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- by Dena Burroughs THE HECTOR CASANOVA BENEFIT -
6/24/07 As I came into Hollywood's Florentine Gardens this past
Sunday, the Joe Rotondi sextet, with George Balmaseda singing, was on stage. It
was only about 7.30 pm, yet inside, it was already a party.
The Florentine Gardens opened its doors for the Casanova
Benefit courtesy of Kenny McKenzie. In such large accommodations,
there were about 20 tables, big enough for ten
people each, that in no way interrupted the flow on the excellent wooden
dance floor.
Each table had a copy of a Primera Hora's June 22nd, 2005, Spanish
edition, of a "Historia de la Salsa" article about Hector Casanova.
The front page, translated, read: Hector Casanova - As a sonero,
and with the flavor of the old Cuban school, symbolizes one of the best
contemporary exponents in our hemisphere, who owns a style and a voice,
more than strong, melodious. Kathy "La Rumbera" Diaz, from the
Canto Tropical Saturday evening Salsa radio show, was the event's M.C. This
event was put together mainly through the efforts of Manny Gonzalez and
Danielle Paredes, and thanks to the donated time and services of the
musicians, sound people, and other collaborators that are listed at
http://salyson.com/news2.htm
. The proceeds were going to the Casanova family, for which Hector
Casanova's widow, and other family members, were present at the event.
After a while, the Salsa singer known as "La Palabra" got on stage.
It was evident that he would sing over recorded music and not a band.
I won't lie, for a couple minutes I was doing the Scooby Doo's famous "eeeerrrhhhhh!!!??!!!".
However, La Palabra is pretty smart and just a few seconds into his well
known song "Lady", a couple of also well known L.A. ladies, Lana and
Kirsten, came on stage. No offense, but I dare to say most
everyone forgot all about the absent band after that.
La Palabra's show was followed by The Echo Park Project Salsa group,
which in turn was followed by Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad. As
the M.C. pointed out, what more can one expect out of a good Sunday when
there is already good Salsa, food (arroz con gandules, maduros, pernil,
and more in the back room), friends, and on top of everything, good
will. It was a good way to spend a Sunday evening in Hollywood.
My hope is that our presence was of some financial help to Mrs.
Casanova, but even more importantly, that it communicated the
appreciation we feel towards the magnificent voice of her late husband,
Hector Casanova.
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George Balmaseda singing with the Joe Rotondi sextet |
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Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad |
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