arts

Also in this section:
Nostalgia Night
Darrin DuFord's book signing at Excedra Books
Theatre Guild of Ancon Christmas play auditions
Gallery & Museum Guide

Scenes from Nostalgia Night

photos and story by Eric Jackson

It was a birthday party for Vitín Paz, above, the Panamanian trumpeter who broke into the New York scene when he was a kid in New York in the 40s and played with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson. Most of the participants, however, were from younger generations who had been inspired by Vitín but played different stuff. Veterans of the combos nacionales of the 60s and early 70s --- bands that came from an eclectic mix of Latin American, Caribbean and African-American influences and each had their own particular sound, but collectively became something clearly Panamanian --- were particularly well represented on this night.

Máximo Rodríguez had to be helped on and off the stage, but his voice is still strong

Germán Vergara may be well described as a crooner

Solinka is a Panamanian who made her name in Peru and then came back

Arcadio Molinar is a big man with a voice to match

Leony Herrera showed off her abilities in several different musical genres, did some fast and precise dance steps, and got the crowd on its feet as well

Yep --- the soul influence on Colon way back when showed through in Jaime Ellis's act

Noted Panamanian calypso, gospel and opera singer Leslie George didn't perform on stage this night, but came to enjoy the show

Ralph Weeks --- a bilingual soul man --- ended his act by passing out candy and flowers to the ladies

Toribio Samuel's act was heavy on the calypso and soca influences

As Bocas native Alfredito Payne explained, "in the time of the combos nacionales, I was walking around in diapers." His music reflects influences from both the English and Spanish Caribbean

If the Afro-Cuban influence is to show through, you must have a good percussion section

Daniel Bulgin, also the night's producer, took the stage in the wee hours of the morning and showed off the many influences that affected the combos nacionales years when he was a young musician in that scene