Israel “Cachao” López was born in Havana, Cuba, in September 14, 1918 and died in March 22, 2008.
He was known as “Cachao”. A Cuban mambo musician, bassist and composer, he helped bring mambo music to popularity in the United States in the 1950s.

In his last years he became the most important living figure in Cuban music. He was regarded as the most important bassist in twentieth-century popular music. He innovated the Cuban music and influenced the now familiar bass lines of American R&B.

El Cachao has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, won several Grammy Awards and has been described as “the inventor of the mambo”. He is also considered a master of descarga (Latin jam sessions).

The name Cachao is “La Mata”, “The Tree”, from this tree rooted in the deepest traditions of Cuban music everything in modern Cuban music, music known to many as Salsa stems.

Cachao left Cuba in 1962. First he spent two years in Spain and then came to New York City. There he performed with mambo bands led by Tito Rodríguez, José Fajardo and Eddie Palmieri. For decades, he worked almost entirely as a sideman.
Then, he moved to Las Vegas and then to Miami. Cachao made only three albums as a leader between 1970 and 1990.

In 1990, Andy García, who is a longtime fan of Cachao’s music, organized recording sessions with leading Cuban musicians and a tribute concert for Cachao in Miami: “Master Sessions Volume 1” and “Master Sessions Volume 2”.

Afterwards, Andy García produced two more albums for Cachao, “Cuba Linda” (2000) and the Grammy-winning “Ahora sí” (2004)

“He leaves with us a legacy of extraordinary trendsetting music, and an unequaled example of humanity, that was a gift to all of us, who had the good fortune and honor to experience.”
Andy García

With renewed recognition, Cachao spent the 1990’s and 2000’s touring and recording worldwide and collecting awards.

There are two main documentaries about El Cachao, “Cachao, Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos” and was released in the 1990’s and “Cachao: Uno Más” which will be released in April of 2008.

“I consider our collaboration and friendship one of most important accomplishments of my life. Cachao is our musical father. He is revered by all who have come in contact with him and his music and is referred to simply as El Maestro. He has been honored around the world and has his rightful place in the Smithsonian Institute.”
Andy García

Needless to say, Andy García is a proud member of the Cachao Orchestra.

-

*** Visit VayaSpanish.com for more content revolving around the Spanish language, culture, and more! ***

Related Links, Resources, and Other Points of Interest:

* The King of Mambo experiences a career revival-at age 89!
* Israel “Cachao” López dies
* Cachaito López biograhpy
* Mambo Jumbo
* “Cachao” gets Star on Walk of Fame
* Cachao discography
* El Cachao filmography
* Gloria Estefan biography
* La vida es un carnaval! Celia Cruz
* The Latino Vote, who do you prefer?
* Latin American Music

VayaSpanish.com | (646) 922-4630 | thevayaexperience@vayaspanish.com

The following are some practical tips on how to keep the youth in our hearts. I hope you like them and put them in practice. I will try to put them in practice in my daily life as well!!

1.Throw away nonessential numbers:Such as the height, weight or age. They don’t really matter. Take care of them but don’t drown in them. The age, specially, doesn’t matter because it is just a number, don’t you think? What matters is your attitude in life.

2 the simple things:Life is full of wonderful small things; all-together is what give us the day a day experience in our lives. Enjoy each of these small experiences and learn how to ignore what you don’t like or bothers you.

3. Keep only cheerful friends:Those friends who are only complaining pull you down. And this goes to you and to me as well; having good energy around you is essential to attract and to have what you want in your life.

4. Keep learning:Never let the brain get idle. Learn whatever you feel like, from computer, to arts or gardening; etc. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s! Nobody wants that! Information is now more available than ever and we should take advantage of that.

5. Laugh often, long and loud:If you have friends or family who make you laugh, spend lots of time with them! Laugh as much as possible, and have as much fun as possible. Life is short, very short; we don’t have time for bad or upsetting moments.

6.When tears happen:Endure, grieve, and move on. LIVE while you are alive. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is you. Give yourself time to grieve, and time to move on.

7.Surround yourself with what you love:Your home is your refuge. Whether it is family, music, plants, art, hobbies, remembrances, make your world the way you want it to be. What about your relationship with God?

8.Cherish your health:If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. If you have health, you can have everything; from love to money. Everything. Take good care of it.

9.Don’t take guilt trips:Take a trip to the mall, to other estate or even to a foreign country. Don’t take a trip to where the guilt is.If you feel guilty about something, then take action to remove that guilt from your spirit. Work to have a free and happy spirit, as much as possible.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity:Love, as we all know, is the biggest type of energy that moves the world, moves our lives and our countries. Since life is that short, we should show and express love to those we love.

Don’t take time for granted. Time goes by fast. If you would like to learn more about how to stay young, check out the recommended links I have included at the end of this article. I found them quite interesting! Do you have more tips on how to keep us young? Living in our society, how do you think we can keep young? What special challenges do you feel exist where you live? Do you believe city life is more stressful and lends to the aging process? We would like to hear your advice and opinions, as well as your own personal experiences!!

–

*** Visit VayaSpanish.com for more great content revolving around the Spanish language, culture, and more! ***

Related Links, Resources, and Other Points of Interest:

* RealAge.com: You Staying Young
* RevolutionHealth.com
* Chopra Presents Ideas For Growing Younger
* What Is Your Real Age? (A Test)
* Latin-American Music: A Brief Look At Spanish In Motion
* Free Hugs Campaign (Cute Polar Bear Picture Inside!)
* What Is Love Really?
* Superstition: Are You A Believer?
* Chun Guy On Warren Buffet (How To Be Wealthy AND Humble)

VayaSpanish.com | (646) 922-4630 | thevayaexperience@vayaspanish.com

What party do you think they lean to, the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?

Hispanics are the nation’s largest and fastest growing minority group. There are now 46% million of them and that means that it makes up about 15% of the U.S. population.
However, in 2008 Latinos will comprise to about 9% of the eligible electorate nationwide, since a lot of them are not citizen or are not yet 18 years old.

Vying for the Latino vote:

The Hispanic vote is neither homogenous nor loyal to one party. Though the current political moment seems to favor the Democratic Party, the affinity should not be taken for granted.
Some surveys show that most of the Latinos view the Democratic Party as the one that shows more concern for them and it does a better job in the issue of illegal immigration. Even though some of the Latinos see no difference between the parties on these matters.

Too young to vote or ineligible:

The Latinos vote in this country is considered a “swing vote” in this year presidential elections. Latinos constitute a sizable share of the electorate in states like New Mexico, Florida, Nevada and Colorado. All four states are expected to be contest very closely in 2008.
Therefore this booming Latino population in political swing states is creating opportunities and headaches in both political parties as they try to court the Latino vote. Presidential candidates from both parties have to fully embrace the importance of the Latino vote.

Latino Vote 2004 campaings:

“Democrats have traditionally enjoyed a strong advantage among Hispanic voters, though Mr. Bush changed all that, gaining 35 percent in 2000 and as much as 44 percent in 2004. Two years later, however, Republicans’ support among Hispanics collapsed under the weight of the immigration debate, falling to 30 percent for Republican congressional candidates”

Despite the furor over immigration, that issue might not be the most important to Latino voters. Education, the Iraq war, the economy and health care my take precedence over immigration.
“It is important to distinguish issues that matter to the Latino community versus the issues that matter to Latino voters. Those are not the same”.

To learn about the Latino issues, here there are two interesting sites to look at:

http://www.progressnow.org/policy/67/latinohispanic-issues

http://www.house.gov/baca/hotissues/latino.htm

The question for you is: Who do you think is going to win the Latino vote, the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?
Give us your reasons about what you think? They will sure be very interesting and helpful for all of us!!

What are you, democrat or republican? Do you have any other party? Why are you one of the above? Or perhaps you are none of he above?

The three main candidates in the political scene are:

Barack Obama

A Democrat, young, and charismatic man, the U.S. senator from Illinois, 46 years old; he has won the hearts and hopes of lots of people.

Since announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care as his top three priorities.

Here is what he has said in one of his speeches:

“ We now face an opportunity, and an obligation, to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday’s health care debates… My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of he 45 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness”
Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, May 29, 2007

Among his books are:

• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.
• Dreams from my Father: A Story Of Race And Inheritance.
• Barack Obama in His Own Words.
• Barach Obama: Speeches 2002-2006
• Lobbying Reform: Congressional Ethics in the Wake of Scandal.
• Otieno jarieko
• The State of Black America: Portrait of the Black Male

What comments do you have about Barack Obama? Why do you think he should or should not be the next president of the United States?

If you would like to read more about Barack Obama, here there is an informative link you may look at:

read this link

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in October 26, 1947, the 60 years old senator from New York was the First Lady of the Unites States twice (1993-2001).
A Democrat, she is also an attorney from Wellesley College Yale Law School. She is a Christian (United Methodist) and is the spouse of former president Bill Clinton.

Among the issues she has emphasized are:

1.Iraq: Decrease U.S. troops levels and bring war to end.
2.Health care:
• Provide insurance for all Americans.
• Create health-care tax credits for individuals and small business to offset cost of insurance.
3.Energy/ Environment: Reduce American dependence on foreign oil by at least 50 percent by 2025.
4.Immigration: Add more border security, particularly on the Northern border.
5.Gay Marriage/Abortion:
• Opposes gay marriage, but supports same-sex civil unions.
• Pro-choice
6.Foreign Relations/National Security: Reignite diplomatic efforts in global hotspots.

Among her quotes are:

“There cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard. There cannot be democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. There cannot be true democracy unless all citizens are able to participate fully in the lives of their country”.

“The challenges of change are always hard. It is important that we beging to unpack those challenges that confront this nation and realize that we each have a role that requires us to change and become more responsible for shaping our own future”.

“I’m sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you are not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we’re Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration”

Now, the same question goes for Hillary: why do you think she should or should not be the next president of the United States? What comments do you have about her?

For more information about Hillary Clinton, you may go to the following link:

read this link

John McCain

Senator from Arizona, he was born on August 29, 1936. A Republican, this 71 year old, man is a Naval aviator and a Politician. He is a Baptist. His net Worth is of $23-36 million (USD).
He is also a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s 1st district.

Below there are some of his quotes:

“I am a Republican. I’m loyal to the party of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. And I believe that my party, in some ways, hast strayed from those principles, particularly on the issue of fiscal discipline”.

“I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also”>

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater that yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return”.

Once again, why do you think John McCain should or should not be the next president of the United States? What is your opinion about him?

If you would like to read about this candidate and what are his main issues, you may go to the following website:

read this link

To learn more about the Republican candidate, you may go to the following link:

read this link

We can’t wait for your opinions. Your input will be very valuable to all of us!!!!

Life is a carnival!

Born in October 21, 1925, she was a Cuban-American singer who spent most of her career living in New Jersey, working in the United States and several Latin American countries.

Some have said that she is indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music. The New York Times called her “one of the world’s great singers” and various specialized publications have named her the best female vocalist in the United States on a number of years. She is called “the queen of salsa”, with her catchy Afro-Cuban rhythms she won several generations of listeners.

In 1966 Cruz joined the orchestra of Tito Puente, with whom she has performed many times. Before that, she also worked with other bands, including the Cuban top dance band La Sonora Matancera where she was hired, in 1965, to be the lead singer. The band and Cruz left the island soon before Fidel Castro took power. She never came back. After leaving Cuba she decided to settle in the United States.

She found the style that would define the rest of her career in the 1970s, when she worked with an independent label called Fania. Stars like Rubén Blades, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco and Hector Lavoe were some of the Fania All Stars. At that time the term “salsa” was coined and Celia earned the respect of its players and its fans as well.

Cruz has recorded many, many albums. In 1995 she released her seventy-fourth “Irrepetible”. She has also wan Grammies, 10 times, and other musical awards, made successful tours and had been honored at special concerts, including the sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City on her birthdays.
She died in July 16, 2003 when she was 78 years old, of a cancerous brain tumor at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

So, after this brief biography and introduction about Celia Cruz to you, I would like to ask you some questions:

• Did you know about Celia Cruz and her music?

• What is your opinion about this artist?

• What else do you know about her?

• Do you think that she stands out from other Latin artists or not?

What else do you have to say? We can’t wait to have your input!!

Some great links to learn more about Celia Cruz are:

read this link

read this link

read this link

read this link

Warren Edward Buffet was born in August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska. He is an American investor, businessperson and philanthropist.

Below there is a wonderful note about him; I hope that you like it!

There was a one-hour interview in CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world, who donated $31 thousand million dollars for charity.

Here there are some very interesting aspects from his life:

1. He bought his first share/stock when he was eleven years old and he regrets starting too late!

2. He bought his small farm when he was fourteen years old with his savings coming from distributing newspapers.

3. He still lives in the same small three-bedrooms house in Omaha that bought after getting married fifty years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house doesn’t have any wall or bars surrounding it.

4. He drives his own car everywhere and he doesn’t go around with a driver or a bodyguard.

5. He never travels in a private jet, despite being the owner of one of the biggest private jet companies in the world.

6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, is owner of 63 companies. Every year, he sends the CEOs of these companies just one letter, giving them the goals of the year. He never summons them to meetings or calls them regularly.

He has given the CEOs two rules:

a. Not to lose the stockholders/shareholders’ money.
b. Not to forget rule number one.

7. He doesn’t socialize with people from the high society. His hobby when he arrives home is to prepare popcorn for himself and to watch television.

8. Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, met him barely five years ago. Bill Gates thought that he didn’t have anything in common with Warren Buffet. Because of this, he scheduled a meeting so that it could last only half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting last ten hours and Bill Gates became Warren Buffet devout.

9. Warren Buffet doesn’t go around with a cell phone and he doesn’t have a computer on his desk.

His advice for young people: Get away from the credit cards and invest in yourself.

Remember:

• Money doesn’t create the man, it was the man who created money.

• Life is as simple as you make it.

• Don’t do what others say. Listen to them, but do what makes you feel better.

• Don’t let yourself get tricked by brands. Put on the things which make you feel more comfortable.

• Don’t spend your money on unnecessary things. Spend it in those that you really need.

• Your life is your own thing, why allow others to manage it?

What is your opinion about Warren Buffet? Have you read about him or have you just heard about him? In your opinion, what makes him different to other millionaires in the world?

If you want to read about this amazing person, below there are two websites with Mr. Buffett’s biography. I hope that you find them interesting!!

* A Warren Buffett Bio
* Salon Presents: Warren Buffett

…And, here, you’ll find a great CNN article about Warren Buffett from two years ago:

CNN: Charity Receives A Fortune

I have great admiration for this wonderful artist. I have grown up with her music and had enjoyed it up to today. I think that indeed she is one of the biggest new stars to emerge during the mid-eighties. It is my pleasure to have an entry of her in my blog.

Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo García, her maiden name, was born on September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba.She is a wonderful singer-songwriter, and actress and a writer. When singing her genre is pop music, rock music, and pop rock, dance pop, Latin pop and dance music.

Gloria Estéfan plays the guitar, percussion and vocals. She has been active since 1977 to present and she is associated with Emilio Estéfan Jr. and Miami Sound Machine. Her label is Sony BMG/Epic.
Gloria is known as the “Queen of Latin Pop” and she is a five-time Grammy Award-wining Cuban American singer and songwriter. She has also a number of hits on the pop, dance, adult contemporary, and Latin and salsa charts.

She and her parents moved to Miami, Florida, when she was 16 months old, following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Gloria was raised primarily in Miami and attended the University of Miami. She graduated in 1978 with a degree in communications and psychology.

As a child Gloria liked to write poetry and she took classical guitar lessons. She once said: “When my father was ill, music was my escape. I would lock myself up in my room for hours and just sing. I wouldn’t cry..I refused to cry..Music was the only way I had to just let go, so I sang for fun and or emotional catharsis”

Gloria’s first public musical performance was at a Cuban wedding. Emilio Estéfan, his future husband, asked her to join what was then called “The Miami Latin Boys”.

That band later changed its name to Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estéfan joined it. The Miami Sound Machine first met with success between 1981 and 1983 in Spanish-speaking countries, having dozen of hit songs around the world, particularly in Venezuela, Panama, Honduras and Peru. At that time the group enjoyed little recognition in the United States. Gloria Estéfan gradually became the star attraction.

“As one of the biggest new stars to emerge during the mid-eighties, singer Gloria Estefan predated the coming Latin por explosion by a decade, scoring a series of propulsive dance hits rooted in rhythms of her native Cuba before shifting her focus to softer, more ballad-oriented fare.”

Her discography is amazing; some of her greatest productions are the following:

• 2007 90 Millas (Walmart Exclusive)
• 2007 90 Millas
• 2006 Greatest Hits (SACD)
• 2006 Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos
• 2004 Amor y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos
• 2003 Unwrapped (Bonus DVD)
• 2003 Unwrapped
• 2001 Greatest Hits, Vol 2
• 2000 Alma Caribeña
• 2000 Tres Gotas de Agua Bendita
• 2000 No Me Dejes de Querer (US)
• 1998 Gloria!
• 1997 No Pretendo
• 1996 Gloria! (Japan Bonus Track)
• 1996 Destiny (Bonus Track)
• 1996 Destiny
• 1996 You’ll Be Mine (Party Time)
• 1995 Abriendo Puertas
• 1994 Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me
• 1994 Turn the Beat Around
• 1993 Mi Tierra
• 1993 Christmas Through Your Eyes
• 1992 Greates Hits
• 1991 Into the Light (Bonus Track)
• 1991 Into the Light
• 1989 Cuts Both Ways
• 1987 Let it Loose
• 1985 Primitive Love
• 1984 Eyes of Innocence
• 1984 A Toda Máquina
• 1982 Río
• 1981 Otra Vez
• 1980 MSM
• 1979 Imported
• 1978 Miami Sound Machine
• 1977 Renacer

Do you like Gloria Estefan? Have you ever been to one of her concerts? What do you think of the amazing artist?

If you would like to read more about her, the following are two of her main
Websites:

* http://www.gloriaestefan.com/index3.html
* http://www.90millas.com/