'LA'Ritmo.com:
How long have you been involved in the entertainment business?
[Willie Villegas] I've been involved in the Entertainment business for almost twenty years now. I'm a self taught percussionist, and as a child I picked up a little bit here and there from the veteran masters of yesteryear.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Tell me about the band and your music?
[Willie Villegas] The name of the band is Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos, Brooklyn's hottest salsa dance band performing nostalgic salsa tunes that were popular in the 60's, 70's and early 80's.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Your first album was dedicated to the classic salsero. Why do you focus on playing Latin classics?
[Willie Villegas] We cater to the classic salsero who's lost in today's "Salsa Romantic era" and misses the old bands that once gave them a run for their money. Each member of the band has their heart stuck in an era of time when mambo music was being molded and popularized here in New York City into what today they call salsa. Not to mention, a lot of people we spoke to feel like there is something missing in today's salsa market.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Do you write original songs?
[Willie Villegas] Funny that you would ask that. We have in our possession several original tunes that we're currently shopping around done by my lead vocalist, Alfredo Torres, and Johnson Morales, our musical director.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Are you planning on releasing a second album?
[Willie Villegas] Yes, our second album will consist of original tunes in the style of the old classic salsa and much more.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
What makes your group different from the others?
[Willie Villegas] We're a dancers band and for the non-dancer, there's an explosive show of talent among this magnificent band such as Johnson Morales and his ever dramatic & riveting piano solos.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Which artists have you previously worked with?
[Willie Villegas] I always thank our God, The Almighty, for blessing me with the talent to play a musical instrument and for giving me the opportunity to accompany such salsa legends in the music world at such an early age. Among the greats are Joe Quijano, Ismael Miranda, Frankie Ruiz, Joe Cuba, five time Grammy winner, Eddie Palmieri and from the island of Puerto Rico: Paquito Guzman, Tito Allen, Lalo Rodriguez, Iris Chacon,Odilio Gonzalez, Jose Miguel Class "El Gallo De Manati"... the list just goes on and on, thank the Lord.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
How do you feel about the transformation that salsa music is going through in the past few years?
[Willie Villegas] I'm inclined to say that in the past nine years the dramatic change in salsa music has left a yearning for a change in format.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
How do you feel about the new artists coming out?
[Willie Villegas] Today's artist needs to study the roots of Cuban music as well as traditional bomba and plena from the island of Puerto Rico.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Are there any changes in your music now from when the time that you first started?
[Willie Villegas] We're constantly changing and adding new songs to our list of classic tunes.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Where are you currently gigging?
[Willie Villegas] We're fortunate to be doing an average of three to four gigs a week at your local nightclubs [NYC] like Bayamos, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, Bistro Latino, Palm Court, Casa Del Sol in Nyack NY, 200 Fifth Ave in Brooklyn as well as the world famous S.O.B.'s, where we enjoyed performing every Monday night for six months as the house band opening up for the heavy hitters like La India, Eddie Palmieri, etc.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
Are you looking for management or to be signed to a label?
[Willie Villegas] I'm always looking for bigger and better ways to benefit my band, be it through independent or commercial management.
'LA'Ritmo.com:
What plans does Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos have for the future?
[Willie Villegas] To take and introduce salsa music everywhere, and to anyone who wishes to learn for this music belongs to everyone!
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