Carlos Santana and Latin Jazz Artists Protest Grammy Awards Cuts to Ethnic Music Categories

Friday, May 27, 2011

It was announced last month by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) that Latin Jazz and other ethnic categories would be cut from consideration for the 2012 Grammy nominations.

Carlos Santana, Paul Simon and Herbie Hancock expressed their support that the categories be reinstated in a letter to the Recording Academy on Thursday.

“We will not be disenfranchised,” the letter states, reports the Associated Press.

Yesterday protests by Latin Jazz artists took place in Los Angeles to demand the Recording Academy reinstate more than 30 categories to the Grammy Awards. Last year there were 109 categories and now they are just 78. Latin Jazz was left out.

Wielding signs reading “Grammys Honor All Music” and “It’s Not Just About Rap, Rock or Country,” the musicians claimed that the reductions discriminatorily targeted ethnic music.

Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow, says that the changes will make the awards more competitive and that the protesters concerns will be reviewed.

Carlos Santana expressed his concern in the letter to the Academy:

“To remove Latin Jazz and many other ethnic categories is doing a huge disservice to the brilliant musicians who keep the music vibrant for their fans — new and old. … We strongly protest this decision and we ask you to represent all of the colors of the rainbow when it comes to music and give ethnic music a place in the heart of music lovers everywhere”

What do you think? Should Latin Jazz be a category for the Grammy’s still?

John ;-)

@RitmoBello

Salsa Susie’s Ooh La La Dance Team Competing on America’s Got Talent

Monday, May 23, 2011

The season premiere of NBC’s America’s Got Talent airs Tuesday, May 31st at 8pm and San Diego’s Ooh La La Cosabellas were hand-selected to audition for the show.  Salsa Susie, director of the group,  has worked hard over the last few years preparing her dance teams and it looks like the hard work is paying off in a big way.  The picture above and video below show some highlights of the dance team’s competition.

Along with competing on network TV, Ooh La La is  hosting a huge FREE event for the San Diego dance community in the form of a “Day of Dance & Wellness”.  As Salsa Susie describes it herself, the event is her way to thank everyone that has allowed Ooh La La to continue with great success:

“I’m giving back to the community and really want the San Diego Salsa & Latin Community to be able to enjoy what dance & wellness has brought to my life.”

I’ve included a schedule below outlining some of the events Ooh La La will be hosting on Saturday June 11th:

For more information on the event please contact Susie directly at her website, OohLaLaDanceCompany.com.

See you all on June 11th!

John ;-)

@RitmoBello

Upgraded Websites and Content Help Boost Local San Diego Salsa Teams

Friday, May 20, 2011

Many of San Diego’s dance teams and studios have been busy upgrading their online presence over the last few months.  If you’ve visited David and Jennifer Stein’s MajestyinMotion.com, for example, you’ll notice the new upgraded feel of their website.  The site is simple yet elegant and gets you the information you need about the organization.

Deseo Dance also upgraded their online image recently with a new website that integrates the essential information you need along with a sleek presentation.  Some of the video links are still being upgraded but overall it looks like a great start to match Deseo’s powerful image.

Other dance studios and teams are working with their established online presence, continuously adding new content that is appealing.  Salsa Susie’s Ooh La La Dance offers easy ways to reach information and in particular videos of performances in case you missed a recent competition on their nice website.

If you know of any other salsa teams or groups upgrading their online image let us know so we can share with the whole San Diego salsa scene.

John ;-)

@RitmoBello

John F. Bello

Meet John ;-)

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