A little bit of mambo and salsa to end the year with a smile is what the extraordinary Cuban singer Maggie Carles and a few of her friends hope to do at a matinee show on Dec. 30 and a New Year’s Eve evening show at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
The Dec. 30 show titled "Maggie Carles y sus amigos," will feature, in addition to Carles, singer Israel Kantor, and Las Hermanas Marquez.
Carles, a sensation in her native Cuba, is one of the most recognizable voices in the Latin world. She can sing popular American songs like "New York, New York," as well as jazz, rumba and opera. She has collaborated with tenor Placido Domingo and musician Pedro Flores on various projects. Her marriage to singer Luis Nodal has resulted in Carles’ side project Maggie y Luis, where the duo sings popular Cuban songs. She has performed on stages worldwide, and according to the show’s promoter, Jersey City resident Armando Lopez, Carles is a must see.
"She is one of the most influential Cuban singers today," Lopez said. "Maggie is coming to Schuetzen Park to perform the songs she is most famous for."
Carles recently teamed up with producer and composer Bebu Silvetti to record her most recent project, "Maggie Carles, canto, amo, sueno."
Also performing will be Kantor, the ex-soloist for the popular Cuban Orchestra Van Van. Kantor is a sonero singer who performed with the famous Cuban band for many years. His latest project is an album titled "Boleros de Oro," where he demonstrates his versatility with songs in son, guarcha, and bolero.
"Kantor is a musical talent well-known in the Cuban community," Lopez said. "He will be an excellent part of the show."
Like Kantor, Las Hermanas Marquez have been performing for more than two decades their soothing sounds of son and boleros. They are expected to be the first musical act during the show, according to Lopez.
On New Year’s Eve, Carles teams up with the same line-up for "Super Fiesta de fin de ano." Carles and Kantor will perform to a more intimate crowd, for a longer set.
"Maggie Carles y sus amigos" will start at 3 p.m. on Dec. 30 at the ballroom in Schuetzen Park. Tickets for the matinee show range from $25 to $50. The New Year’s Eve show will be at Casino Schuetzen Park and will begin at 9 p.m. It will include dinner, open bar for the entire night and parking. Tickets for the show will be $150 per person. Schuetzen Park is located on Kennedy Boulevard and 32nd Street in North Bergen. For ticket information call (800) 834-4332 or call Schuetzen Park at (201) 865-0868. The shows are a Cuban Jam production. q