Tipica Novel
New York, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1961
Music
Press
Finding someone who remembers the Orquesta Tipica Novel in this day and age is a pretty difficult task, so it was particularly noble of the Conga Room to fly the seminal New York band for a Friday engagement. But it's the kind of innovative booking for which the Conga is becoming known among devoted salsa fans.
Formed in the late '60s by pianist Willie Ellis, the Novel is the kind of Afro-Cuban ensemble known as a charanga--its sound defined by the combination of supple percussion, acrobatic flutes and elegant violins.
In 1976, the Novel was signed to the legendary Fania record label and quickly became one of the company's finest ensembles. Not a small feat, considering the Fania was the home of Willie Colon, Ruben Blades and other salsa stars.
Re-formed recently after a decade of inactivity, the current Novel boasts some tremendous instrumentalists: no-frills timbalero Jimmy Delgado, bassist Marino Solano and, most notably, Joe "El Profesor" Torres, a virtuoso pianist responsible for some legendary sessions with the late Hector Lavoe.
At the Conga, the 10-piece combo performed two lengthy sets, working up relentless crescendos of fiery polyrhythms and easy-to-hum choruses. Old and new tunes were equally exciting, although an emotional version of the oldie "La Batalla de los Barrios" was particularly effective.
Unlike most of the Fania acts, whose music was distinguished by a dark, hard-core edge, the Novel plays sunny, uncomplicated montunos. This is joyful stuff, the aural depiction of an afternoon spent drinking and dancing somewhere in the Cuban countryside. - Los Angeles Times
Finding someone who remembers the Orquesta Tipica Novel in this day and age is a pretty difficult task, so it was particularly noble of the Conga Room to fly the seminal New York band for a Friday engagement. But it's the kind of innovative booking for which the Conga is becoming known among devoted salsa fans.
Formed in the late '60s by pianist Willie Ellis, the Novel is the kind of Afro-Cuban ensemble known as a charanga--its sound defined by the combination of supple percussion, acrobatic flutes and elegant violins.
In 1976, the Novel was signed to the legendary Fania record label and quickly became one of the company's finest ensembles. Not a small feat, considering the Fania was the home of Willie Colon, Ruben Blades and other salsa stars.
Re-formed recently after a decade of inactivity, the current Novel boasts some tremendous instrumentalists: no-frills timbalero Jimmy Delgado, bassist Marino Solano and, most notably, Joe "El Profesor" Torres, a virtuoso pianist responsible for some legendary sessions with the late Hector Lavoe.
At the Conga, the 10-piece combo performed two lengthy sets, working up relentless crescendos of fiery polyrhythms and easy-to-hum choruses. Old and new tunes were equally exciting, although an emotional version of the oldie "La Batalla de los Barrios" was particularly effective.
Unlike most of the Fania acts, whose music was distinguished by a dark, hard-core edge, the Novel plays sunny, uncomplicated montunos. This is joyful stuff, the aural depiction of an afternoon spent drinking and dancing somewhere in the Cuban countryside. - Los Angeles Times
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
The birth place of "Tipica Novel" starts in 1961 in New York City by Hector Zeno and his partner at the time Eddy Rodriguez. When these two founding members left the band, the leadership was taken over by Willie Ellis, piano player and musical director along with Alberto Gonzalez and Marco Motroni both vocalists at the time.
The band became world renowned under the Fania Record Label and Ralph Mercado who was their original promoter. Many great latin musicians have been members of this great Charanga band. Some that come to mind are:Mauricio Smith Sr., Don Gonzalez Fernandez. Mike Garcia, Nestor Torres, Jimmy Bosch, Pupi Legaretta, Jimmy Delgado, Jose Papo Boine, Professor Joe Torres, Marino Solano, and many countless others.
When Willie Ellis passed away, the band was taken over by his nephew Rafael Rodriguez who produced two recordings "Mejor Que Nunca" and "La Nueva Generacion". Due to work conflicts Rafael left the band and moved to Florida. As all the remaining band members were still in New York, it was decided that the band would remain in New York and be under the musical direction of Mauricio Smith Jr and Joe Ayala.
Joe has recently produced Novel's latest recording "Mirando Pa'l Cielo" which is dedicated to all those previous band memberswho have passed on and there is more music in the pipeline for future recordings. Tipica Novel endeavors to continue bringing great music to the dancing public in the long standing tradition which has endured to this very day.
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