Puerto Rican sensation Plena Libre is on a mission to spread traditional plena-style salsa to the four corners of the world.
On June 18, the Outpost Performance Space gave the 14-piece band its first chance to bring this music to the Southwest at Albuquerque's National Hispanic Cultural Center.
"It is a privilege to be here in New Mexico for the first time," Gary Nu§ez, bandleader and bass player said. "We want to be here to bring you the music of Puerto Rico and we'd like to dedicate this to the people of Puerto Rico and to all the people of different cultures who gathered to be here tonight. Believe me, if we could have more gatherings of people of different cultures, the world would be a better one in the future."
The band's style, plena, began in the 1950s and is considered the roots of today's salsa music.
"Plena music is not salsa, but it is an important part of Puerto Rican culture," Outpost director Tom Guralnick said. "In addition to bringing good music, we also presented an important cultural statement."
Guralnick said that while this music may sound like salsa to the untrained ear, there are specific interlocking rhythms that make it different.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Plena Libre has worked together since 1994 to modernize and spice up this folkloric African/Puerto Rican-style, adding a fresh new sound that the younger generations would listen to.
"Plena is a very important part of out culture," Nu§ez said.
Besides winning the affection of fans around the world, Plena Libre has been nominated for three Grammy awards and received recognition from Puerto Rico's House of Representatives.
The band began the set of Caribbean, salsa and dance fusion in the outdoor plaza of the cultural center. The infectious sound left not one person in the crowd of about 1000 standing still.
"The more fun you have, the more fun we have," Nu§ez said. "It's going to be a hell of a night. We didn't expect such a warm welcome, we feel at home. This is your party."
Earlier that morning, Plena Libre performed a free concert for the children of the community where they educated them about the true form of plena music.
"It's nice to get to appeal to a different audience, do a bigger show and at the same time, bring another cultural form to the community," Guralnick said.
Opening for Plena Libre was local long standing Cuban salsa band Son Como Son.
Monday night the Outpost Performance Space continued its role as Latin music host with Maud Beenhouwer and Ritmo Caliente, both local Latin jazz musicians. On Oct. 6, the Outpost will pick up again with another Latin artist, Omar Sosa.
"We do concerts that others aren't going to do," Guralnick said. "It's part of our mission."
