Grupo PlenaSon
El Reclamo de la Plena
"La lyrica de un trobador en las manos de un plenero." A unique style of Plena from Puerto Rico's five century old culture. Beautiful lyrics, modern but pleasant arrangements that integrate traditional and non-traditional rhythms.
PlenaSon was born in Puerto Rico back in 2003 after Jovino Gonzalez, one of the most awarded “trovadores” from Corozál, offered PlenaSon Director, Benjamin Jimenez the lyric of the first song on the album: Dime Nena. In his hometown, Manatí, a city at the northern coast of the island, called; “The Athens of Puerto Rico”, because it is rich in culture, Benjamin was known as the “plenero del pueblo”. He loved the Plena but also had a passion for other musical genres of Puerto Rico and had built an excellent relationship with many other top “trovadores such as, Omar Santiago, Casiano Betancourt, Roberto Sylva and Arturito Santiago. After they offered Benjamin their compositions the band was formed.
While gathering the musicians, he ran across PlenaSon’s Musical Director, Orlando A. Marrero. Orlando had recently moved to Manatí from Lares, a small town full of patriotic history”. Orlando grew with the influence of country music but loved the Plena as much as Benjamin. He played trumpet in few bands like “La Manatieña” Orchestra and “Abram Paso”. They both shared the same passion and wanted to preserve Puerto Rico’s culture through music. Soon after, with the help from some friends from Dorado, another town where the municipal authorities continuously promoted the Plena, they met the key person for defining PlenaSon’s unique style, our excellent musical arranger, Sol Rexy Ramos. So, they turned to him for arranging “Dime Nena “and some other cover songs.
Benjamin and Orlando had decided the composition of the band in terms of instrumentation so now they both started hiring musicians they new. On trumpet and tenor saxophone, veteran trumpet player Gregorio Martinez “Papo Sonido” musical director in Abran Paso and music professor Eduardo Rodriguez, (tenor Sax,) both from Manatí were hired. For the piano, they convinced retired pianist Luis Cortes, a friend from Arecibo, from orchestra “Concepto Latino” and many other salsa bands in the area. On bass, baby bass builder and music professor Raimon Ramirez agreed to be in the band since the first time he knew about the concept. PlenSon’s traditional Plena percussion, composed of the “guiro”, conga and three “panderos” or hand drums was composed by five excellent musicians: music professor Rafael Rivera, (guiro), who is also a vocalist and trombone player in PlenaSon’s “comparsa”, percussionist Rafael Pillot, (conga) who also plays “batá, barriles”, and minor percussion. PlenaSon’s hand drums are delighted with the presence of two excellent players: “plenero del pueblo”, Benjamin Jimenez, PlenaSon’s founding father, and also from Manatí, “punteador” player Elvin Escobar, awarded with the first prize playing at national competitions held in Cataño P.R.
In order to enhance the listener experience and to be different from other groups in the genre, a full drum set was added to the traditional Plena percussion, played by Kenneth Cruz Jr. who is working on his degree in music from the “Universidad Interamericana def P.R.”.
Ok, the band is composed but what about the vocals, the front of the band, one of the key elements in any band. Benjamin and Orlando went for three singers. Two of them would be soloists, each with its own set of songs but also sing in choirs along each other songs while playing the third pandero required for full traditional Plena percussion. Not an easy task at all!! However PlenaSon was blessed with two great singers: veteran country music and salsa singer, Harry Meléndez and Domingo Vázquez, who turned out to be a revelation in composition and improvisation. Finally, Salsa and Plena master, Miguel Rodríguez, “Canito de Sabana Seca”, a singer that was born for the Plena. Known and respected by salsa stars such as Victor Manuel among others. Miguel composed and sings PlenaSon’s album theme song, El Reclamo De La Plena.
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As soon as the arrangements were completed PlenaSon started rehearsals at Semilla Studios downtown Manati. Soon enough, more compositions got to Benjamin’s hands that were relayed to Sol Rexy. Then one day, the first gig at Paseo La Princesa, San Juan. Later, we got another one at Dorado. After that came Festival de La Hamaca, San Sebastian. PlenaSon had taken off.
From that point on, PlenSon’s trajectory was very rewarding. Recording that first CD El Reclamo De La Plena and enjoying the presentations while promoting our culture to the world through appearances in international TV shows such as Tenderete, a musical show seen in more than a 100 different countries. On local TV appearances in prime time shows such as: “Anda Pa’l Cara, El Show de Marcano, De Noche con Silverio Pérez” and “Feliz Domingo”. Our CD is played in many AM and FM radio stations and was heard and sold all over P.R. We performed in private activities in “Palmas Del Mar Resort”, Humacao, El Botín restaurant, and many others at hotels in the San Juan area such as the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Cultural Festivals such as “Cantata a Corretjer“ in Ciales, “Festival del Guineo” in Lares, “Festival Playa Magui” in Hatillo, “Fiestas de la calle San Sebastian” in San Juan, “Festival Jesus Mediador” in Bayamon and “Festival Navideño” in Morovis among others. Outside Puerto Rico PlenaSon made a presentation in “A Slice of Latin America” ninth annual gala, New York City.
PlenaSon has come a long way and Benjamin and I are very pleased with the outcome of this project. I’m sure you’ll like it also. Let the rhythm settle on your soul. Your feet will want to follow the beat. Let it be, as then your state of mind will be in happy mode. Listen to the beautiful lyrics, let your feelings flow with PlenaSon and our mission will be accomplished.
Latin: Plena