Disney Latin America's Violetta Gives Free Concert
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Efrem Zimbalist Jr star of ‘The FBI,’ dead at 95 SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 38 The New Orleans Indian Rhythm Section, Algiers Warriors, and Young Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians parade at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on Friday, in New Orleans. — AP Cuban band leader Juan Formell dead at 71 uban band leader Juan Formell, a Abel Prieto, now an aide to President Raul Grammy-winning singer and bass play- Castro, and Cuban Vice-President Miguel Cer for Los Van Van orchestra whose mix- Diaz-Canel, both of whom attended the wake. ture of son and salsa earned the group the Raul Castro and former President Fidel nickname “the Cuban music train,” died in Castro both sent wreaths, the Communist Havana on Thursday. He was 71. Party newspaper Granma said on its website. The cause was liver disease, his family said. Formell first learned music from his father, Thousands of tearful mourners, many singing a flautist and pianist, later emerging as a com- Formell’s most popular songs, attended a poser and guitarist with Cuban musicians public wake in central Havana on Friday. such as Felix Guerrero, Rafael Somavilla, Havana-born Formell created Los Van Van in Armando Romeu, Antonio TaÒo y Orestes 1969 and won a Grammy in 1999 for the Urfe, according to the 1992 book, “The album “Van Van is Here.” He also won a Latin Dictionary of Cuban Music.” Grammy last year for musical excellence. In 1959, when Fidel Castro rose to power Los Van Van mixed son with salsa in a after the Cuban Revolution, Formell played musical style known in Cuba as songo. bass for the newly formed National Among the group’s hits were “El negro no Revolutionary Police. He later joined the tradi- tiene na’,” “Te traigo” and “Yuya Martinez.” An tional Cuban orchestras of Peruchin and urn with Formell’s cremains was put on dis- Rubalcaba and played cabaret music with the play at a theater, where musicians, politician orchestra Caribe. In 1968, he joined the cha- Disney Channel star Martina Stoessel, who portrays Disney’s “Violetta,” performs in Buenos Aires, and fans paid their respects. ranga group Reve, where he was credited Argentina, Friday. Stoessel said she offered the free concert for all her fans as a way of thanking them for “To me, he was a master, a friend, a broth- with innovating that style of music. their support after a 200-show world tour. The 17-year-old Argentine singer-actress has seen her fame sky- er and even a father,” said the musician Cesar “His works are classics with the repertoire rocket since Disney picked her for the role of “Violetta”, the main character from the Disney Channel televi- “Puppy” Pedroso, 69, a Los Van Van band mate of popular Caribbean music,” the late Helio sion series. — AP for 35 years. Orovio, author of “The Dictionary of Cuban “He was a man with a big heart and always Music,” said in the book. — Reuters open to teaching younger musicians,” said Pavel Molina, 38, a member of Los Van Van for Disney Latin America’s 11 years. Formell toured throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and the United States, always returning to Cuba despite the economic trou- Violetta gives free concert bles of the Communist-ruled island. That loy- alty won praise from former Culture Minister free concert by the teen who portrays Disney’s “Violetta” on Friday drew an estimated 250,000 fans Ain Argentina’s capital, especially young girls eager to see their idol. “Violetta” is a major hit for Disney-Latin America and fans flocked to the city’s Palermo district where Martina Stoessel will sing and dance. The 17-year- old Argentine singer-actress has seen her fame skyrocket since Disney picked her for the role. She also sings the Spanish version of “Let it Go,” the Oscar-winning song from the hit movie “Frozen.” She said before Friday’s concert that entertaining fans in a major intersection in the city’s Palermo district is her way of thanking them after a 200- show world tour. Her fans greeted her by waving flags and donning shirts and hats with her image in what seemed like a huge purple tide from above the stage located in Buenos Aires’ main avenues. Seven-year-old Mora Arias said the excitement of seeing her favorite singer in person had kept her up the night before. “I watch the series, but I like her more as a singer. I have two of her records and I have been waiting for this moment for days,” said Arias, who like most other concertgoers, attended with her mother. Leaning on a fence near the stage, Janet Rodriguez held a handwritten banner that read: ‘We’re not perfect, but A fan of Disney Channel star Martina Stoessel, who we’re Tinistas,’ as Violetta fans are known. “I drew it a week portrays Disney’s “Violetta,” waits for the start of a A woman pays her last respects to Cuban musician Juan Formell during his wake at ago and I can’t believe the day is finally here,” said the girl free concert given by Stoessel in Buenos Aires, the National Theatre where his ashes and bass instrument are placed with a Cuban with bags under eyes, adding that she had arrived early to Argentina. — AP flag in Havana, Cuba. Formell, who for more than four decades was the driving force get a good spot. — Reuters behind the big band salsa orchestra Los Van Van, died Thursday. He was 71. — AP.