Vazquez-Cofresi would pay the musicians to record; both agreed. Soon after Perez & Vazquez-Cofresi began to individually work on new songs and in December they met up with arranger and bassist Jorge Bringas to arrange their music. The two owners of Orquesta SCC; Edwin Perez and Jose Vazquez-Cofresi would call upon former members of La Excelencia; Jorge Bringas, Charles Dilone, Ronald Prokopez, Yuniel Jimenez, plus other musicians that toured as La Excelencia to reunite as Orquesta SCC. Orquesta SCC immediately began to rehearse the new songs that would be recorded on the new album. The band would sign with Salsa Dura Entertainment, a joint venture between Perez and Vazquez-Cofresi to release their fourth album working together. In January 2013 Orquesta SCC began recording the album Renacmiento at Skylight Studios in New Jersey with engineer Guido Diaz.[6] With the help of Edwin Perez as Executive Producer, Orquesta SCC began to record with hopes to recapture their original sound that made them popular.[5] The name Renacimiento is a name meaning both 'rebirth' and 'Renaissance.[2] Renacimiento was originally released in October 2013 and is composed of 11 original tracks for an approximate total listening time of 50 minutes.[2] The album includes arrangements by Jorge Bringas, compositions by Edwin Perez, and Jose Vazquez-Cofresi. Popular songs from the album that have hit the top Latin charts around the world are; Pancho Rumba, Dejala Que Baile, El Montuno de la Verdad, A Mi Estilo, Basta Ya and Son Son Son Sonero.

DVD & World Tours

In 2014 Orquesta SCC started a world tour that helped land them on the cover of Vida Latina Magazine and press coverage in The New York Times, The New York Daily News, NY1 News and ABC’s “Tiempo.". The band also recorded a live DVD; Los Reyes De La Salsa Dura (The Kings of Salsa Dura) filmed in Milan, Italy at the Latino Americando Expo. The DVD was released for free on YouTube as a token of appreciation for Orquesta SCC's fans. The concept to give the DVD for free came from the a long-awaited DVD that La Excelencia never released. As former members of La Excelencia, Orquesta SCC felt that a DVD was owed to their fans and that it should be given for free.[6] Highlights of the 2014 world tour include Orquesta SCC as one of the headliners at the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico, being one of the first salsa bands to perform in Moscow, Russia, headlining the Zurich Salsa Congress and the Afro-Latino Festival in Belgium. The band has shared performance bills with artists including: Buena Vista Social Club, Ozomatli, Juan Luis Guerra, Oscar D'León, Eddie Palmieri, Calle 13, El Gran Combo, Grupo Niche, Havana D’ Primera, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Alfredo De La Fe, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto Santiago, DLG, Sergent Garcia, Tego Calderon, Ruben Blades, Los Van Van, among others.[6]

Present

In 2015, Orquesta SCC announced that they would be doing a world tour named The Kings of Salsa Dura. Highlight dates on the 2015 world tour include; Festival International of salsa in Boca del Rio, Veracruz, Mexico, Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing in New York City, and Tempo Latino in Vic-Fezensac, France.[7] Lincoln Center (Midsummer Night Swing) has been quoted saying; " These native New Yorkers take up the Fania All-Stars torch and show dancers why they are quickly being hailed as The new Kings of Salsa Dura ".[8] Owners Edwin Perez and Jose Vazquez-Cofresi have both spoken of a new album in the works for Orquesta SCC on social media.[7]

Discography

Salsa Con Conciencia (2006) as La Excelencia

  1. La Lucha - ( J.S.)
  2. Solo Sin Amor - ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  3. Sentencia - ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  4. El Tiempo en tus Manos - ( R. Leslie)
  5. La Salsa y el Guaguanco - ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  6. Estoy - ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  7. El Loco - ( J.S.)
  8. Cada Dia - ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  9. Hijo de los Rumberos - ( J.S.)
  10. Boogalu Pa' Colombia ( J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  11. La Lucha Remix (Featuring Shanny) - ( J.S.)

Mi Tumbao Social (2009) as La Excelencia

  1. Salsa Dura - ( Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  2. Ahora Que Te Tengo Aquí - ( Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  3. Deja De Criticar ( Music : Julián Silva Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi )
  4. Por Tu Traición (Salsa Version) - ( Music : Julián Silva Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi )
  5. Aña Pa' Mi Tambor - ( Music : Julián Silva Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi )
  6. American Sueño - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  7. Duelo De Bongo - ( Music : Julián Silva Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi )
  8. Caminando - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  9. Vendió Su Corazón - (Music Julián Silva and La Excelencia Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  10. Unidad - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  11. Por Tu Traición (Bolero Version) - (Music by Tokunori Kajiwara and Willy Rodriguez Lyrics : J. Vazquez-Cofresi)

Ecos Del Barrio (2012) as La Excelencia

  1. Intro
  2. Pa'l Mundo Entero - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  3. Dale Otra Opportunidad - ( (Music: Julián Silva lyrics : Edwin Perez)
  4. Nueva York Sin Ti - (Music by Julián Silva and lyrics J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  5. Guerrero - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  6. María - (Music: Julián Silva String arrangements : Tokunori Kajiwara Lyrics by J. Vazquez-Cofresi )
  7. Entre Espinas - (Music by Julián Silva and lyrics J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  8. La Economía (Album Version) - (Music by Julián Silva and lyrics J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  9. Anoche Soñé Contigo - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  10. Vagabundo - (Music and lyrics : Julián Silva)
  11. Iyáñlá - (Music by Julián Silva and lyrics J. Vazquez-Cofresi)
  12. Descarga La Excelencia (Tsumugi) - (Tokunori Kajiwara)

Renacimiento (2013) as Orquesta SCC

  1. Yo Los Invito a Gozar - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  2. A Mi Estilo - (Music & Lyrics by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  3. Original Y Sin Copia - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  4. Dejala Que Baile - (Music & Lyrics by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  5. El Montuno De La Verdad - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  6. La Peleona - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  7. La Salsa Que Traigo - (Music & Lyrics by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  8. Pancho Rumba - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  9. Son Son Son Sonero - (Music & Lyrics by Edwin Perez, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  10. Basta Ya - (Music & Lyrics by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)
  11. Alboroto En El Barrio - (Music & Lyrics by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Arrangement by Jorge Bringas)

DVD

Los Reyes De La Salsa Dura (The Kings of Salsa Dura) 2014 as Orquesta SCC

  1. Interview
  2. Dejala Que Baile
  3. La Salsa y el Guaguanco
  4. La Peleona
  5. El Montuno De La Verdad
  6. Pancho Rumba
  7. Latin Percussion Solos
  8. Deja De Criticar
  9. Son Son Son Sonero
  10. Boogalu Pa' Colombia (Encore)

Orchestra Members

  • Owner Co-Founder / Congas: Jose Vazquez-Cofresi
  • Co-Founder of La Excelencia /Timbales: Julián Silva
  • Co-Founder / Lead Vocal: Edwin Perez
  • Contra-bass / Chorus / Conductor: Jorge Bringas
  • Tres Guitar / Chorus: Yuniel Jimenez
  • Piano: David Friman
  • Bongos / Cowbell: Charles Dilone
  • Timbales: Manuel "Manny" Alejandro Carro
  • Trombone: Rey David
  • Trombone: Raul Navarrete
  • Trumpet: Kali Rodriguez
  • Trumpet: Alejandro Berti

Former Orchestra Members

  • Piano: Edgar Pantoja-Aleman
  • Timbales: Jesse Alfonso
  • Trumpet: Matt Hilgenberg, Chris Sanchez, Samuel Barretto
  • Trombone: Rafi Makiel, Ronald Prokopez

Awards and nominations as Orquesta SCC

  • 2014 Voted Top Ten Best 150 Albums of 2014 [4]
  • 2014 Nomination for LUKAS Awards (UK) [5]
  • 2014 Best Latin Album by Le Monde in (France) [6]
  • 2014 "Alma Del Barrio" Best Salsa Album Award (USA)
  • 2013 Top 10 Best Salsa Album (Peru)[7]
  • 2013 Editors Pick Best Salsa Album - Descarga [8]
  • 2013 Salsanewz Best Salsa Album Award [9]

Awards and nominations as La Excelencia

  • 2007 Award for Best Salsa Album by Dj Gury Gury, Canadian Latin Radio
  • 2009 Award for The UK Salsa Awards

National Tours

  • Sounds of Barazil (SOBs) – New York, NY
  • Copacabana – New York, NY
  • West Gate Lounge – Nyack, NY
  • Connecticut Salsa Fest – Stamford, CT
  • South Street Seaport – New York, NY
  • New York Salsa Congress – New York, NY
  • Puerto Rican Day Parade – New York, NY
  • Yonkers PR Day Parade – Yonkers, NY
  • Latin Quarter (LQ) – New York, NY
  • Julia De Burgos Cultural Center – New York, NY
  • New York City Department of Parks & Recreation – New York, NY
  • Café Iguana – New York, NY
  • El Dia De La Salsa – New York, NY
  • Battery Park Latin Music Series – New York, NY
  • 116th Street Festival – New York, NY
  • Orchard Beach – New York, NY
  • Hardee’s Latin Fest – Virginia Beach, VA
  • Lehman Center – Bronx, NY
  • Lincoln Center – New York, NY
  • Viva Chicago Music Festival – Chicago, Il
  • Hostos Repertory Theater – Bronx, NY
  • Webster Hall – New York, NY
  • Festival International – Lafayette, LA
  • New Orleans Jazzfest – New Orleans, LA
  • Tipatina’s – New Orleans, LA
  • The House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
  • Houston International Festival – Houston, TX
  • Austin Salsa Festival – Austin TX
  • 92YTribeca – New York, NY
  • International Festival of Arts and Ideas – New Haven, CT
  • National Folk Festival – Butte, MT
  • Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
  • Chicago World Music Festival – Chicago, Ill
  • Global Union – Milwaukee, WI
  • Lowell Folk Festival – Lowell, MA
  • National Folk Festival – Nashville, TN
  • University of Richmond – Richmond, VA
  • Globalquerque – Albuquerque, NM
  • Plus others

International Tours

  • Latinoamericando – Milan, IT
  • Rome Salsa Festival – Rome, IT
  • New Morning – Paris, FR
  • Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld – Koln, DE
  • 229 The Venue – London, UK
  • The Extravaganza – Bristol, UK
  • Croatian Summer Salsa Festival – Rovinj, HR
  • Toros y Salsa – Dax, FR
  • Turkish International Salsa Festival – Antalaya, TR
  • Salsa Party EL Barrio – Marseille, FR
  • Lucerne Salsa Festival – Lucerne, CH
  • Euroson Latino – Puebla,MX
  • La Maraka – Mexico City, MX
  • Montreal Jazz Fest – Montreal, CA
  • Barbican Centre – London, UK
  • Fusion Festival – Larz, DE
  • South Hill Arts Centre – Bracknell, UK
  • Glastonbury Festival – Glastonbury, UK
  • Cargo – London, UK
  • The Old Market – Brighton, UK
  • The Picket – Liverpool, UK
  • The Wardrobe – Leeds, UK
  • Havana Club – Berlin, DE
  • Salsa Life Party – Trier, DE
  • Club Mystique – Amsterdam, NL
  • Festival Mundial – Tilburg, NL
  • Salsa Jam – Kyrenia, CY
  • Village Tropical Festival – Geneve, CH
  • Floridita – Vienna, AT
  • SalsaLux – Walferdange, LU
  • Melkweg – Amsterdam, NL
  • Afro-Latino Festival – Bree, BE
  • Norwegian Salsa Congress – Oslo, N
  • Plus others

Notes

  1. ^ Biography La Excelencia. 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b c News
  3. ^ a b The New York Times: Rother, Larry, "La Excelencia", Rohter, Larry. "From New York, a Salsa Group With Street Cred", page C1 of the New York edition, (July 15, 2010)
  4. ^ Latin Beat Magazine Inc: Yglesias, "La Excelencia", page 28.
  5. ^ a b Review
  6. ^ a b c Biography
  7. ^ a b [1]
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ [3]

References

Bibliography

  • Yglesias, Pablo: "Latin Beat Magazine", Volume 19, Number 2 March 2009, ISSN 1553-5460
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