pop writer

Big band leader Luis Casal shares a philosophy with British jazz artist Brian Auger: "Build a bigger, better band and they will come."

The Norman resident, OU doctoral candidate (music) and citizen of Panama is founder and director of our undisputed best Latin jazz ensemble: Orquesta Ron y Ritmo. Translation: Rum and Rhythm Orchestra.

Casal's collective of musicians has been a constantly morphing fiesta of old and new talent. Orquesta Ron y Ritmo's July 30 show at The Deli was to be Mark Wilcox's (trumpet) last of many and Boyd Littell's (percussion) first.

Casal's lady friend Anna Marie Noggle (soprano) was visiting, on leave from New York's DiCapo opera company. She joined the chorus for a night. Grizzled veteran Larry Hammett (bass) played with talented, budding vocalists Leslie Iglesia and Micki.

Stefan Ice (congas), Carina Joly (keys), Ricardo Souza (trap set), E.J. Lada (trombone) and Eric Walschap (saxophone) defined caliente. Several are Casal's Ph.D. classmates. "We're mostly all classically-trained," he said.

"Some friends asked me why I don't put a band together, so I called who I thought were the best musicians in town," Casal said. "They're professionals, some of whom are faculty or in the Oklahoma Philharmonic. It's an international group with members from Brazil, Colombia, two Panamanians and the United States. We do old standards and try to take it as seriously as we can. It's old school. We do rhythms that are kind of lost like cha-cha and mambo. You won't even hear them in my country or Venezuela," he said.

The Bronx's Eddie Palmieri, Juillard-educated charanga genius, was first in Casal's list of influences. "We'll also play some Buena Vista Social Club," Casal said.

"I also listen to old folk music from my country so I won't forget my roots. It's played with a little guitar called mejorana, then we have a set of drums called pujador, repicador and caja. There's a lot of poetry in Panamanian music. We have the biggest salsa star, Ruben Blades, and we'll play some of his music."

Casal's muses were touching. "I write songs that honor my girlfriend, family and country. Orquesta Ron y Ritmo will play a song I wrote just for Anna Marie called 'Princessa.' It's a bolero for a beautiful princess that's only been performed for a Japanese audience before tonight," he said.

Casal's life-changing records: "David Oistrak's 'Concerto for violin' by Sibelius, and one by Rabanes who mix the folk music of my country with rock 'n' roll."

Casal named the countries that have contributed most to salsa. "The United States definitely because it originated in New York. Also Cuba, Puerto Rico and all Central America."

New York City?!