Salsa, conjunto, Tejano highlighting Labor Day weekend

A Tejano tribute, salsa dance and conjunto grooves were among the highlights of the past few days in San Antonio.

The action started Wednesday at the Jerry De La Rosa tribute CD release party at the Cadillac Bar. There were tons of artists performing and mingling about including Jimmy Gonzalez & Mazz, David Marez, Ramiro Herrera, Stefani, Paul Vidal, Sunny Sauceda and so many others.

Highlights including a mesmerizing 8-minute all-star video of the tribute song "Te Extranamos Mucho," produced by Jorge Flores. That video can be seen at:www.allstarstributetojerry.com.

There was also a riveting 16-minute video retrospective on De La Rosa's life, put together by Jesus Ramirez of www.thestorytellingplace.com

which is where fans can also check out the video.

Among the artists, Mazz dropped an intense set while Javier Galvan & Fama proved they still have plenty of juice. Also outstanding was Humberto Ramon's acoustic three-song set of gospel-Tejano tunes. He may have had less instruments but he was more electrifying than the others.

Friday, Los Padrinos kept the conjunto flag flying when they dropped a friendly set at the Frio Saloon (smoke free).

Meanwhile, a new (relatively) venue, the Sam Houston Club, resonated with the salsa/merengue rhythms of Latin Four, a new group that fuses pop, tropical, disco and more. Led by Federico Rojo, the group managed to get music fans on the dance floor of the elegant ballroom. By 10 p.m a crowd estimated at about 130 fans had filed into the ballroom.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Labor Day weekend fun continues at Market Square with several bands, including Texas Legends, La Formula, Five Star Band, La Calma, Artie V y Grupo Suave, La Dystancia, Briana/BMF, Stampede, La Traizion, Albert Zamora y Talento, Eddie "G" Gonzales play at the Labor Day Weekend Celebration on multiple stages through Monday, Sept. 1. Free admission.

The Labor Day celebration is presented by El Mercado Association.