On the weekend, April 26./27., 1997, I travelled from Germany to Den Haag (The Hague, Netherlands) for the first Salsa Festival in Holland. It took place in a huge Sports Arena. It was so big that it could not be filled by the audience - Den Haag is not New York and Madison Square Garden, right? Nevertheless the athmosphere was good and people were dancing and having fun. The festival featured several Latin bands which are based in the Netherlands as well as some first class orchestras from the Caribbean.
1st Day
Perla Negra feat. Jazmin.
Jazmin is from Cuba. But she lives in the Netherlands for years, where she is a well known Salsa singer. She opened the festival with her new band "Perla Negra".
Huracan
This Netherlands-based band brought a lot of speedy Merengue into the festival, which was otherwise heavy on the Salsa side.
Orquesta Fiebre
Also from the Netherlands
Los Hermanos Moreno
The brothers Willie and Nelson Moreno are from Puerto Rico. Together with their excellent orchestra they performed a very high energy Salsa. The brothers were doing the vocals accompanied by two young singers. Additionally Willie was hammering on the cow bell and threw in lots of percussion solos. Nelson also played trombone. Hermanos Moreno, as well as Oscar D'Leon presented the most powerful shows.
2nd Day
Orquesta Pegasaya
This group from the Netherlands not only played Salsa but many different styles from the Caribbean: Soca, Zouk and more.
Los Hermanos Moreno
They performed their perfect show a second time. I picked up an autograph-card which they threw into the audience. How much are you going to pay me for that, if you want to have it? :-)
Adalberto Alvarez y su Son
The well known band leader, composer and arranger from Cuba brought a big orchestra, including 4 singers plus additional backing vocals. They performed an extended version of their hit song "A bailar el Toca Toca". That was my favourite song of the festival. I felt so happy listening and dancing to it!
Oscar D'Leon
Oscar D'Leon came with his two sons, who were doing vocals and percussion. His son Yorman already has his own record out. So he also had his own fans within the audience :-) . The band included the biggest horn section of the festival (at least 6 (?) trumpets, saxophones and trombones)! Oscar was full of energy. He sang brilliantly and performed a fantastic show. By the way: Oscar completely cut off his hair! :-)
The Salsa scene in the Netherlands is very lively and there are several more top events. For more info see my Concert Page!