NY Philharmonic delegation heads to Cuba to explore concert halls, might tour there in fall

October 1st, 2009 LA Phil's new conductor: 'Classical music is cool'LOS ANGELES — Gustavo Dudamel held his first rehearsal with the Los Angeles Philharmonic wearing trendy black sneakers and a persistent smile that showed the sheer fun he's having directing one of the world's premiere orchestras. As the 28-year-old conductor arrived at the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall Wednesday with his ballerina wife, Eloisa Maturen, he greeted onlookers with a fist bump and hugged musicians.

September 25th, 2009 Cuba: Pre-concert nerves caused Juanes outburstHAVANA — Cuba's official press said Friday that a Colombian rock star's nerves got the better of him before last weekend's historic "peace concert" in Havana, causing an outburst against authorities in which he threatened to cancel the show. The complaint by the Grammy-winning Juanes and other singers became an overnight sensation on YouTube and Spanish-language television, and has been held up by some Cuban exiles in South Florida as evidence of the communist-run island's repressive ways.

September 22nd, 2009 Colombian rocker JUANES united over a million Cuban fans in the name of peace on Sunday (20Sep09) when he defied death threats to play a concert in Havana. The singer announced plans for the Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders) show earlier this summer (09) and was immediately criticised by some Cuban-Americans for the gig, claiming it endorsed the Communist-led government of Fidel and Raul Castro.

September 21st, 2009 LONDON - Hundreds of thousands of people rocked to the tunes of some 15 top Latin American, Spanish, and Cuban performers at the Revolution Square, Havana, for a "Peace without Borders" concert. The free event, the biggest open-air gig since the 1959 revolution, was organised by Colombian singer Juanes.

September 21st, 2009 Colombian pop star JUANES promised fans a "peaceful" Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders) concert in Havana, Cuba - despite threats he will be killed when he steps onstage. The singer prepared for the historic show as planned on Sunday (20Sep09) - following weeks of attacks from some Cuban exiles, who claim the event is a show of support for the Fidel Castro regime and have threatened the Juanes' life if he takes the stage at the Jose Marti Revolution Plaza concert.

September 18th, 2009 Belafonte calls for better US-Cuba relationsHAVANA — American singer Harry Belafonte said on a visit to Cuba on Friday that he was disappointed President Barack Obama has not done more to improve relations with the communist-run island, but that he was hopeful progress would come soon. "The policy toward Cuba — yes, I like a lot of people am disappointed," the 82-year-old singer known as the King of Calypso said in a brief interview with The Associated Press.

September 15th, 2009 Financier donate $10M to NY PhilharmonicNEW YORK — The New York Philharmonic says it will receive a $10 million gift from philanthropist Henry R. Kravis to endow its composer-in-residence program and fund the creation of an award in the field of new music.

September 9th, 2009 Rapper JAY-Z's intimate set in New York was disrupted on Wednesday night (09Sep09) when some sneaky fans' marijuana smoke set off the fire alarms. The hip-hop superstar was three quarters of the way through his free concert at Manhattan's Blender Theatre when sirens went off and the music cut out.

August 29th, 2009 Juanes still pressing on for Cuba concertNEW YORK — Juanes (WAH'-nez) is sorry for the outrage surrounding his upcoming peace concert in Cuba, but says his intentions are truly genuine. The Colombian singer has gotten criticism and even death threats for his plans to stage his "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana on Sept.

August 22nd, 2009 Cuba condemns threats against Juanes over concertHAVANA — Cuba is condemning threats made against Colombian pop singer Juanes, who plans to stage a "Peace Without Borders" concert next month in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution. Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto blamed anti-Castro exiles in the United States for the threats and said the Sept.

August 20th, 2009 Juanes receives threats over Cuba concertKEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Latin singer Juanes says he has received threatening internet messages since announcing he will play a concert in Cuba.

August 18th, 2009 Ruben Blades releases new CD after 6-year absencePANAMA CITY — Famed salsa musician Ruben Blades has released a new album after a six-year absence from the music scene. The 61-year-old Grammy winner from Panama says the CD, "Songs of Underdevelopment," is a tribute to Cuba, his mother's homeland.

August 14th, 2009 Irish rockers U2 plan to turn the elaborate stage sets from their current 360 world tour into stand-alone concert venues. The With Or Without You hitmakers are currently touring the globe using three massive steel structures, in the shape of giant claws, as part of the shows.

August 7th, 2009 Aerosmith guitarist says current tour in questionSTURGIS, S.D. — Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry said Friday he doesn't know if the band will keep its current tour going because of injuries lead singer Steven Tyler suffered when he fell off a stage.

June 12th, 2009 New York Philharmonic elects new chairmanNEW YORK — The New York Philharmonic has elected a new chairman — an investment banker involved in solving global financial problems linked to the economic meltdown. Gary W. Parr, 52, was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York Inc.