Artists

José Madera Timbal de Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente, Mambo Legends Orchestra and Fania Record Co.

The musician, arranger and composer who has yet to find the time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands in existence.

José Madera, Timbal of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente & Fania All-Stars — osé Madera, born on September 30th

One might think that working for Tito Puente’s famous band can keep a percussionist busy enough.

But musician, arranger and composer Jose Madera had found time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands in the world.

Before joining Tito Puente over 35 years ago, Madera played for four years with the famous Machito Orchestra and recorded with many R&B artists (including James Brown, Diana Ross, David Sanborn and Aztec Two – Step).

Jose musical director of Mambo Legends Orchestra

As an arranger for Fania Records, he participated in several commercial hits, and over the years has composed music for Fania All-Stars, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colón and Celia Cruz.

Despite having recorded some 75 albums in 20 years, as well as numerous radio jingles and movie soundtracks, Madera still had time for his other career: for 15 years he worked as a teacher and director at a privately funded performing arts high school in New York City.

Jose has written many arrangements for countless commercial Latino artists and has also recorded or worked with many of them.

Some of them include: Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Chico O’Farill, the Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Celia Cruz, Tito Rodriguez, Fania All-Stars, Willie Colon, Joe Farrell, Machito, Graciela, Mario Bauzá, Willie Rosario, Earl Klughand, Eddie Palmieri, to name a few. Jose also worked and recorded with many pop, R&B and jazz artists.

Some of them include Diana Ross, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, George Benson and Lionel Hampton, among others.

Jose has participated in over 250 recordings. He has worked on several television show soundtracks, including The Simpsons, and several film soundtracks, including The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, where he was the musical arranger and conductor for the Tito Puente film segment.

Jose also taught the art of playing Latin percussion instruments at BOYS HARBOR in New York City for 28 years.

Jose has done and continues to do musical clinics around the country at various schools.

He was the musical director of the Latin Giants of Jazz from 2001 to 2009.

Jose continues his musical direction with Mambo Legends Orchestra, a band composed of former members of the Tito Puente Orchestra, which is dedicated to the execution of new and creative Latin and Latin Jazz concepts, as well as some of the music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente.

Jose has personally recreated and re-arranged much of the music that the bands performed during the heyday of the mambo at the Palladium Ballroom in New York City, which many critics consider to be the “Greatest and Most Innovative Era” in the history of Latin music.

Madera’s father, Jose “Pin” Madera, a saxophonist, was one of the original members of the Machito Afrocubans.

The young Jose was influenced by Machito’s drummer (“the best Latin Big Band drummer I’ve ever heard”). He was later influenced by José Mangual and Tito Puente himself.

Madera's father, Jose "Pin" Madera, saxophonist, was one of the original members of the Machito Afrocubans — José Madera was influenced by José Mangual Padre and Tito Puente himself

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Manny Cruz and Daniel Santacruz in Forbes magazine

Both artists are on the “most creative” list of the prestigious magazine

The Dominican Republic edition of the prestigious Forbes magazine has put Manny Cruz and Daniel Santacruz on the cover. There is an article dedicated to both of them as “the most creative in the region”.

In the article we see many compliments towards both brothers, where they highlight how much Manny’s lyrics have meant for the audiences, saying that little by little he has become “one of the main exponents of the new merengue generation”, something that is easy to say, but that has been a difficult achievement to reach. The magazine also summarizes the artistic career of the Dominican, highlighting the most important moments of his career, such as the beginning of this, as well as the most impressive goals he has achieved over the years.

On the other hand, his brother Daniel received a lot of compliments too, to get an idea, we just need to know that the article describes him as “the world ambassador of bachata”, a title that he has earned through the years. The singer has crossed all kinds of borders, becoming a highly recognized artist internationally.

In addition to these talented brothers review, we can also perceive how excited both artists are when reading their words about their new single together, which, although at the moment the exact month of the release is not known, the American has made it clear that it will come out early next year, so the followers of both are waiting for the news on this promising song.

Manny Cruz and Daniel Santacruz in the prestigious Forbes magazine

The 2020 of the brothers

Without a doubt, 2020 has been one of the most unpredictable years in recent times, and there is no wonder why, with a threatening pandemic that has been around since the end of 2019, the complications for all have been many, and artists are no exception. However, the inconveniences that have arisen have not been enough to stop the success of these two singers.

Manny Cruz has said in interviews that he is very happy with the commercial impact that this year has had, making it clear that the success of his songs in countries like Venezuela makes his heart overflow with joy. Regarding his success, he also said that he has always dreamed big, and pointed out the importance of setting clear goals to achieve. On the other hand, Daniel Santacruz has been genuinely happy to get the prestigious “Latin Grammy” for best merengue and / or bachata album, a goal that countless artists dream of reaching.

They come with the best vibes for this new year, also with very ambitious projects in which they are putting all their hearts.

Despite how strange the situation was in 2020, both artists have had very good moments, which makes us think that 2021 can be even better, not only because of the promising song they made together, but also because everything seems to indicate that their careers will not stop progressing in a positive way.

Tito Rojas passes away at 65 years of age

Tito Rojas, The Puerto Rican artist passed away this December 26

The bad news in 2020 does not stop coming, after a hard year full of unfortunate events, a few days before the year ends, Julio César Rojas López, better known as Tito Rojas, died this Saturday, December 26. His death was confirmed by both the authorities of Puerto Rico and the statements of his daughter Jessica Rojas.

According to the testimonies given, the relatives of the salsa singer found his lifeless body on the balcony of his residence in Tejas de Humacao, a municipality of Puerto Rico, subsequently, they called 911 to report his unfortunate death. Although everything seems to indicate that the cause of death was a heart attack, it has not yet been confirmed by the doctors in charge of carrying out the autopsy, however, it is expected that such confirmation will come in the next few days.

The news came as a surprise to everyone, especially because a few days before this horrible news, he offered a virtual show for all his fans, and he seemed to be in good health, so the unfortunate news has caused a great impact.

“El gallo de la salsa”, as he (Tito Rojas) was known internationally, lived 65 years, and his music has inspired many artists of the salsa genre, who have had him as a reference. As expected, great Latin American artists have spoken about it through social media.

Tito Rojas dies — Tito Rojas passes away on december 26.

Artists share their thoughts about the singer’s death

The salsa singer Tony Vega shared a photo of Tito Rojas and accompanied it with the following words: “A colleague, a friend, today we mourn his departure, but we will always carry him in our hearts.” On the other hand, Gilberto Santa Rosa also offered a message full of emotions through his Facebook and Twitter accounts: “I still can’t believe it… my dear Gallo. We will miss you and remember you in each song, in each saying and in each gesture of affection and companionship that you left. Rest in peace, my friend Tito”. Tito Rojas had participated in the new production of his compatriot Gilberto Santa Rosa, specifically in the song “Por la calle del medio”.

Other artists who have also expressed their condolences have been: Don Omar, Bad Bunny, Tito Nieves, Victor Manuelle, among many others; On the other hand, Tito’s have been such an important figure than even other well-known faces outside of the music industry also publicly lamented his death. Pedro Pierluisi and Wanda Vázquez, both governors of Puerto Rico, also share their sadness through their social media accounts.

Social networks continue to be filled with moving messages, as well as memories and anecdotes related to “El gallo de la salsa”, and due to the importance that Tito has had in the industry, this is certainly expected. After a long career full of successes, the interpreter of songs such as “Siempre seré”, “Señora de madrugada”, ” “Ella se hizo deseo” and many others, will be remembered as one of the greatest exponents of the salsa genre, his music to this day continues to inspire both veterans and emerging talents.

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Sandy from the duo Sandy and Papo passed away this December 23

Dominican Sandy Carriello died of a heart attack

On the morning of the December 23, the news of the death of the Dominican artist Sandy Carriello, better known for being the other half of the iconic MerenHouse duo Sandy and Papo, was announced. The 48-year-old artist left this world due to a sudden heart attack, as confirmed by close friends of the singer; which was found at his residence in New York City.

Mariano Lantigua, one of those friends, reported that the documentation required to carry out the funeral was already being done. Many Dominican artists have given their words of condolences for this sad loss, which mourns music in the Dominican Republic and the rest of Latin America where Papo, Sandy’s great inseparable friend, has always been fondly remembered.

Sandy was one of the loses for the latin music in 2020.

“I am on a plane and I have just received the sad news that Sandy, from the duo ´Sandy and Papo´ has just died. I’m very sorry, peace to your soul and conformity to the family ”. said the merenguero Jandy Ventura.

While Rufino Santos, a great friend of the family, confirmed the news through his social media: “Rest in peace dear friend Sandy Adalberto Carrillo Rojas (1972-2020) May God welcome you into his holy bosom. Now you can sing along with Papo from heaven.”

Many of these words of condolences have been accompanied by the iconic phrase “Pa que goces con Sandy y Papo” which was the iconic line that characterized the duo throughout their career, along with: now the two will fill heaven with a lot of merengue house.

The duo Sandy and Papo

Sandy was originally a rapper who performed at concerts, clubs, and even television shows alongside a rap and hip-hop group that he formed himself. It was in one of those presentations where he met Luis Deschamps better known as Papo.

It was not until 1989 that hip-hop and rap gained popularity in the Dominican Republic starting a great story, all thanks to Sandy who at that time used the name Sandy MC, along with the other members of the Boogie Down Rap group: Mariano MC, Careta, Mofeta, Chinito and Berman. In 1991 he had the opportunity to move to New York where he reunited with Papo, and they decided to try their luck together.

In 1992 they were discovered by Pavel de Jesús and Porfirio Piña who had called an audition to replace some members of the well-known groups Proyecto Uno and Clan De La Furia. That same year they participated in the remix of the song “La dueña del swing” performed by Los Hermanos Rosario. In 1995 they released their first album under the Pacha Records label and distributed by Antilla Records Distributors. This production brought them international fame, managing to position themselves in the top places on the radio in different countries such as: the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, the United States and even Canada, places where they also made different presentations.

Sandy & Papo was one of the first urban groups. — This group put the base for the urban genre.

This production led them to be the pioneers of urban music in the Dominican Republic and one of the foundations of this current genre. But everything changed in 1999 when Papo passed away due to a car accident in Santo Domingo. In 2000 Sandy released an album dedicated to his friend that became very famous. From then on, Sandy’s career remained solid, reaching several hits and working with many renowned artists who have always respected him. Rest in peace, Sandy!

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Armando Manzanero “The King of Romanticism” left us this morning

Master Armando Manzanero said goodbye to us due to covid-19 complications

The morning of December 28, Mexico and the rest of Latin America woke up to the sad news of the death of another of its great artists: Maestro Armando Manzanero. A few days ago it was announced that the singer-songwriter had tested positive for covid-19, the virus that has the world paralyzed and on edge, he was hospitalized on December 17 for complications associated with it.

Despite informing that Armando was improving at respiratory level after being intubated, it was reported that he would remain under observation for some kidney problems. This morning the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico, of which he was the president, announced his death due to a heart attack associated with his complications.

With his 86 years, the maestro always remained active, contributing a lot to the history of Latin music and his native Mexico. Nobody would have thought that we will not only say goodbye to 2020 but also to the great musician, his ashes will be delivered to his family during this Monday, which will be transferred to his born city Mérida, where at the beginning of the month he had inaugurated the Casa Manzanero museum where the best milestones of his career of more than 60 years are exhibited.

Armando Manzanero was one of the greatest — The master Armando Manzanero.

The incredible long career of Armando Manzanero

Armando Manzanero passed away at the age of 86, leaving a legacy of golden years on stage with his favorite instrument: the piano, demonstrating the great talent that exists in Latin America. In 1950 he composed what would be his first tune “Never in the world”, this was only the beginning of his great career.

There are more than 400 songs that the maestro composed, which are divided between those used for his own discography and those that many artists have had the honor of singing, among which we can name: Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Angélica María, Luis Fonsi, Belinda, Joan Sebastian, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, Roberto Carlos, Andrés Calamaro, Ana Torroja, Ana Gabriel, Daniela Romo, Laura Pausini, Cristian Castro, Alejandro Fernández, Lucero, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Montaner, Miguel Bosé, Rocío Dúrcal, Raphael, David Bisbal, Pedro Fernández, José José, Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernández and many more.

Armando Manzanero died last December — The King of Romanticism is no longer with us.

Not only did he participate in songwriting for albums and artists, but he also participated in the composition of many songs for movies and soap operas. Among all his great awards are several Grammys including the Award for Musical Excellence for his great contributions to music.

The Recording Academy posted on its Twitter account: “Armando Manzanero, recipient of the Award for Musical Excellence and winner of the Latin GRAMMY, as well as a great friend of the Academy, has left us. We celebrate his life and work. Irreparable loss for the world of Latin music. We accompany the Manzanero family in their deep pain.”

We must remember that the maestro was honored this year in many ways, the most memorable were those made at the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin Grammy, no one thought that they would be the last tributes in life for Mr. Manzanero. During this week more posthumous tributes, and many words from different Latin artists are expected.

Rest in peace Armando Manzanero, may heaven be filled with his romantic words and great tunes!

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