LA EXCELENCIA (presented in partnership with the World Music Festival 2010) is a salsa orchestra that was started in 2005 by Julian Silva and Jose Vazquez-Cofresi. The hard life of the barrio is reflected in La Excelencia’s music through their hardcore salsa sounds known as “salsa dura.” In 2006 La Excelencia released their first album Salsa Con Conciencia, described by the New York Times as “The real deal.” Following the successful world release of their second album, Mi Tumbao Social, La Excelencia was chosen for the cover of Latin Beat Magazine with the headline, “Young, raw, raging musical weapons of mass destruction.” A world tour followed at which every performance was sold out. La Excelencia caught the attention of the Latin Music USA documentary and BBC Television which selected the group to represent the “New Generation of Salsa Dura” at the world famous Barbican in London, UK. The group features Edwin Perez, vocals; Gilbert Velazquez, vocals; Junior “Frodo” Beltran, chorus; Jorge “Jorgito” Bringas, contra-bass; Willy Rodriguez, piano; Charles “Swing” Dilone, bongos; Jose Vazquez-Cofresi “Manos de Hierro,” congas; Julian Silva, timbales.
Website: http://www.laexcelencia.net/
