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Grupo Niche ist wohl die wichtigste Institution der Salsa, die in den letzten drei Jahrzehnten aus Kolumbien gekommen ist. Mit jedem neuen Album eine echte Hitproduktionsmaschine, wenn man so will. Wenn es einen verantwortlichen dafür gibt, ist es Jairo Varela und die ersten Mitglieder der Gruppe, darunter Nino Caicedo und Alexis Lozano, die irgendwann mal in den 80ern beschlossen, die Wurzeln der Folklore des kolumbianischen Pazifiks neu zu entdecken und mit den Rhythmen der Karibik zu fusionieren, ohne deren Identität zu opfern. Unvergesslich "Buenaventura y Caney", DER Klassiker ihres ersten Albums.
Eine ganze Schule von Musikern ging aus der Gruppe hervor: Sänger wie Tito Gomez (Sonora Poncena), Moncho Santana, Javier Vasquez und Charlie Cardona formten sich darin und Gruppen wie "Guayacan" und "La Orquestra International los Niches" hatten ihren Ursprung in den Niches. Mehr als 20 musikalische Produktionen und mehr als 30 Hits, die im Repertoire jedes Salseros, der etwas auf sich hält, vorhanden sind, kamen so auf den Markt. Nicht umsonst ist die "Grupo Niche" das Orchester, das sich am besten in Ausland verkauft; eine Agenda angefüllt mit Konzertterminen zeugt davon.
Die USA sind das Land, in dem die Niches am häufigsten auf der Bühne zu sehen sind, deshalb haben sie sich in Miami niedergelassen. In Kolumbien sind sie nur einmal im Jahr zum Jahresende zu sehen: in der Feria von Cali, Veranstaltung, zu der sie nicht fehlen dürfen, mischen sie sich unter die große Zahl der Künstlern, die jedes Jahr in der "Hauptstadt des Salsa" die Rumba entzünden. In den letzten Jahren sind der Name "Grupo Niche" und Jairo Varela untrennbar miteinander verbunden, weil die Formation ohne dieses Genie und ohne seine Verrücktheiten undenkbar wäre.
Ihre letzte Produktion, "Control Absoluto", läuft bereits in den Radiostationen heiß und soll die "Wiedererscheinung der Poesie in der Salsa" sein, mit Texten voller Gefühle, ohne Trivialitäten, mit kurzen, tiefgründigen Sätzen, die nicht einmal dem besten Kavalier in den Sinn gekommen wäre.
The history of a legend: A MYTH NAMED GRUPO NICHE
The first symptom that GRUPO NICHE was turning into a legend was noted a few years ago when Jairo Varela, its director and front man, could not be found by the world press, which was desperately searching for him. The confirmation of the legend came recently. On December 27, 1996, before 30,000 people at a Super-concert at the Fair of Cali, Colombia, the name Jairo was tirelessly shouted in standing ovation. The world press, having finally found him, was testimony to this event. Since then, Varela's existence began to be drenched in mythology, to acquire a celebrity status like those characters whom live on the cusp of immortality, whom seem to remain in the world of neon which cannot be easily escaped. Nevertheless, he does frequently escape; he is able to peel himself from those molded letters of neon which spell out the word NICHE, he arises from the records and characters and submerges in his thoughts, profound, reflective and alone, he exposes himself to the creative process. He dedicates his time to his family, especially his children, whom de adores. More than a composer, Jairo Varela is a sensitive and rather introverted man, who prefers his songs to speak of everyday things.
WHO IS JAIRO VARELA? The Master Jairo Varela Martínez was born the 9th of December, 1949 in Quibdó, in the state of Chocó, Colombia, in the home of the small businessman Pedro Antonio Varela Restrepo and the poet/writer Teresa de Jesús Martínez Arce. His first experience in music was at the age of eight years old, with the group "La Timba".
The first time that he began to dream was in 1980. Living in Bogotá, he had hundreds of aspirations, many songs, and a simple, but soaring word, which, six years later, transformed his life: NICHE. With these five letters Salsa music was revolutionized. It typified the music made in Colombia for the rest of the world and showed the world that Colombia had something more than just cumbias and vallenatos ; that they also knew how to play salsa, and export it. For everything that Niche has meant in the context of Latin American Salsa; for its originality, for its ability to show a thematic and interpretive style, and for elevating its category, NICHE has become a living legend of contemporary salsa.
Varela's life and dreams began the immense and luminous journey into the tunnel of fame and glory, and Varela did not have time to bid farewell to his friends nor his loves. When someone in Colombia wanted to hear GRUPO NICHE, their only recourse was to listen to the band's records in their homes, for Varela and his band were busy racing around the world. Varela's artistic talent and commercial abilities were inherited by his Grandfather Eladio Martínez Vélez, considered by historians to be one of the first Black industrialists in Colombia. He also learned mechanics and guitar from his Grandfather, whose memory has followed him since he was a child to this day. In conversations with friends, Varela confesses that his Grandfather appears to him in hotels and different scenes all over the world, as if refusing to stop being his spiritual guide.
His Mother and Father separated when he was three years old. His Mother, Teresa Martínez de Varela, was a great writer who always supported young Jairo in his musical career, opening the door for him to enter the difficult world of song writing. "Since the beginning, she saw my abilities. At eight years of age, she gave me a guitar with the little money she had. Just imagine, she made a great sacrifice in her life to give me this gift", recalls Varela. Varela's first compositions were "Difícil" and "Atrato Viajero".
GRUPO NICHE IS BORN Grupo Niche was formed in 1980 in Bogotá, founded by Jairo Varela Martínez y originally made up of a hand full of young musicians from the state of Chocó. Niche was conceived as a new alternative salsa, seeing as the musical panorama of that time in Colombia was quite poor. Varela was able to take advantage of this fact to introduce a more international style and flavor, which was a hit with salsa lovers. In addition to breaking away from the pre-existing musical structure, his music reflected a break from the thematic dogma as Varela took on Afro-centric issues, with all of their social and ethnic implications, thus conquering a new place in the national market. Nevertheless, Varela did not only sing to blacks, but also to his homeland, Chocó, its problems, its marginality and its poverty. With these strategies, he gained a lot of support in Colombia and the way was padded for his international success.
PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GRUPO NICHE
In 1986, for the first time, a Colombian orchestra presents in the majestic stage of Madison Square Garden. Grupo Niche arrived at the world Salsa Festival and played along with the top salsa acts in the world, leaving such an excellent impression and great reviews that was the point of departure of their successful career.
In March of 1989 Grupo Niche played to more than one million people at their concert in Perú. During this concert there were injuries and similar incidents caused by the ecstasies created by Niche's songs.
In September of 1989, Grupo Niche arrived in Europe for the first time and staged their first European tour, visiting France, England, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain.
In 1990, Musivisa, affiliate of Televisa, acquires discografic and promotional rights y of the orchestra and organizes the first Mexican tour of Grupo Niche, where they played an extended tour of 16 concerts at large venues such as the mythical "Salón Tropicana".
Grupo Niche has visited the United States over 100 times, where hundreds of thousands of fans have attended concerts in such places as Washington, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Rhode Island, etc. Niche is one of the few orchestras admired by North Americans and Latinos alike.
In their sixteen years of existence, Grupo Niche has participated en the largest and most traditional festivals in Colombia, where they have on various occasions triumphed as the top band. They have played at the Carnaval of Barranquilla, Feria de Cali, Feria de Manizales, Carnavales de Blancos y Negros in Nariño, at the Reinado del Bambuco in Neiva, at the Reinado Nacional de la Belleza de Cartagena, at the Fiestas del Petróleo in Barrancabermeja, not to mention many, many more.
On an international level, Niche has played at the largest venues in the world and has represented Colombia at infinite concerts such as : the Independence of Cuba in Miami y and the Calle Ocho Celebrations, Festivals of Salsa of Ralph Mercado in New York, and has visited countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Perú, Panamá, México, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republica, Curazao, Bahamas, Aruba, among others.
DISTINCTIONS AND AWARDS
During the artistic career of Grupo Niche, the orchestra has received dozens of Gold and Platinum records for their excellent sales. Grupo Niche has also been the recipient of an infinity of awards and special distinctions around the world.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
5 Gold Congos, Festival of orchestras, Carnaval of Barranquilla, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997
Furia Musical Award 1994 (México)
Aplauso Award 1994 (United States)
"Lo Nuestro" Awards Univisión 1995 (United States)
Voltaje Award:
Best National Artist, by popular vote 1996 (Cali - Colombia)
"Lo mejor de Lo mejor" Award 1998. Lima (Perú).
"GLOBO" 1999 (United States)
"GLOBO" 2000 (United States)
"CASANDRA" Awards 2000, (Dominican Republic)
"GLOBO" 2000 (Best International Group)
"PREMIO ESTRELLA" 2001, Recognition to the artistic talent of tropical music in New York
"LATIN GRAMMY NOMINATION" 2001, Album del año
"PREMIOS ORQUIDEA" 2002, The Best Tropical Group
"PREMIOS JEZ" 2002, The Best Salsa Group.
