The obligatory Christmas post Dec. 2010

"Gemas De Navidad!"
1960

("Gems of Christmas")Vinyl LP on the Cuban Gema label.

With several true gems.
Miguelito Cuní with Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria.
Elena Burke with Juanito Marquez on electric guitar.
(Elena Burke is amazing on this!)
Rolando La' Serie with Bebo Valdés.
Compay Segundo' with 'Amparito'.
And Fernando Alvarez.

There are 12 songs, even though the cover lists 11.
And also incorrectly lists Rolando La'Serie as the vocalist on #6, but it is it is Miguelito Cuní singing with 'Niño" Rivera's big band.

1. Esta Navidad - Rolando La'Serie.
2. Feliz Navidad - Fernando Alvarez.
3. Cancion De Pascuas - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
4. Tres Magos De Oriente - Compay Segundo y Amparito.
5. Invierno Y Navidad - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera
6. La Virgin Lloraba - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
7. Navidad Gris - Fernando Alvarez.
8. Lechon Y Guanajo - Rolando La'Serie.
9. La Mano De Dios - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
10. Villancici Guajiro - Compay Segundo y 'Amparito.
11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
12. Un Amor En Navida - Fernando Alvarez.

2. Feliz Navidad
Fernando Alvarez: voz

3. Cancion De Pascuas
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

6. La Virgin Lloraba
Miguelito Cuní con "Niño" Rivera y su Orq.

8. Lechon Y Guanajo
Rolando La'Serie con Bebo Valdés y su Orq.

9. La Mano De Dios
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente
Miguelito Cuní: voz & "Niño" Rivera: tres solo

"Festejando Navedad Con Celia Cruz"
Celia y La Sonora Matancera
1. Feliz Navidad

3. Jingle Bells

10. Rey De Los Cielos

The obligatory Christmas post Dec. 2009

"Gemas De Navidad!"
1960

("Gems of Christmas")Vinyl LP on the Cuban Gema label.

With several true gems.
Miguelito Cuní with Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria.
Elena Burke with Juanito Marquez on electric guitar.
(Elena Burke is amazing on this!)
Rolando La' Serie with Bebo Valdés.
Compay Segundo' with 'Amparito'.
And Fernando Alvarez.

There are 12 songs, even though the cover lists 11.
And also incorrectly lists Rolando La'Serie as the vocalist on #6, but it is it is Miguelito Cuní singing with 'Niño" Rivera's big band.

1. Esta Navidad - Rolando La'Serie.
2. Feliz Navidad - Fernando Alvarez.
3. Cancion De Pascuas - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
4. Tres Magos De Oriente - Compay Segundo y Amparito.
5. Invierno Y Navidad - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera
6. La Virgin Lloraba - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
7. Navidad Gris - Fernando Alvarez.
8. Lechon Y Guanajo - Rolando La'Serie.
9. La Mano De Dios - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
10. Villancici Guajiro - Compay Segundo y 'Amparito.
11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
12. Un Amor En Navida - Fernando Alvarez.

2. Feliz Navidad
Fernando Alvarez: voz

3. Cancion De Pascuas
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

6. La Virgin Lloraba
Miguelito Cuní con "Niño" Rivera y su Orq.

8. Lechon Y Guanajo
Rolando La'Serie con Bebo Valdés y su Orq.

9. La Mano De Dios
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente
Miguelito Cuní: voz & "Niño" Rivera: tres solo

"Festejando Navedad Con Celia Cruz"
Celia y La Sonora Matancera
1. Feliz Navidad

3. Jingle Bells

10. Rey De Los Cielos

The obligatory Christmas post Dec. 2013

"Gemas De Navidad!"
1960

("Gems of Christmas")Vinyl LP on the Cuban Gema label.

With several true gems.
Miguelito Cuní with Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria.
Elena Burke with Juanito Marquez on electric guitar.
(Elena Burke is amazing on this!)
Rolando La' Serie with Bebo Valdés.
Compay Segundo' with 'Amparito'.
And Fernando Alvarez.

There are 12 songs, even though the cover lists 11.
And also incorrectly lists Rolando La'Serie as the vocalist on #6, but it is it is Miguelito Cuní singing with 'Niño" Rivera's big band.

1. Esta Navidad - Rolando La'Serie.
2. Feliz Navidad - Fernando Alvarez.
3. Cancion De Pascuas - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
4. Tres Magos De Oriente - Compay Segundo y Amparito.
5. Invierno Y Navidad - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera
6. La Virgin Lloraba - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
7. Navidad Gris - Fernando Alvarez.
8. Lechon Y Guanajo - Rolando La'Serie.
9. La Mano De Dios - Elena Burke & Juanito Marquez.
10. Villancici Guajiro - Compay Segundo y 'Amparito.
11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente - Miguelito Cuní & "Niño" Rivera.
12. Un Amor En Navida - Fernando Alvarez.

2. Feliz Navidad
Fernando Alvarez: voz

3. Cancion De Pascuas
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

6. La Virgin Lloraba
Miguelito Cuní con "Niño" Rivera y su Orq.

8. Lechon Y Guanajo
Rolando La'Serie con Bebo Valdés y su Orq.

9. La Mano De Dios
Elena Burke: voz & Juanito Marquez: elec. guitar

11. Mi Nochebuena En Oriente
Miguelito Cuní: voz & "Niño" Rivera: tres solo

"Festejando Navedad Con Celia Cruz"
Celia y La Sonora Matancera
1. Feliz Navidad

3. Jingle Bells

10. Rey De Los Cielos

El "Niño" Rivera - "Y Su Conjband" - 1958 Cuba

'Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria' Y Su Conjband
Vinyl Panart - 1958

Cuban master tresero and composer, Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarría and his 1958 big band.

Great photo him in the Panart recording studio.
"Niño" Rivera was also a major figure within the "Filin" (feeling) music genré in Cuba during the late 50's into the 60's.
"Niño" Rivera is one of my three favorite tresero's.
His playing style and the way he tunes his tres is unlike anyone else.

"Montuno Alegre"

"No Tengo Espinas Ni Flores"

"JamaiCuba"

"Monte Adentro"

"Levántense Todos"



Original LP sold on Ebay for $408.00

Profiles in greatness: 'Florecita' Oscar Velasco O'Farrill - "Selected works"

'Florecita'
1938

Cuarteto Hatuey
1930's
Left to right:
Armando Dulfo, Evelio Machín,
Francisco "Compay Segundo" Repilado
Top: 'Florecita'

'Florecita' with El Conjunto Arsenio Rodriguez
1951
'Florecita' with El Conjunto Arsenio Rodriguez
1956

Lately I've been listening to a lot of music that has 'Florecita' playing trumpet, it is most often Felix Chappottin and Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros who get all the attention and notoriety and they absolutely deserve it, as they are both uniquely great "Cuban trumpet stylists".
But rarely is the uniquely stylized trumpet playing of Oscar Velasco O'Farrill a.k.a. 'Florecita' given recognition.

There is a well known "music critic" who has stated: "Felix Chappottin was the Louis Armstrong of Cuba", I disagree, if arguably any comparison may be made to a "Cuban Louis Armstrong"... the title would be better associated with Oscar Velasco O'Farrill.
'Florecita' was older then Chocolate, older then Felix Chappottin, a generation before both of them.
It is common to hear trumpet players in Cuba "quote" or play like Chappottin and it is also common to hear trumpet players who are influenced by Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros.

But you never hear anyone sound like, play like, or imitate 'Florecita', as he had a style and a sound totally unique and "soulfully Cuban".

Listen to Chappottin's early playing and the influence of 'Florecita' is clearly apparent. 
There are many great trumpet players who were/are incredible "stylists": Enrique Hernández, Lazaro “El Jabao” Herrera, Juanito Rodger, Armando "El Gorilla" Albertini , Chappottin, Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros, "El Guajiro" Mirabal, Gilberto Azcuy... all fabulous players within the "Son tipico" style, as opposed to El Negro" Vivar's "Cuban jazz" style or Julio Cuevas who I like and have always thought of as the Cuban Harry James.
But..... for me, 'Florecita' Oscar Velasco O'Farrill was "the Man".

There are other posts on this blog that have 'Florecita'

playing, but this post has some "selected works" that you can

distinctly hear Oscar Velasco O'Farrill's "style" and "sound".

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Me Dijo Que Sí Y Le Dije Que No 1951
'Florecita' short trumpet solo

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Guaragüí 1951
'Florecita' short trumpet solo

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Avaca De Maíz 1956
Comp: Silvano Shueg
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo near end

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Dame Tu Yoyo Ma Belen 1956 
'Florecita' : 3 short trumpet solos


* * * * *

 With Alberto Zayas' y Su Grupo
Las Jardineras
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo
Bongoes: Rogelio 'Yeyito' Iglesias


* * * * *

With Cheo Marquetti
Fuegos En Los Bomberos
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo.
Coro: Carlos Embale

With Cheo Marquetti
Hay Comentario
'Florecita' : two short trumpet solos.


* * * * *

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
El Diablo Tun Tun
'Florecita' : Trumpet
Contradiccion
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
Con Amor Todo Se Olvida
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní and Niño Rivera
Convergencia
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní and Niño Rivera
Lo Mismo
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
Donde Va Chichi
'Florecita' : Trumpet


* * * * *

From Festival In Havana
Ignacio Piñeiro: arranger/leader
Tumbando Caña 
 'Florecita' : Trumpet

From Festival In Havana
La Chambelona 
'Florecita' : Trumpet

From Festival In Havana
Tumba La Caña 
'Florecita' : Trumpet


* * * * *

With Enrique Jorrin and Odilio Urfé
Conga Del Senador
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Donde Va Maria 
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Bilongo
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Rumba
'Florecita' : Trumpet


Video of "Florecita" Here

Estrellas De Chocolate - Félix "Chocolate" Alfonso + Papi Oviedo & "Niño" Rivera - Cuba

Félix "Chocolate" Alfonso

Organized in 1959 by Félix "Chocolate" Alfonso (tumbadoras)

"Chino" León Lahera Wilson: vocal.
Arístides Valmaseda: vocal.
Agustín Cabrera: 2nd voice & guitar.
Filiberto Hernández Fuentes: 3rd voice.
Armando "El gorila" Albertini: trumpet & director.David Palomares: piano y co-director.
Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria: tres y arranger.
"Sergio de Cuba": bass.
"Pichi": bongoes.
A young Papi Oviedo In the 1960's on 'amplified' tres guitar.

Version # 1 of "La Brocha" 3;24
(Singer comes in :51 seconds into the song.)
Papi Oviedo: 'amplified' tres solo
Armando "El gorila" Albertini: trumpet

Version # 2 of "La Brocha" 4;25
(Singer comes in 1:40 into the song.)
Papi Oviedo: 'amplified' tres solo
Armando "El gorila" Albertini: trumpet

"Conjunto Estrellas De Chocolate"
Papi Oviedo : 'amplified' tres guitar.
1961

"Pa Los Rumberos Y... Otros Exitos"
Papi Oviedo : 'amplified' tres guitar.
Vinyl LP

4. Como el son montuno no hay

10. Prefiero el son

12. Pequeño mambo

15. Pa' los rumberos


"Fiesta Cubana"
The original 1960 Cuban pressing on Puchito
 Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria on tres guitar.

"Fiesta Cubana"
The same LP, an alternate Puchito pressing.
 Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria on tres guitar.

U.S. reissued cover of "Fiesta Cubana" 
renamed: "Guaguancó A Todos Los Barrios"

Andrés "Niño" Rivera Echevarria on tres guitar
*The song "Fania" is where the 'Fania' record label
took their name from.

"Fiesta En Curaçao"
196?
Papi Oviedo's tres playing and solos KILL on this LP

2. Ven y Ven

3. Tu y Yo

6. Para Gozar Yaguajay
 
7. Mi Celosa
 
10. Virgencita Ayudame
 
11. Pero No Come Pero
 

"Mi Son Pilón"
En vivo-live - LP 196?
Papi Oviedo : 'amplified' tres guitar.

2. La Celosa

6. Mañana Me Voy

8. Mi Son Pilón

9. Se Paso La Muchachita

10. Mira Que Eres Cruel


"En Vivo"
CD