~by Dena Burroughs

Oscar Hernandez on piano, Marco Bermudez, Ray de La Paz and Willie Torres at the Birch North Park Theatre

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Birch North Park Theatre, in San Diego - March 13, 2009

   San Diego responded beautifully to the invitation of The Spanish Harlem Orchestra last Friday.  The comfortable Birch North Park Theatre filled up with folks who wanted to listen to the music created by this group of professional musicians whose philosophy is that Salsa and Latin Jazz are special enough to deserve a nice venue and the attention of the listener. 

   The San Diego concert was part of a tour that had them in Northern California the night before and would take them to Mexico the evening after.  Led by Oscar Hernandez, the group performed music from all of their CDs and a song entitled "Salsa Dura" that will be part of a future release.  On stage with Hernandez were Ray de la Paz, Marco Bermudez and Willie Torres on vocals, Maximo Rodriguez on bass, Luisito Quintero on timbal, George Delgado on congas, Jorge Gonzalez on bongos, Jimmie Bosch and Dan Reagan on trombone, Hector Colon on trumpet, John Walsh on trumpet, and Mitch Frohman on sax and flute. 

   The Birch North Park Theatre kindly indicated a few dance areas inside the concert hall where dancers could move to the infectious music of the orchestra.  The concert lasted over two hours and the crowd still asked for an encore.  Once the concert was over a few of the musicians, such as Willie Torres, Jimmy Bosch, and Oscar Hernandez, acknowledged the crowd by joining them on the floor, taking pictures, and writing dedications on the CDs available for purchase. 

   http://www.spanishharlemorchestra.net

   http://www.birchnorthparktheatre.net