Annette A Aguilar

Thursday was a good morning and day @ccbands Derrick is here on the marimba and is definitely on point before the regular wind ensemble rehearsal (the top group). We both tuned in. He is a junior and happy to have him for another year since we plan on taking the Vibe (and marimba:) to a another level. I have some mallet pieces by Hermento that I believe Jovino gave me a while back. The instrument takes you to another place:) Best to CC on thier upcoming concerts and best to Penny and Miss @dookster94

Great night with @elispeaksmusic @jazzpowerinitiative for the Syncopated celebration of 2026. Congratulations to Dr E for his jazz journalist award for @lakeciab for her award and showing her Heights roots. And it is always best to see @cndelarosa here and for her being honored this evening! We love you madly in the North in Northern Manhattan and, of course, Miranda.@vegalteno . The good neighbor:) A great night!

In August, @calbrazilcamp is the best in Brazilian music, dance, and drumming. Where the best teachers of this art form come from Brazil and the non Brazilian who dedicated their study. We hope to see you in the redwoods in Northern California @Cazerdero . See you in the redwoods.

In Washington Heights NYC on Broadway at 175th Street @unitedpalacenyc Saturday May 9th, 2026 One of the most beautiful concerts happened with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, @nyphilharmonic w Dudamel conducting. A Dream in the Heights for our surroundings neighbors who came and enjoyed this musical feast. The NY Phil, whom I have been following as a young student in music, buying their LPs being around and studying with folks who were in that orchestra. For us, S.F. State alums who studied classical music and were in Lazlo Vargas orchestra, which i was on Tympani. I remember my knees shaking, playing Brahms w him (my tymp debut). We all know he was from the"old school". Later coming to NY for the master's in orchestral percussion and frequently going to Avery Fisher (when it was Avery) to hear the Phil and later becoming friends with Arnie Lang ( N.Y Phil 40+yrs) and we both taught up at Lehman college. Me teaching at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music percussion and Arnie at the college. However, we did do some collaborations. Regardless, having SHO perform together w NYPhil and Dudamel was a dream for us lovers of this music to hear. Did I ever think in my young school days this would ever happen? The Latin,salsa world come together w the NYPhil? I think maybe deep in the back of my young head. A super congratulations to amazing @Oscarhernandez for all his work throughout the years, the SHO band for keeping it going. Congratulations. I am very happy to have caught both nights. One at Lincoln Center and, of course, at The United Palace in Washington Hts. Btw Dudamel did acknowledge being Uptown. He did say Harlem, even though he was in the Heights ( he did get a pass, no one corrected him;) I think his musical mind was thing in El Barrio in Spanish Harlem, which was one the expansion of this music via cuba w Machito, Puente, Rodriguez and a lot more that happen en El Barrio, Spanish Harlem! Thank you!

Caught some clips of the concerts last night w @shorchestra Bandleader extordinary @oscarhernandezmusic . Some videos include Danzon for my Father, Mambo 2021 by O.Hernandez. Great bone solo by @juanga_lakunza , who is a young, talented force on the scene. I have the pleasure of working with him in Bronx Banda w Arturo O'Farrill. The legendary Mitch Forhman (Puente, Mambo Lengends, and more)on the Baritone Sax solo he also did some flute solos. The amazing @Luisito Quintero on timbales and, of course, Maestro himself Oscar Hernandez on piano. SHO Gilberto Velazquez, Marco Bermudez, Carlos Cascante, Vocals. Manuel Ruiz, Alex Norris Trumpet, Doug Beaver Trombone, George Delgado Conga, Oreste Abrantes, Bongo, and Gerardo Madera bass. Maestro Gustavo Dudamel conductor and the amazing New York Philharmonic

One for Spanish Harlem Orchestra w New York Phil. Nice to bump into George Delgado b4 his hit w SHO

Always the best time and lesson w Miss Bella @the new school. She rocks. Was able to hand over the out of print Puente book. But we will have ready to go! @The New School

It was a good ride today on the Greenway it was a nice workout. After that, I caught some good food @galiciatapas207 and bumped into Mr Plenero number one (Juan) of Los Pleneros 21, who was celebrating his birthday with his family here at Galicias It's a small world at one of your favorite restaurants in the north. Despite the "crazy " news, you gotta enjoy life.

Monday 4.27 was.a special celebration w all the all uptown honorees who made the uptown hall of frame. At Martin Collins @vegalteno and many more that I have to include. Thanks to the Beans w Horns aka Bean Bloco for the groove @angela_rey_ @that_bari_guy_bryan and more. Thank you @upcarts_nyc @mikefitelson . Keep the groove.

Knicks!!!

A great nite at @upcarts_nyc @callmecolinm @angela_rey_ @raquel.trombona

Fun Sunday w a pre drumworkshop run-through w some some of the horns for our hit tomorrow (missing 2, missing other drummers). This is the Bean Bloco w horns. Thanks to Noah Bless, Raquel, and Colin for checking in. And of course, the drummers! Drumworkshop was a good hit after the Bean horns. We will be playing for the Washington Heights Hall of Famers at the United Palace. Big shout out to our friend Martin Collins, one of the inductees