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Anthony Blea y su Charanga
Someone I used to know from work, Anthony is a "very funny guy", Conan O'Brien's favorite introducing line for guys, and a cool musician. He has started Charanson in 1995, then changed names to Anthony Blea y su Charanga. This charanga band is all over the place in the Bay Area. They have had some great reviews and their album, Virgen de la Caridad, can be bought at CD Baby. Following the CD Baby link, you can hear some samples of their music (cheering up your cubicle for you!). Some words about it:
The long awaited debut CD of Anthony Blea y su Charanga ( formerly known as Charanson)is an instant classic.Featuring some of the hottest young musicians in the salsa music scene today.This music is great for dancing as well as listening.Once you listen you'll be hooked.Combining the traditional Cuban charanga sound(violin , flute) with a driving horn section, Anthony Blea y su Charanga will satisfy any true music lovers fantasy, wheather your a salsa fan or not.There's some great playing demonstrated on this CD (Jimmy Bosch-Trombone, Alfredo DeLaFe-violin, Bill Ortiz-trumpet, Anthony Blea-violin etc...)you gotta hear it.
This is not your run of the mill comercial salsa, this is a band with a personality and a unique sound. The combination of the great arrangements and the musicians makes this a world class band. Check it out. More to come.
Sincerely,
Anthony Blea
Some of his latest gigs (bands website needs updating!):
Marimba Pacifica, participation in the CD by Blea, "Bay Area violin phenomenon"
The Elbo Room, last April
Collaboration with the Del Sol String Quartet
The band is travelling to NY in June
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"Rita: WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER THE SF CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC?
Anthony: I went to Manhattan School of Music from 1984-1988 and got my bachelor's degree there. I studied with some of the premier teachers in the world. I came back here and got a master’s degree at the Conservatory in the quartet program. This was a special program that was strictly focused on chamber music, particularly quartet program. String quartet is a unique style of playing. When I went into the program, that’s how I wanted to make my living playing chamber music—quartet music in particular.
Most people that hear me with the band (Charanson) have no idea what I can do on the classical side. They know that I can play the violin and they say you must have studied classical because your technique is really sound. But violinists know that I really play classical music. I played with the San Francisco Opera for a few seasons. I played what they call the "freeway Philharmonic"—I make living playing with the Fresno symphony, Marin symphony—any orchestra that you can get into and you drive from town to town. When I went to Europe I played in symphonies and I moved to Portugal for 3 years and played with a chamber orchestra there."
Read all the interview with Anthony here. Another interview here.
Anthony Blea y su Charanga : Virgen de la Caridad (2004)
Anthony Blea y su Charanga
A world class band by any standards, Anthony Blea y su Charanga ( formerly known as Charanson) has been consistently rocking the Bay Area for 9 years with their unique brand of Afro-Cuban salsa. Featuring some of the hottest young artists on the salsa music scene today, their debut CD, “ Virgen de la Caridad “, is a testament to this San Francisco based band’s depth. Combining the traditional Charanga instrumentation ( violin , flute) with a driving horn section, Anthony Blea y su Charanga will satisfy any true music lover’s fantasy.
Conceived in 1995 by Violinist Anthony Blea and former bassist Mike Madrigal , the band quickly became a favorite of the sophisticated Bay Area salsa music world. This band may very well be San Francisco’s , not to mention the salsa world’s, best kept secret. Anthony Blea y su Charanga will keep you glued to the dance floor with their hard hitting style and keep you coming back for more. Leader/Violinist Anthony Blea is a veteran of the salsa music community in San Francisco as well as New York City. Starting with Tipica Cienfuegos at the age of 15 and later a founding member of Batachanga, Anthony was well prepared to tackle New York. Attending the Manhattan School of Music by day and moonlighting it with New York’s finest Charanga bands at night, he gained valuable experience and payed his dues and earned much respect in the business.
After returning to San Francisco with a Bachelor’s Degree, Anthony concentrated his focus on getting his Master’s Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. With his education firmly in place, he went on to tour Europe with the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa for 4 years. Realizing that there was something missing from his life, Anthony came back to San Francisco to continue his salsa legacy. Anthony brings all of his training, experience and passion to the bandstand every time he plays.
Complimenting Anthony’s prodigious skills are the finest musicians to be had in the Bay-Area. The Rhythm section consists of Marco Diaz on Piano and Saul Sierra on Bass. These two musicians represent the youth and vigor in the evolving sound of Afro-Cuban music in the Bay-Area. They also play with Jesus Diaz Y Su QBA and Vission Latina as well as being sought after by many other Bay-Area bands. On percussion we are fortunate to have two great artists. By way of Fresno Ca. We have Javier Navarrette on Conga. Javier is part of the new generation of percussionists that grew up with an ear favoring modern Cuban music ( Timba ) and an admiration for percussionists such as Giovanni Hidalgo and Changuito to name only a few. On timbales we have Cuban born Carlos Caro. Caro is a rare talent who is comfortable on many percussion instruments as well as composing music, his professionalism and experience are an asset to the band. Pulling up the horn section is Bill Ortiz on trumpet ( Santana , Lavay Smith ). Bill is a world class trumpet player that swings in any style and possesses his own unique sound. On trumpet and trombone we have Ross Wilson, Ross is one of the rare horn players who plays trumpet and trombone equally well and can change between the two instruments at the drop of a hat. Juan Ceballos plays flute and helps out on coro , Juan brings decades of experience to the bandstand. On vocals, Orlando Torriente adds an excitement to the band with his street edged pregones combined with his natural connection with the audience. Together, this combination of musicians create a unique sound that is both familiar and brand new. Pickup their debut CD while it’s hot off the press. Also featured on the project are legendary musicians Alfredo de la Fe on Violin and Jimmy Bosch on Trombone, check it out!
Peace, Love and Charanga,
Anthony
From Salsa2Europe
The best of luck for the charangueros!