February 18, 2009

• Free salsa dance lessons before show

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center presents Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Come early and enjoy free, pre-show salsa dance lessons at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25; student tickets are $20. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information. This show is part of the Global Rhythm Series. Sponsors are Alabama Power Company, WBHM, The Birmingham News, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Viva Health and KPI Latino.

New York City's Spanish Harlem is the birthplace of salsa, Latin soul and boogaloo, and Grammy-winning ensemble Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) is its premier ambassador. Since 2000, Spanish Harlem Orchestra has established itself as a standard bearer of contemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger and producer Oscar Hernández, the 13-member, all-star ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City salsa to music lovers worldwide.

"United We Swing" is a stunning follow-up to the band's 2004 Grammy award-winning album, "Across 110th St.," and their 2002 Grammy-nominated debut, "Un Gran Día En El Barrio." SHO also received the Latin Billboard Award for Salsa Album of the Year. Nine songs on "United" are originals, based on the musical legacy of El Barrio.

"Our music style is the original sound of New York old school 'salsa dura' (heavy salsa) that was played in the early years by our pioneers," Hernández said. "That sound had been lost, and we want to keep it alive while educating the new generations (and music lovers in general) on the true musical roots of our culture."