Home | Nuevotec Productions | Video Gallery | Salsamentary (a documentary) | Subscribe via RSS | Photo Gallery

Henry Knowles talks about the New Swing Sextet with Duplessey Monic Walker

Posted on June 29th, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

“The Rip Van Winkle Story” of salsa.  At the Stardust NY Meets Philly Social on 6/28, the talented Duplessey Monic Walker had a chance to talk with world renowed DJ Henry Knowles about the new album from New Swing Sextet, Back On The Streets (A Taste of Spanish Harlem, Vol 2).   This album comes a full 35 years after their previous album.  What’s old is new again!  Henry was the executive producer behind the album, and worked with coproducer Willy Torres.

You can buy New Swing Sextet (NSS)’s album at CD Universe or Amazon CD Store (I imagine it will be on the iTunes store or Amazon MP3 store or CDBaby.com any day now)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Salsa | No Comments »
Permanent Link


Similar Posts



New Swing Sextet - Back On The Streets - CD Release Party - June 30 - Taj Lounge, NY

Posted on June 29th, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

Update - Go to our video gallery from the New Swing Sextet - Back on the Streets. Watch our highlights video which includes short interviews and performances.

New Swing Sextet - Back On The Streets - 2008 Poster Go ahead George (Rodriguez), play those vibes!  Nearly 30 years after the group split up, the legendary New Swing Sextet (NSS) returns with their new album, “Back on the Streets - A Taste of Spanish Harlem, Volume 2″. The new CD includes some old and new tracks.  Some of our favorites include “El Raton” (with some hiphop vibe from Alejandro Rodriguez, “Flight” (instrumental latin jazz written by Jesus Santiago), and “Bobo Tu Te Quedaras”.  Unfortunately one of their standout songs, “My Favorite Things”, that is loved worldwide did not make the album. Thanks to NSS executive producer and DJ Henry Knowles for our copy. All the songs are very danceable and have the latin jazz, pop, and boogaloo that the New Swing Sextet are known for.A brief history of the group goes a little like this (paraphrased from the “Back to the Street” liner notes): The group made its debut in the Singer Bowl at the last New York World’s Fair in 1965.  The band played in the golden era of Latin music.  The original band had a successful 15 year run before splitting up in 1979.  Some 20 years later, some friends asked the members to play for an event.  They received a great reception, and the rest is history.  What’s old is new again!  They are in demand throughout the world, having played in countries such as Switzerland, Spain, the UK, and in their home of New York, and the West Coast (LA and San Francisco).

The New Swing Sextet’s CD release party is this Monday, June 30 (sorry for the short notice!) at the at the Taj Lounge on 48 West 21st Street, New York, New York 10001.Cost is $6 before 7 PM / $12 after 7 PM.  We’ll be there covering the event, so please say hi!The album includes one of the original members from the 1960s, George Rodriguez, plus artists such as Joe Mannozzi, Jr. on the piano, Hector Ortiz on the timbales/bongos, and Angel Justiniano on the congas.
Salsa Central Review (Sizzla) of the New Swing Sextet - Back to the Streets album Salsa Central Interview with New Swing Sextet members George Rodriguez, Angel Justiniano, and Jesus (”Jay”) Santiago
Below are some videos of several groups that have used New Swing Sextet tracks.
Clavekazi - New Swing Sextet - “Revolucionando” Caribbean Soul - New Swing Sextet - “El Raton”
Armando & Andrea - “My Favorite Things”  

Tags: , ,
Posted in Salsa | No Comments »
Permanent Link


Similar Posts



NY Salsa at the Stardust in South Jersey

Posted on June 26th, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

NY Salsa at the Stardust 20080628

New York invades the Stardust!  The Stardust Ballroom is a longtime attraction for salsa dancers in the Philly, South Jersey, and Delaware area. Dress to impress socials are held twice a month every 2nd and 4th Saturday.   On June 28, event organizer Paul Loftland of Paul Loftland Photography is bringing world renowed DJ Henry Knowles, Duplessey Walker, Melanie Torres, and Sabor Latina for some New York flavor.

In demand throughout the world for his extensive knowledge of salsa music as a DJ and promoter, Henry Knowles also manages several artists including the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and New Swing Sextet (who are releasing a new album after many years, entitled “Back on the Streets”).  Duplessey Walker is a classically trained ballet, jazz, and modern dancer, with a master’s degree in psychology.  Her mambo career started with her uncle, Eddie Torres, and she is known for her fierce and sexy styling (indeed she’s a salsa diva).  Melanie Torres also has tremendous salsa/mambo roots in her family as her dad is also Eddie Torres.   She is the founder of Dance On 2 studio in New York, and the director of the Sabor Latina Dance Team.

The Stardust Ballroom is located at 363 W. Browning Rd in Bellmawr, NJ (contact them at 856-673-0700 or at http://www.salsaflava.com)

Our salsa media peers at MamboNYC (Waygee Ho and Jazz Bianchi) have interviewed both Duplessey Walker and Melanie Torres extensively (over 20 minutes a video) in their salsa divas series.

MamboNYC interview with Duplessey-Monic Walker
MamboNYC interview with Melanie Torres

Duplessey & Braniff interview (by Nick Padin)

Duplessey Walker and Braniff Pinzas social dance

Paul Loftland interview by DJ Sazam

Thoughts on the Stardust Grand Reopening 12/2007

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Salsa | No Comments »
Permanent Link


Similar Posts



NY/NJ Salsa Open 2008

Posted on June 15th, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

NY-NJ Salsa Open 2008 Griselle Ponce is hosting the New York & New Jersey Salsa Open competition. The event will send dancers to the Puerto Rico Salsa Open in July. The NJ qualifying rounds start on Tuesday, 6/17 and 6/24 at 46 Lounge, 300 US Highway 46 in Totowa. The NY qualifying rounds start on Thursday, 6/26 at Club Cache, 221 W 46th St, and Sunday, 6/29 at Iguana Lounge on 240 West 54th St.

Click here for the finals performance of the 2004 Puerto Rico World Salsa Open champions, Liz Lira and Salomon Rivera.  Past champions include Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroitor from Australia, and current 2007 defending champion Adrian Rodriguez and Anita Santos from Spain. The World Salsa Open also includes a junior division for those under 18 years of age.  For more information, go to the official 12th Puerto Rico Salsa Congress website.

Eli Izarry and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company produced the below video on the 2007 open champions, Adrian and Anita from Spain.

Tags: ,
Posted in Salsa | No Comments »
Permanent Link


Similar Posts