por Marvin Ramírez
Sergio D’ Fernández PHOTO BY MARVIN RAMIREZ
The musical glory in Nicaraguan salsa music is starting to take off in the U.S. as the star Luis Enrique – the salsero – tries to correct ‘errors’ of the past after his unpatriotic statements darkened his career for several years by identifying Puerto Rico as his beloved country over his own native one, Nicaragua. Certainly it cost him. His artistic career went down the drain for many years as thousands of his followers turned their backs on him.
Now, Luis Enrique, in a flash tour to the Golden Gate city—which could be referred to as fraud to the fans—got paid approximately $40,000 for his presentation, according to rumors, while he only sang for one hour. Nevertheless,he gained favor from his countrymen and other nationalities in the end, with a sweet flavor during the dance-concert event at the Hilton on May 8. To close the night, he sang the famous revolutionary song: Nicaragua, Nicaragüita probably as an apology to the public that felt betrayed by its idol. It could have been for convenience.
The Nicaraguans follow their idols, undoubtedly.
During the era of Santana Band, they followed the small giant closely, the big of the big ones who raised Nicaragua up to the highest heights—the timbalero, José ‘ Chepito ‘ Aréas.Other musicians did not come so highly, but have kept themselves in the public eye, such as Cali Alemán, with his success of Torero, which he recorded with the successful Colombian Orquesta Guayacán. Roger Danilo, and others to name a few, established a presence in the exclusive salsa market as well.
Nevertheless, one who has been sounding in silence as was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth as other musicians did, who were supported by recording labels or investment capitals during the take off of their careers, has just been born. His music is already breaking through in air time on radio stations and appearances TV networks.
Everything began with his own effort, and then pushed by local friends who, after listening to his music, became convinced that he is the new star to shine in the sky.
With a voice that has no need to envy singers like Marc Anthony or Luis Enrique, Sergio D’ Fernández has the vocal and musical hardware to be the new idol of salsa—in addition to style, personality and humility to win over hearts.
In an exclusive interview with El Reportero,D’ Fernández proudly iden-tifi es as part of the neighbor-hood of Managua, Máximo Jerez and other humble quarters, like the Barrio Los Pescadores – despite having been born in Los Angeles,California.
He emphasized his dis-covery at the age of 14.
“I approached one trio that was playing and asked them if they would allow me to sing and they let me…when I started singing the song, Amor a Dios (Love to God), they were amazed.The Postmen was the name of the local trio—they all were mailmen at the Post office of Nicaragua.” D’ Fernández joined the group thereafter.
From this opportunity,D’ Fernández began his singing career—other of-fers would come later. A salsa group looking for a singer hired him, establish-ing his career in salsa music.He sang with that group for 15 years, and then broke ground with his own music under its own direction and name.
From his birth town and domicile of Los Angeles,the second of his two CD recordings in 2009 is the jewel that is now springing him to fame. A song off this recording, Nicaragua is my Land, has shaken patriotic emotions and is on top of the hit parade at the national level in Nica- ragua. From radio stations in Managua, in the majority of the departments, includ-ing the Atlantic Coast; and internationally from El Salvador, Cuba, Sweden,Germany and Spain, Sergio D’ Fernández has received congratulations. The song mentions the majority of the departments.
D’ Fernández plans to write a song in honor of Chepito Aréas and have him play in his next CD as a Special Guest.
As the old proverb says, “Nobody is a prophet in one’s own land.” The singer, who started selling his CD on his own and doing publicity personally at a local level, found the help of a few new friends and countrymen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A friend of former box-ing champion Mike Galo,in Los Angeles asked Galo to helping promote a singer friend. Galo contacted promoter Alex Ocón and a friend Henry “ El Chele” Rodríguez in San Francisco.With their help, Sergio D’ Fernández got a much-need-ed push to bring his music to radio programs in San Fran-cisco and to the juke boxes of local restaurants.
It is hoped that the motto of Sergio’s career take should be: “Sergio D’ Fernández takes off from San Francisco,” Galo said.
“Sergio D’ Fernández will soon be in concert in San Francisco, “said Alex Acón, of Ocón Productions.For more information visit: http://www.myspace.com/ sergiodfernandez
