Austin Vida and Bemba Entertainment Showcase April 8, 2011

Austin Vida and Bemba Entertainment are combining forces again to bring you another "kick ass" event for the Spring season on April 8, 2011 at Flamingo Cantina in Austin, Texas.

Austin Vida by itself has produced several successful showcases featuring exceptional Latin and Latino member bands at Stubb's, The Parish, Ruta Maya and Mi Casa Cantina as well several Listening Parties in association with Nacional Records and Fania Records.

Bemba Entertainment also has a long track record of exceptional showcases in Austin. Bemba Entertainment currently books world music bands for KUT 90.5fm World Music Night every Tuesday at Momo's and has produced several theme based showcases. For example, recent Soul Legends Series, tributes to Isley Brothers, Nina Simone, Rick James and Teena Marie, Bill Withers plus World Beat cruises and music on Lady Bird Lake.

This showcase will feature a local band from Austin, a regional Texas band and a touring band from Kansas City, Missouri. The local Austin, Texas band is Este Vato, a hybrid band which features a DJ, an MC, a horn section and specializes in Latin Fusion, Cumbia and Rock. The regional band from Corpus Christi, Texas is Master Blaster Sound System, a band which includes samples, loops and dance beats mixed by member DJ Dus. Master Blaster also includes talented members from La Conquista and Charanga Cake. The band creates unique music they call "Cumbia Krunk." The touring band is Making Movies, no stranger to Austin, a collective of exceptionally talented musicians which perform Indie music in English and Spanish with a definite Latin flair.

Venue: Flamingo Cantina located at 515 East 6th Street in Austin, Texas

Date: April 8, 2011

Cover Charge: $8 (18 years+) Doors Open at 9:00 PM

Musical Line-up and Times:

Este Vato at 10:00 PM
Making Movies at 11:15 PM
Master Blaster Sound System at 12:30 AM

This special showcase is the best entertainment in Austin on April 8th and features the best musical talent around. The fact that all the bands perform Latin music and have Latinos in the bands is purely coincidental.


Este Vato


Making Movies


Master Blaster Sound System


To keep up with everything "Latin" in Austin, Texas check out Austin Vida's Event's Calender.

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"Between the Sheets - An Isley Brother Tribute" A Smash Hit

Bemba Entertainment's first show of the monthly Soul Legend series took place at Momo's on Friday January 21, 2011. It was a Smash Hit! Brandon Badillo, founder of Bemba Entertainment, chose the Isley Brothers as the first Soul Legend tribute and assembled the unique Bemba Family Soul Band for the series. After hearing the band, Brandon made the right choice in creating the band for the tribute and more so in the selection of the exceptional musicians . The band had the right sound and the right orchestral mix that created the "feel" of an oldies soul band.

Brandon had vintage record giveaways, a special dance performance by Ballet Afrique and also paid tribute to the late, great Teena Marie.

It was a great night for music, dance and fun. The atmosphere was electric, the house was packed and Momo's is always a gracious host. After the show, one thing I found humorous was that the crowd didn't want to leave. They still wanted more, I guess the euphoria from "Between The Sheets" hadn't worn off.

Dan Dyer and Sonia Moore with special guest Sharee Smith did a great job in re-creating the Isley Brothers tunes. Check out the videos of their performances.









The next in the Soul Legend series is "Wild Is The Wind - A Tribute to Nina Simone" on February 19, 2011 at King-Seabrook Chapel located in the Huston-Tillotson University campus, 900 Chicon Street in Austin, Texas.

"Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute"

Bemba Entertainment, known for creating unique and fun themed events, is initiating a monthly series dedicated to paying tribute to Soul Music Legends. The first of the series will be "Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute" on Friday January 21, 2011 at Momo's in Austin, Texas.

Brandon Badillo, founder of Bemba Entertainment, has assembled a special collection of talented and soulful musicians for this series and event. The band is called Bemba Family Soul Band and Sonia Moore will front this ensemble. Sonia "Saja"Moore, a veteran singer, started singing at age 6 and at 16 was a featured singer in MC Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit" album. This will be the second band Brandon has assembled for a show. He put together the Bemba Beat Arkestra for his "Birthday Felabration for Fela Kuti the Creator of Afrobeat" on October 15, 2010 at Red 7. Personally, I've been to numerous Bemba Entertainment events and I thought the Birthday Felabration was the best event ever because of the Bemba Beat Arkestra and the other bands in the line-up. I expect Brandon will do even better with this Isley Brothers Tribute.

The Isley Brothers have been around for a long while, since the 1950's. They combined gospel, R&B, soul, funk, disco for a unique and soulful sound. Some of the more notable songs they've released are "Twist and Shout" in 1962, "This Old Heart of Mine" in 1966 and "It's Your Thing" in 1969, just to name a few songs. The Isley Brothers have influenced all genres of music and musicians and as a result, in 1992 were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It is fitting that we pay tribute to such soul legends to keep the legend alive and perhaps introduce the Isley Brothers to a new generation of music lovers.

Event Details: "Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute"

Date: Friday January 21, 2011
Time: 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Doors Open at 9:30 PM)

Venue: Momo's located 618 West Sixth Street Austin, Texas 78701

Cover Charge: $10.00

Musical Line-up: Bemba Family Soul Band along with DJ Aquaman
Featured Guest: Dan Dyer and Trey Seals



The second show in the series is definitely in the works. Keep up to date with Bemba Entertainment for all shows in the series because they promises good music, good entertainment and fun for your hard earned money.

Afrofreque CD Release Party at Momo's

Last night was the Afrofreque CD Release at Momo's presented by Bemba Entertainment. This is the third time I've seen Afrofreque in the last 30 days and still want more. I saw them recently at the Birthday Felabration for Fela Kuti at Red 7 and at the Funk Freak Halloween Ball at ND at Studio 501, also produced by Bemba Entertainment, and last night at Momo's. They just won me over immediately. They are Funk, Soul, Rap, Hip Hop, R&B and more. All the people at Momo's last night were definitely moved to dance, bounce or sway to the music. I purchased Afrofreque's new CD,"Jewels and Gems," so I get to hear them anytime I want.

I do have to thank Brandon Badillo of Bemba Entertainment for continuously producing numerous themed showcases like the Birthday Felabration and the Funk Freak Halloween Ball which have been great events and experiences. Brandon has the knack of selecting the right musical talent, the right venue and the ability to create a unique experience that people want to attend and then look forward to the next event.

The musical line up last night included Dawni McCray, Adam Rodgers, Soulkitchen, Afrofrique and Courtney Sanchez and SWAY. I did get to record video of Soul Kitchen, Afrofreque and Courtney Sanchez and SWAY. It was an exceptional night for music.







To find out what Bemba Entertainment has planned check out the Bemba Calender.

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Making Movies At Momo's November 2, 2010

Making Movies, a band from Kansas City, Missouri, is on tour and performed at Momo's in Austin, Texas on Tuesday November 2 , 2010 for KUT 90.5fm World Music Night presented by Bemba Entertainment. Making Movies is a band which performs both in English and Spanish but the Latin influence is the dominant flavor. Their music is very Rock, Latin and Pop and really appeals to very broad audience. On Tuesday, aside from their exceptional play list, they played a White Stripes cover song, "Seven Army Nation." To put it mildly, I liked the hell out of their version of the cover version. The song started out with a Latin flair but then morphed into a Santana cover then back to "Seven Army Nation." I was a fantastic blend of two songs and artist. Making Movies is very creative and very original. Catch a performance or two if you can, check Tour Schedule.


Below is video of cover song, "Seven Army Nation," and another exceptional song performed by Making Movies from Tuesday night's performance at Momo's





Bemba Entertainment presents World Music Night every Tuesday at Momo's. Check Bemba's Calendar or Momo's Calender for information. See you there.

Jazz Puerto Rico Brings ¡Sabor! to Momo's

I went to Momo's on September 28, 2010, my usual Tuesday night hang out, to see what Bemba Entertainment had in store. The line up listed Jazz Puerto Rico, Cerronato and Bubba Hernandez y Los Super Vatos. Now I'm real familiar with Cerronato and Bubba Hernandez, they are a couple of most my favorite bands that I always enjoy seeing. Jazz Puerto Rico ,though, peaked my interest. I had never heard of the band and really didn't know what type of music they played. Well, it turns out that Jazz Puerto Rico plays Salsa, Cha Cha and Merengue. I've heard and seen several "Salsa" bands and some are good and some are so-so. Jazz Puerto Rico is really good. I was totally impress with their music and musicianship. I liked their sound, the variety of music and they were tight or seamless. When it comes to bands, I like a band with a brass section. The Jazz Puerto Rico section had three trombones and a baritone sax. This band could hold their own in any Salsa club anywhere. The only thing that concerned me about Jazz Puerto Rico was that they are not an active participant in social media. There's just no information on the web. I guess my blog and YouTube videos may be a beginning? Jazz Puerto Rico is a great band and definitely deserves to be seen and heard.

Check out a sample of their performance:

World Beat Cruise with Jai Roots

I had so much fun on the last World Beat Cruise that I again booked another passage. There are several reasons why I was back on the cruise. First, Bembe Entertainment knows how to throw a party. Second, you have a large Capital Cruises party boat on Lady Bird Lake in downtown scenic Austin, Texas. Third, you have liquor, food, DJ Jah Karma and live music. Fourth, Jai Roots & the Herb-n-Café Project was the band for the cruise. I had recently seen Jai Roots and the Project at Momo's and immediately liked them. Jai Roots is very charismatic and has a striking stage presence. The Project is strong musically and cranks up the Reggae and World Beat music. If I had to be on a party boat for "a three hour cruise," I would definitely pick Jai Roots and the Project.

Brandon Badillo welcomes the party people to the third of four Bemba Entertainment World Beat Cruises.



Picturesque view of party go-ers and scenic view from cruise boat.



Jai Roots & the Herb-n-Café Project perform "ChanChan" to get party started.



The final World Beat Cruise of the series will be on September 29, 2010. Don't miss out. You now have a pretty good idea of what the cruise will be like.

Making Movies: A Band Making a Name

Making Movies, a Latin alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, was at Momo's last night. They're touring to promote their new CD, IN DEO SPERAMUS. I had read about Making Movies last year in Café magazine and in their web publication. They drew my attention at that time and when I heard they were coming to the two day Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010 I was excited. Unfortunately part of the festival was canceled and Making Movies would not perform. I guess I would have to wait for another time. Well, I lucked out because Making Movies finally made it to Austin, Texas. Bemba Entertainment brought in Making Movies for the weekly "World Music Night" sponsored by KUT 90.5fm at Momo's.

Making Movies has definitely made a buzz in the music industry in a short time. Their music was featured on AOL Musica and NPR Weekend Edition, "La Marcha" video is available on iTunes and Making Movies has toured with Grammy winners, Aterciopelados.

I like Making Movies. They blend all of my favorite Latin alternative bands into one creative and very talented group. They perform both in English and Spanish. Their music has influences of Latin, Afrobeat and also combines new music with old Latin and Spanish influences. I also like that their music is edgy and bold but not in your face. The percussion in the band adds depth and also gives it a full Latin flavor. Check these guys out soon and buy their In Deo Speramus CD.