Why doesn't Miami have a good/great latin music scene?

[OLSONGO]

Tone74, I read the blog... And from a very good source; I was told to that Manolin is a very complex and problematic individual and not very diplomatic at that. As you can see , he likes to get involved in political commentary ; instead sticking to what he knows best ..MUSIC.What he said about Gloria is not TRUE. I personally have seen her singing with Albita , and Francisco Cespedes. All I can say , is that you have to look at both sides of the coin, and reach your own conclusions.
Peace
Olsongo

[TONE74]

I agree Olsongo, I always look at both sides of the coin. The Gloria thing does not concern me I never been into her music. I have noticed though that they are very careful who they let in their circle and Albita and Cespedes, Willy Chirino etc are I guess are safe bets to them.
I still agree with him though not on everything but in most of what he says. His involvement in political commentary came from the Paulito FG situation. Both of them tried to make a point that it was about the "music" and the only thing the media cared about was the political side of things. He expressed his opinion and got burned for it. I admire that because he stood up for what he believed in which wasn't a communist view at all . I've been to Miami and know the mentality many people there have and that's why its not hard for me to believe what he is saying.
Every Cuban artist that makes it to Miami gets tested by the media and if they don't say what they are expected to say its over for them.

[OLSONGO]

Tone, we have to look at it this way...if you are a Cuban who after years of working hard for what you had, a business, a home , material things etc..and a established position in the society of the time. And then a man comes from out of the hills and runs you out of your country , with no diplomatic stance whatsoever, killing, torturing, and putting people in jail for years; because of a different political viewpoint. I guess I would also hate anything that had to do with it. From my understanding...Manolito while in Miami spoke well of Fidel and that is something you never do and expect to get somewhere. And we can't say that well... that it should't be like that, Cubans against Cubans...because we as Americans have been doing the same thing for ages and are the ones the set the example.

Paz
Olsongo

[vinnieL]

Unfortunately the politics are affecting the music and that shouldn't be. I will agree that if he spoke favorably of Fidel that would pretty much ruin him in Miami. The bottom line though is our music is dying off all over the place not just Miami. The young people today could care less they are into electronics and reggaeton (which i detest) with only a few young men and women carrying the torch but sooner or later it will die off unfortunately.

[OLSONGO]

May be the music we know as " Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Samba, etc. may die or have a minority in appeal, other styles will take its place as you say Vinnie mierdaton.. sorry reggetton, Its just part of the evolution, but the drum will always be. As I recall , when I first fell in love with its sound, around 1970 many styles and players had come and gone, and Santana was ruling the airwaves with a mediocre percussion line, Armando and Orestes were not there yet. Though I still loved the sound of hand on skin. Yesterday I played an event , very open to the public and if you could see it ...at one time I had about 20 kids surrounding me, not the guitar player or the bass, or sax...they came straight at the percussionist, wanting to touch, grab and hit anything they could, I just loved it as if someone had lit a fire inside of me and 90 % percent of this kids were white coming from a "yupy" background. It came to a stop when some of the parents, felt it was wrong and pulled them away. Parents who failed to realize that childhood is the shortest moment of our lives. I just hope this kids will keep the flame going as many of the kids I see here in some of your photos hitting the drum.

Paz
Olsongo

[seisporocho1]

Olsongo,

Well said about the the kids. It is so important to let the child live its CHILDhood. It is that period that marks them forever. How many times have we heard percussionists say "I got into percussion when I was a kid. I saw someone play. And the sound and what I felt then...." etc. Some parents mistake the meaning of "growing up" and kill the spirit of the child at an early stage. So concerned with teaching them manners and proper behavior. I understand but the parent needs to have discretion and ability to judge when and where it is TRULY appropriate.
Your experience with the kids is what it's all about! I love that feeling. You know you marked them in some way forever.
Ache.