CATCHING UP WITH LARRY HARLOW
by Natasha Bannan
oasissalsero.com Jan 2002

Como uno de los miembros originales de las Estrellas de Fania, Larry Harlow ha estado tocando el piano y haciendo música Latina hace muchos años. Tuve la oportunidad de hablar con esta leyenda y nos hablo un poquito de su historia y  sus proyectos recientes. Desde su comienzo hasta ahora, asi me contó…..

As one of the original Fania All-Stars members and originals on the salsa scene, Larry Harlow has been performing Latin music for over four decades. I got an opportunity to catch up with him and interview him about some past history and current projects. From his beginnings up until present,

GOLDEN ERA

When do you think your career officially started?

In 1965 with my solo career and the birth of Fania and La Orquestra Harlow, which was the first group to start mixing the sounds of trumpets with trombones.

What turned you on to salsa, or Latin music at that time?

I started playing with Latin bands since the mid ‘50’s, then going to Havana in the late ‘50’s really opened my eyes up. I started playing my band as a side band to Tito Puente’s and Johnny Pacheco’s in rumba clubs, mainly to Jewish crowds. It used to be to encourage them to go to Havana and take up an interest in rumba. I was practicing rumba, mambo, guaracha, and cha-cha-cha back then.

Who were you influenced by back then?

Cuban dance and Cuban music. Early Machito, Puente, Beny More, La Playa Sextette (8 bars of choral, 8 bars of trumpet, the 8 bars of choral). It was all Cuban music back then.

Even though you’re considered a legend, have you ever encountered any problems being a non-hispanic playing what’s traditionally considered to be Latin music?

Yes, mainly with Latin clubowners and promoters. My manager, Jose Curbelo would push my band to play as a side band to Puente’s, and I started getting my name out there. This was also when I started moving more towards Puerto Rican musical influences.

What stands out for you as a highlight playing with the Fania All-Stars?

Our first show at the Cheetah; going to Africa in ’74; doing the first movie and producing soundtracks for the films. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to play in Africa either back then if it wasn’t for Fania.

For so many stars at that time to be playing together, what were some of the problems that you encountered working together?

Ego! At first, the bandleaders were the stars, like Pacheco, Colon and me. Then the singers started moving into the limelight, like Lavoe and Miranda. For example, Pacheco and Barretto would conflict with different ideas for songs they think should be played while they were on stage. Some stars would arrive late and they started to take advantage of their status.

Who do you think in your opinion is the best salsa singer? What about of today?

My top five picks of all-time singers would be Ismael Rivera, Beny More, Ruben Blades, Nestor Sanchez, and Tito Allen. Victor Manuelle would be my favorite of today.

Do you think the style of salsa clásica will make a comeback? What’s different about the salsa today versus when you started playing?

I think it is making a comeback. There’s the salsa swing in Puerto Rico, and stations that play nothing but the old stuff. It comes in cycles, just like the boogaloo did, and salsa romántica. The money that’s being made now is the only big difference. Back then I would get paid $190 a night, and that was to cover the whole band. No one played concerts in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, it was only Cuban clubs and dancehalls.

What could the singers of today learn from the originals who helped create what is known as salsa?

Diversity. I do everything from playing salsa and Latin jazz to writing movie scores, operas, children’s theater, teaching, lecturing, I do recordings, everything. You have to be diverse. You have to also give back to the community. I’m now the spokesperson for the Hispanic Organ Donors Society.

NOTHING LIKE THE PRESENT……..

Tell me about this children’s play you’re working on, "Sofrito". How did you come up with that name?

Sofrito is a mix of herbs and spices, different flavors, which is what Latinos are. David Gonzalez actually came up with it, and asked me to work with him on this project. The album is almost ready for release. David is a storyteller, and we go from city to city playing to children. Every show so far has been sold-out, and the show is 3 years old now! We do it strictly for the kids. I wanted to give back to the community.

Have you had to make any adjustments as a musician to a crowd full of children versus normally catering to adults?

There’s been no change in catering my musical style, only the hours I perform, since for kids it’s early in the morning versus late at night.

With the Latin Legends Band, how did that get started?

It was originally Ray Barretto’s idea in 1994 at the All-Star concert, then Ray decided he wanted to start playing more jazz instead of salsa, so I followed through with the idea. I had Pacheco, Ismael Miranda and Giovanni Hidalgo playing with me too. Now I play with Yomo Toro and Adalberto Santiago. The Latin Legends band is what keeps me the busiest.

Do you ever invite anyone to come play or sing with you?

Ismael Miranda, Junior Gonzalez, Alfredo de la Fe, Jose Fajardo, Nestor Sanchez, to name some.

How was your first debut weekend with the Larry Harlow Latin Jazz Encounter?

It was a nervous first weekend since I normally don’t play much Latin jazz. I’m more comfortable with salsa. We even had music stands up, which is rare. I’m getting used to it. It was actually the idea of the owner of Birdland in New York. It was great though, the place was packed. We recorded the second night we played, so the third night went much smoother with less stress. The Latin Jazz Encounter is only 6 guys, so it makes it easier to travel with them too.

So will this be a new band you’re with? What’s the future of it?

I would like to use Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, and Maraca in the future. We just cut our first album, which will be released soon. Ideally I’d love to play with then in a European jazz festival.

Larry’s Picks

In this section I asked Larry to name me some of his favorites. Here goes his top picks….

Favorite album he’s done: La Raza Latina

Favorite album by someone else: "Dancemania" by Tito Puente in ‘54

Favorite Latin jazz artist or band: Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval

Favorite salsa singer or group: To dance to: Pacheco’s band; To watch perform: Cheo, Ruben Blades, Oscar D’Leon

Favorite band to play with: Fania All-Stars

Favorite song: "Babbarabatiti"

Favorite year: 1973

Best Memory: Birth of my son

Any Regrets: Wish I would’ve started my career younger