User:Luzenmiventana/LaExcelencia

La Excelencia, best known as 'The New Generation of Salsa Dura,' is a salsa|Salsa dura orchestra based in New York City. Founded in 2005 by owner Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, La Excelencia boasts an 11-piece orchestra that brings a modern vitality and social consciousness to the salsa|Salsa dura genre.

History
In 2000 Jose Vazquez-Cofresi moved to New York and quickly signed a deal to record a salsa CD, only to see that project shelved as the reggaetón boom accelerated. During this period Jose Vazquez-Cofresi met lead vocalist Edwin Perez, pianist Willy Rodriguez, percussionist Charles Dilone, and trombonist Ronald Prokopez, key musicians in the concept of what was to come. In 2005 after been released from a contract signed with ex-Fania Records and ex-RMM Records & Video employees, including Johnny Pacheco as a music consultant; Jose Vazquez-Cofresi formed La Excelencia becoming it's leader and owner. Under the label, Handle With Care Productions, La Excelencia has released three CDs “Salsa Con Conciencia,” (Salsa with Awareness/ Conscience), “Mi Tumbao Social,” (My Social Drumbeat) and “Ecos Del Barrio,” (Echoes of the Neighborhood). In addition the BBC did a special of a live performance of La Excelencia Live at the Barbican Centre in London also part of Latin Music USA by PBS.

Salsa Con Conciencia (2006)

 * 1) La Lucha
 * 2) Solo Sin Amor
 * 3) Sentencia
 * 4) El Tiempo en tus Manos
 * 5) La Salsa y el Guaguanco
 * 6) Estoy
 * 7) El Loco
 * 8) Cada Dia
 * 9) Hijo de los Rumberos
 * 10) Boogalu Pa' Colombia
 * 11) La Lucha Remix (Featuring Shanny)

Mi Tumbao Social (2009)

 * 1) Salsa Dura
 * 2) Ahora Que Te Tengo Aquí
 * 3) Deja De Criticar
 * 4) Por Tu Traición (Salsa Version)
 * 5) Aña Pa' Mi Tambor
 * 6) American Sueño
 * 7) Duelo De Bongo
 * 8) Caminando
 * 9) Vendió Su Corazón
 * 10) Unidad
 * 11) Por Tu Traición (Bolero Version)

Ecos Del Barrio (2012)

 * 1) Intro
 * 2) Pa'l Mundo Entero
 * 3) Dale Otra Oportunidad
 * 4) Nueva York Sin Ti
 * 5) Guerrero
 * 6) María
 * 7) Entre Espinas
 * 8) La Economía (Album Version)
 * 9) Anoche Soñé Contigo
 * 10) Vagabundo
 * 11) Iyáñlá
 * 12) Descarga La Excelencia (Tsumugi)

Orchestra Members

 * Owner/Congas: Jose Vazquez-Cofresi


 * Lead Vocal: Edwin Perez


 * Contra-bass/Chorus: Jorge Bringas


 * Tres Guitar/Chorus: Yuniel Jimenez


 * Piano/Conductor: Willy Rodriguez


 * Bongos/Cowbell: Charles Dilone


 * Timbales: Jesse Alfonso


 * Trombone: Ronald Prokopez


 * Trombone: Nadav Nirenberg


 * Trumpet: Crisobal Ferrer


 * Trumpet: Matt Hilgenberg

Awards and nominations

 * 2007 Award for Best Salsa Album by Dj Gury Gury, Canadian Latin Radio
 * 2009 Award for The UK Salsa Awards
 * 2012 Nomination for The AirEuropa Latin UK Awards