The Voices Of Latin Rock 4 - Benefit for Autism Awareness

Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco

January 24, 2008

VOICES-BERNIE

Dr. Bernie Gonzalez

Now its fourth year, VOLR4 churned on with

a historic allstar gathering honoring

San Francisco Latin Rock.

 

The concert is a partnership between Ron Sansoe

and Dr. Bernie Gonzalez and a benefit for

Autism Awareness.

 

Dr.B, who is also known as

Dr. Rock, is a seasoned concert presenter. A

onetime employee of SF rock empresario, Bill Graham, 

his shows at the Fox and Little Fox Theaters

in Redwood City pack people in to

see Malo, Pete Escovedo, La Ventana and

others. 

 

He also has been a pillar in the

production of the San Francisco Carnaval

in the SF Mission where he has a

dentistry practice.

 

Ron Sanoe, along with Jim McCarthy, is

the co-author of the Hal Leonard Book, 

"The Voices Of Latin Rock." One has to

give Ron props for initiating this and

using it as a springboard that has revived

Latin rock!     

******  

VOICES-HOLLY

The show opened with a children's chorus from

Mill Valley and featured the angelic voice

of Holly Stell.

VOICES-HOLLY4

Holly Stell

*****

Following their performance it was time to dig

ourselves into our spots for a roller coaster of

Latin-inspired rock-and-roll.

VOICES-SISTERSMORALES2

For me Sisters Morales was a refreshing discovery.

I had heard of them but our paths never crossed.

Roberta and Lisa Morales sang heartful

Mexican songs like "Cucuru Paloma" as well

their own country/folk rock originals.

  VOICES-SISTERSMORALES

Jose Simon was the MC and the renown

comedian had the crowd rolling

with his chistes.

VOICES-RICHARDBEAN&JOSESIMON 

Richard Bean & Jose Simon

VOICES-ABELJOSECHUYCARLOS

Abel Sanchez, Jose Simon, Chuy Varela, Carlos Reyes

The awards portion of the show included honoring the original members

of MALO which included Arcelio Garcia, Jorge Santana, Leo Rosales, Pablo Tellez, Richard Bean,

Abel Zarate, Raul Rekow, and Tom Poole.  Then musical director Albel Sanchez brought

on an allstar band of resident musicians under the banner of "The Voices Of Latin Rock Revue."

The cast included Musical Director, Abel Sanchez, guitarist Jorge Santana, & Gabe Manzo, guitar. 
 
David George, Drums, Tony Menjivar, Congas, Gibby Ross, Timbales, Bill Ortiz, Trumpet,
 
Frank Bailey, Trumpet, Mic Gillette, Trumpet, Marcia Miget, Sax, Victor Bejarano, Keyboards,
 
Herman Eberech, Keyboards, Greg Errico, Drums, Karl Perazzo, Timbales, Jose Santana, Vocals,
 
Hererra Sisters, Vocals, Richard Segovia, Timbales, Roger Alves, Drums, Brad T Bird, Bass,
 
Gary Luenberger, Keyboards, Carlos Reyes, Violin and Harp, and the Original Malo Band  
 
Honorees:  Arcelio Garcia, Richard Bean, Pablo Tellez, Abel Zarate,
 
Raul Rekow, Leo Rosales, and Jorge Santana.
 
 
VOICES-VOLR-REVUE
 
The Herrera Sisters with Jose Santana
 
The set included classics and originals like 
 
Watermelon Man, Dolores Huerta, Jose Santana doing "Latino Lover" with Hererra Sisters
 
as background vocalists,  El Raton with Karl Perazzo on timbales & Avance vocalists,
 
the Fania version with Jorge, Rainbows of Love (a new original by Abel Sanchez & Jorge Santana)
 
and Song for Cesar (by Abel & Jorge). The set concluded with a MALO medley.
 

VOICES-RAUL&LEO

Raul Rekow & Leo Rosales

VOICES-ABELZARATE&LEOROSALES

Abel Zarate & Leo Rosales

VOICES-JORGESANTANA2

Jorge Santana

VOICES-VATOSDEAVANCE

Los Vatos De Avance

Luis Morales, ??, Armando Cordoba

VOICES-JOHNSANTOS

John Santos

John Santos also recieved an award for his contributions.

VOICES-PETE&ARCELIOGARCIA

Pete & Arcelio Garcia

VOICES-ARCELIO&MALO

Arcelio & Malo

VOICES-ORESTESVILATO

Orestes Vilato

VOICES-RICHARDBEANMRSBEANMIOFLORES

Richard Bean, Ms. Bean, Mio Flores

VOICES-VALENSSISTERS

The sisters of Ritchie Valens

VOLR4 ended with a tribute to Ritchie Valens coordinated by

Rita Gentry. It was a moving tribute to one of

the foundations of Latin rock with Los Lobos paying

due to the Pacoima legend. They kicked off with

"Come On Let's Go" and the place went into a spin!

.

VOICES-LOSLOBOS2

David Hidalgo - Los Lobos

VOICES-LOSLOBOS3

Steve Berlin - Los Lobos

VOICES-LOSLOBOS1

Conrad Lozano & Louie Perez

VOICES-LOSLOBOS6

Cesar Rosas - Los Lobos

VOICES-LOSLOBOS8

Louie Perez

VOICES-LOSLOBOS9

Los Lobos with Jackie Green (left)

VOICES-LOSLOBOS11

Los Lobos with Santana singer Tony Lindsey

VOICES-LOSLOBOS12

"What's Going On" sang Tony!

VOICES-GEORGECLINTON

George Clinton made a guest appearence and got the crowd riled with

"We Got The Funk."

VOICES-SLYSTONE

The Legendary Sly Stone made an appearance and jumped on stage briefly

doing "I Want To Take You Higher." 

Overall VOLR4 was a memorable show.

I emceed a portion of the event with Jose and

the love in the sold out art deco palace that is Bimbo's in North Beach

was very special. One of the best gigs happening for a good cause.

 I can hardly wait for VOLR5!

Chuy Varela  

VIVA LATIN ROCK!