Whether a concert hall or an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in, they are coming at you full force from start to finish. Their energy on stage, rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the musics rich history, thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience.
Now in its fourteenth year, SHO, as they are known to fans, is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio. Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura "hard salsa" alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, while creating a unique and fresh approach.
With four albums, and as many Grammy nominations, this Latin Jazz powerhouse knows it is crucial to continually push themselves and raise the bar. They recently released their fifth album, featuring two of America's great jazz icons, Chick Corea & saxophonist Joe Lovano. Oscar Hernandez and Spanish Harlem Orchestra continue to raise the bar of excellence in their music.
HISTORY
After two decades of session work, composing, arranging and producing, band leader Oscar Hernández was approached by producer Aaron Levinson in 2000 about the idea of assembling and recording a Latin jazz orchestra. The result was Un Gran Dia en el Barrio, the 2002 debut recording from Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) that scored a Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album and a Latin Billboard Award for Salsa Album of the Year. Based on the success of their first CD, Hernández and SHO began touring and wowing audiences all over the world.
Recordings
Their first Grammy win came in 2004 with their follow-up album, Across 110th Street, a reference to Harlem’s southern boundary. Featuring Ruben Blades as guest artist, the combination proved to be explosive and featured Blades singing in the style of Salsa Dura that many of his fans longed to hear.
Released in 2007, United We Swing earned yet another Grammy nomination. The album features Paul Simon as special guest singing a burning rendition of his hit "Late in The Evening" -- SHO style. Their second Grammy winning album, Viva La Tradicion, was released in 2010.
Band Leader
Oscar Hernández is all about tradition. Born into a large Puerto Rican family living in the Bronx, it was the nearby Spanish Harlem neighborhood that shaped his cultural musical sensibilities. The soundtrack to this bustling enclave in the ‘60s, emanating from any given window on any given day, was a mix of Latin Jazz and American pop radio.
Hernandez started playing the trumpet at age twelve; he switched to piano shortly thereafter. By the time he finished his teen years, he was making a living as a professional musician and gigging with some of the most talented Latin Jazz artists of the ‘70s. He spent much of the ‘80s producing, arranging and playing piano for Panamanian vocalist Rubén Blades while simultaneously leading his own band, Seis del Solar. In the 90's Hernandez produced a recording titled "Dance City" which received a rave review in the NY Times and led Paul Simon to call him as arranger/producer & musical director for his Broadway show "The Capeman."
Plena Con Sabor
Spanish Harlem Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con mi ritmo boricua
Una plena con sabor
Pa' mi raza latina
Es un ritmo alegre
Cadencioso sin igual
Baila la plena del barrio
Aprovecha y ponte a gozar
Con mi ritmo boricua
Una plena con sabor
Pa' mi raza latina
Aquí le traemos
Desde el corazón
Esta plena pa que goce
Que nació en San Antón
Todo el mundo muévase
Con mi ritmo boricua
Una plena con sabor
Pa' mi raza latina
Siempre que la canto
Mi alma se estremece
Es el ritmo de mi pueblo
El orgullo de mi gente
The lyrics to Spanish Harlem Orchestra's song Plena Con Sabor celebrate the joyful, upbeat rhythm of the plena, a traditional Puerto Rican music style. The singer encourages everyone to move to the rhythm of his boricua (Puerto Rican) beat and enjoy the plena, which has a unique cadence that is unparalleled. The plena originates from San Antón, and the singer brings it from the heart of the barrio to his Latino race, inviting everyone to dance and revel in the joy of their music. Each time he sings it, his soul trembles, for the plena is the music of his people and the pride of his community.
The song is an ode to Puerto Rican pride, unity, harmony, and joy. By invoking the plena, the singer emphasizes the power of music to connect people across different backgrounds and cultures, and to tap into their collective spirit and energy. The plena is not just a rhythm, but a way of life, a celebration of resilience, and a testament to the beauty of diversity. The lyrics invite everyone to join the party, let loose, and enjoy the moment with no worries, but only a sense of community and belonging that transcends language, race, or ethnicity. In short, Plena Con Sabor is an invitation to celebrate life itself, one beat at a time.
Line by Line Meaning
Todo el mundo muévase
Let everyone move with my Puerto Rican rhythm
Con mi ritmo boricua
With my Boricua rhythm
Una plena con sabor
A plena with flavor
Pa' mi raza latina
For my Latin race
Es un ritmo alegre
It is a joyful rhythm
Cadencioso sin igual
Unequalled cadence
Baila la plena del barrio
Dance to the plena of the neighborhood
Aprovecha y ponte a gozar
Take advantage and enjoy yourself
Aquí le traemos
Here we bring
Desde el corazón
From the heart
Esta plena pa que goce
This plena for you to enjoy
Que nació en San Antón
That was born in San Anton
Siempre que la canto
Whenever I sing it
Mi alma se estremece
My soul shivers
Es el ritmo de mi pueblo
It is the rhythm of my people
El orgullo de mi gente
The pride of my people
Contributed by Aria K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.