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Javier Arroyo, Salsa Night
Band’s lead singer and bandleader,
comes from a long heritage of musicians, deeply rooted in the
Puerto
Rican, Latin American and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Of the years growing up in his hometown (Manatí, Puerto Rico) he
fondly remembers the frequent evening gatherings of song and
rhyme, when his father and uncle’s played guitars, maracas and “cuatro”
(a native guitar-like instrument of Puerto Rico) and sang the
unforgettable and classic boleros, guarachas and rancheras. It
was at these reunions that Javier took his first steps as a
performer. The old guys would give him nickels and dimes to sing
their favorite songs.
But young Javier was most impressed with the ability of these
avid
improvisers to create and sing complex poetry, seemingly
effortlessly, that told stories in the style of Puerto Rican
folk music like “décima” and “seis chorreao”. This inspired him
to learn the art of improvisation and to become a songwriter.
When Javier listened to the music of Tito Rodriguez, Ismael
Rivera, El Gran Combo and the many icons of the Fania era, and
heard how classic and improvisational singing came together, he
discovered his passion for salsa. With the arrival of the new
millennium also came Javier’s commitment to become a successful
solo artist. He knew that to accomplish his artistic goals he
had to record his songs.
By chance, at a gathering in Boston, he met renowned Latin
producer Israel Tanenbaum. They hit it off from the start, and
soon after, began working on Javier’s first single release,
“Puerto Rico”, written by Javier's friend, Miguel (Papito)
Colon,and Javier. The combination of its lyrics, filled with
heartfelt nostalgia, and a modern horn arrangement along with
the traditional Cuban “tres”,
made of this song an instant success in the Puerto Rican
community of New England. Local event promoters and radio
programmers took notice and “Javier Arroyo & Salsa Night Band”
debuted at the 2002 Puerto Rican Festival, Boston. The song,
“Puerto Rico” was also featured in the dance scene of the
independent film “Sidesitters” directed by Christopher Watkins.
Javier is a powerful and notable singer, who delivers a
passionate
performance filled with rhythm and melody, but mostly with love
for his art. Over the years, he has had the privilege of sharing
the Mic. with the likes of Adalberto Santiago, Willie Colón,
Luisito Ayala & Puerto Rican Power, Cano Estremera and El Gran
Combo. Javier Arroyo and the Salsa Night Band, under the
production of Israel Tanenbaum, and Jorge Najarro, has released
their first full
length CD in May 1st of 2009, and this production is having very
good reviews from all the media and DJ's. The production of ten
songs features arrangements by Israel Tanenbaum, Tony Perez,
Jorge Najarro, Ralph Morales and Tony Castillo.
Contact Javier
(508) 394-7196, (508) 778-9293, (508) 333-3376
bookings@salsanightband.com
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