Biography

The Jeque and his Band present: “Ultimatum”, a musical gem with Hermán Olivera

A masterful fusion that redefines Guaguancó and Cha-Cha, celebrating the group’s tenth anniversary.

El Jeque y su Banda is a salsa ensemble based in Venezuela.

Under the direction of its founder and general manager, Lic. Ángel Martínez “El Jeque,” and with the impeccable musical direction, arrangements, and piano work of the renowned William “Willie” Melo, the band has established itself as a benchmark in the genre.

El Jeque y su Banda presenta “Ultimátum”, una joya musical junto a Hermán Olivera

Approaching ten years of professional trajectory, maintaining their momentum through persistence, passion, and dedication to their craft, the group celebrates this anniversary with the release of their fourth studio production: Evolución…El Jeque y sus Estrellas.

The Launch: “Ultimátum”

The purpose of this release is to announce the launch of their second promotional single, a piece crafted for the true music connoisseur: “Ultimátum.”

This musical gem features a collaboration with a legend of the genre, a world-renowned sonero and vocalist: Hermenegildo Olivera Suárez, globally known as “Hermán Olivera, El Sonero del Siglo XXI.”

Herman Olivera El Sonero del Siglo XII y Dj. Augusto Felibert

History and Evolution

This romantic-style track was originally recorded in 1981 by the great Puerto Rican interpreter Felipe “La Voz” Rodríguez.

The song was written by the legendary Puerto Rican composer Luz Celenia Tirado, who was the first woman recognized in the island’s challenging guild of troubadours and also performed on that original production.

On this occasion, El Jeque y su Banda takes the work in a new direction, transforming it into an aggressive Guaguancó fused with an elegant Cha-Cha.

The concept for this version was a creative endeavor led by Hermán Olivera, who defined the essence and intent of the track.

Ángel Martínez “El Jeque” y Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Subsequently, Luis Alberto and Willie Melo shaped the project, solidifying the final musical structure under the pen and direction of William “Willie” Melo, with the co-production of Luis Alberto “Redlouis” (Manager, Producer & Booking for Hermán Olivera).

Musical Virtuosity

It is remarkable how these music aficionados manage to mesh Guaguancó and Cha-Cha originally fused with a bolero with a versatility that preserves the essence, cadence, and appeal of the piece.

Herman Olivera Soneando Luis Rojas y Augusto Felibertt prueba de Sonido en el marco del evento Salsa Bajo la Cúpula Poliedro de Caracas.

Willie Melo masterfully integrates Hermán Olivera’s characteristic sound, marked by the influences of Manny Oquendo’s Conjunto Libre and the maestro Eddie Palmieri.

The arrangement, loaded with dissonant notes and power, softens its impact with the magic of the Cha-Cha, allowing Hermán to display his artistry in the soneo.

This interplay between the irreverent, the melodic, and the elegant makes “Ultimátum” a mandatory addition to any quality music lover’s playlist.

Production Credits

The excellence of this single is made possible by the participation of these great Venezuelan musicians:

Musicians: Yomar “Caballo” Méndez, Julito Antillano, Luis Ruíz, Joel “Pajarraco” Rivas, Frank Haslam, and Willie Melo.
Backing Vocals (Cha-Cha): Maestro Nino Segarra, accompanied by Rodrigo Mendoza and Wilmer Lozano.
Recording (Lead and Backing Vocals): Nino Segarra Studios (Puerto Rico).
Musical Recording, Mixing, and Mastering: Dale Cerebro Estudio, led by engineer Emmanuel “Cerebro” Romero.

Everything stated above summarizes a work with all the necessary elements to become a radio hit and, above all, an essential piece in your music library.

Sincerely,

Lic. Ángel Martínez “El Jeque”

Collaborations:

Luis Alberto “Redlouis” (Manager, Producer & Booking for Hermán Olivera)

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Also Read: Hermán Olivera “El Sonero del Siglo XXI”

Jairo Varela Music, Identity, and Social Narrative

The BE MORE publishing house is proud to announce the release of the new book by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

The work offers a deep dive into the social and narrative dimensions of the compositions of Jairo Varela, founder of the world-renowned Grupo Niche. It illustrates how his lyrics transcend music to become chronicles that interpret Latin American reality.

More than just a repertoire of songs, Jairo Varela’s legacy serves as a testament to memory and identity, born from his profound Afro-descendant roots. From this perspective, the book develops a discourse analysis that explores the symbols and meanings structuring his lyrics within a historical and social context.

Categorized within the field of ethnomusicology, the literary work proposes a rare perspective in Salsa studies: understanding Jairo Varela as a narrator of social reality.

“Through his lyrics, Jairo Varela challenged indifference, exposing what many preferred to keep silent,” states author Robert Téllez M.

To develop this research, the author brought together an interdisciplinary team of specialists in anthropology, communication, law, education, history, linguistics, music, journalism, and poetry from across Latin America. This diversity shapes a study organized into seven chapters, where symbols, metaphors, and narrative structures within Varela’s songwriting are analyzed and deconstructed.

“With an honesty that never yielded to artifice, Jairo Varela mapped the social landscape of everyday life; he narrated the intimate without betraying the collective, all in an effort to better understand the world,” Téllez notes.

As an innovative feature, the book Jairo Varela: Music, Identity, and Social Narrative incorporates QR codes that lead directly to Maestro Varela’s compositions. Each code allows the reader to use their mobile device to access the songs analyzed via Grupo Niche’s profile on Spotify, enhancing the connection between the written word and musical creation.

The publication also includes a prologue by writer Bella Martínez, illustrations by Frank Rosado, and photographs from the Varela family archive—elements that provide essential context to the composer’s creative universe.

Jairo Varela: Music, Identity, and Social Narrative is now available to the public on Amazon, with worldwide shipping.

The Book: Jairo Varela. Music, Identity, and Social Narrative

Jairo Varela (1949–2012)

Varela was the creator and founder of the iconic Grupo Niche and one of the most influential figures in Colombian Salsa. It was Jairo Varela who built the prestige of this orchestra through his artistic vision and his talent as a composer and director. With those five letters Niche Varela changed the course of Salsa made in Colombia, elevating it to a level of international respect.

Jairo Varela. Música, Identidad y Narrativa Social

Throughout his musical career, Jairo Varela wrote hundreds of songs and produced dozens of albums for his group. His compositions including “Cali Pachanguero” (recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the 50 most important songs in the history of Latin music), “Buenaventura y Caney,” “Mi pueblo natal,” “Ana Milé,” “Un caso social,” and “Han cogido la cosa” have traveled the world and become classics. In his lyrics, Varela portrayed everyday Latin American stories and the identity of Afro-descendant communities.

When Grupo Niche’s music plays, there is something for every listener. Behind that diversity lies the creative intuition of Jairo Varela, a composer who knew how to turn local stories into universal emotions. For this reason, from its beginnings in the late seventies to its international acclaim, the group has brought the rhythmic power, joy, and character of its culture to stages worldwide.

About the Author

Robert Téllez M. is a social communicator, radio and TV broadcaster, and producer with over 20 years of experience. He is an accomplished interviewer, journalist, and music researcher.

His analyses and reflections have been published in outlets such as Revista Semana, El Espectador, El Tiempo, El País, La República, and Agencia EFE, among others. He has also contributed to the scientific journal Nómadas of the Universidad Central de Colombia.

Robert Téllez is also the author of Ray Barretto: Giant Force (2016), whose English translation won a silver medal for Best Translation (Spanish to English) at the 2021 International Latino Book Awards.

In 2019, he presented the authorized biography Willie Rosario: The King of Rhythm, with a second edition released in 2024. He served as a judge for the annual international minimalist poetry contest for the anthology titled Siglema 575: Say What You Want to Say (2024).

As a result of his extensive research, Robert Téllez serves as a consultant and lecturer on topics related to the appreciation of Salsa music.

Press Contact: [email protected]

Also Read: Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

Timbalero Manolito Rodríguez Debuts a Fresh Sound as Musical Director of La Zónica

On Friday, March 27, 2026, Manolito Rodríguez and La Zónica performed at La Respuesta, a unique venue a hall where diverse musical genres blend, creating an atmosphere where a dance concert serves as the artists’ formal introduction to the public. The ensemble has been working together since August 2025, when the new orchestra was formed under the leadership of the virtuoso timbalero.

Timbalero Manolito Rodríguez arrives with a renewed energy as musical director of La Zónica

When Manolito began assembling the group, he sought out songs that resonated with him, such as “Gente Luminosa” and “A Mi Medida.” He has also been working with unreleased compositions by Anthony García and Leni Prieto. La Zónica marks a new chapter for the timbalero as the director of his own orchestra. Nevertheless, they continue to perform hits from Manolito’s previous era, now brought to life by the vocal front: Ángel Pomales, Joelis Crespo, and Gabriel Cotto. Manolito has promised to step back from singing to focus entirely on his instrument and musical direction.

The director of La Zónica hopes the dance concert at La Respuesta on March 27 marked a turning point for the band. “It’s an event we’ve been working on with great intensity,” Manolito says with enthusiasm. With energy and conviction, the timbalero adds: “I want to leave a legacy like El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, like Sonora Ponceña, like Roberto Roena’s Apollo Sound, or Willie Rosario’s band. I want people to say in 25 years, ‘Look, that’s Manolito’s La Zónica.’ It’s a long road, but it’s possible.”

As if that weren’t enough, a new line of Meinl Percussion instruments, inspired by the young Puerto Rican timbalero, is now available.

The new line of instruments - from Meinl Percussion - inspired by Manolito — The new line of instruments – from Meinl Percussion – inspired by Manolito

A Prodigy’s Journey

The career of this salsa virtuoso began early. Manolito Rodríguez is a percussionist, musical director, singer, and dancer. While he was still in middle school, piano genius Papo Lucca invited him to record on the 45th-anniversary album, Homenaje a Tres Grandes del Teclado. “At that time, I was just entering the Escuela Libre de Música; I was in ninth grade,” the timbalero recalls. Four years later, upon graduating from the Ernesto Ramos Antonini ELM in San Juan, Manolito earned the timbalero chair with Sonora Ponceña on Papo Lucca’s recommendation. “Don Quique” accepted him, and the young musician remained with the group for four years.

Puerto Rico’s salsa stages watched Manolito Rodríguez grow up, flanked by musical institutions such as Sonora Ponceña, his now-colleague Willie Rosario, and Roberto Roena’s Apollo Sound.

His skill as a percussionist grew by leaps and bounds, and his versatility was tested on multiple fronts. In fact, his vocals were featured with the orchestra Del Sur al Norte, led by the renowned director, arranger, and producer, trumpet master Julito Alvarado. “Julito was the first one who gave me the opportunity to record as a singer,” Manolito acknowledged in an interview.

Manolito Rodríguez and La Zónica performed at La Respuesta, a different venue.

Thanks to his interactions with salsa veterans since childhood, Manolito served as musical director for various youth projects along the way. This included Revolución Juvenil in high school and Manolito y su Trabuco, an orchestra that performed every Wednesday at El Doble Seis in Caguas.

Legacy and Discipline

According to Manolito himself now a music professor—he owes much of his career to the support of his mother and grandmother, who nurtured his musical interests and encouraged him to pursue formal training. Today, the instrumentalist considers himself a “music worker” who approaches his craft with respect and maturity.

His new orchestra, La Zónica, finds him with a different mindset: he wants to concentrate on the timbales and direction. He considers Master Willie Rosario—who treats him as a protégé one of his greatest influences as a timbalero-bandleader. Rodríguez shares that when he read the authorized biography of “Mr. Afinque” (Willie Rosario, El Rey del Ritmo by researcher Robert Téllez) and saw himself mentioned, he was overcome with emotion. “My eyes welled up. I didn’t expect it,” he says. “Since I started taking things seriously, Willie has always mentored me.”

Despite his vast experience, the young musician felt deeply blessed to be chosen to fill in for the leader of “the band that delights” (la banda que deleita) on several occasions, and to perform at the Willie Rosario Centenary concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. “I feel very fortunate because Willie is a very serious person, someone highly respected in the world of salsa with an impeccable career. He is a true role model.”

Following the passing of Roberto Roena, Rodríguez was also entrusted with the legacy of the Apollo Sound—a testament to the confidence and solidity he projects despite his youth. “Wow, yes. It was an honor,” he recalls nostalgically. “Roberto was the first person to give me a big break in Puerto Rico,” referring to his participation in the 1998 Día Nacional de la Zalsa at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón.

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, Manolito Rodríguez returned to the Día Nacional de la Zalsa as the timbalero and director of La Zónica, a project that debuted last November during Sonora Ponceña’s 70th-anniversary concert. The current lineup includes: Airemyelisse Díaz (bass), Reinaldo Burgos (piano), Savier Díaz (congas), Manolito Rodríguez (timbales/director), Carlos Arroyo (bongo), Víctor “Yuca” Maldonado (baritone sax), Efraín Martínez (tenor sax), Rubén Díaz (trumpet), and Jan Santana (flugelhorn).

Manolito is well aware that “people pay to be entertained,” as he mentioned in a Zoom interview, and he views himself as a craftsman of music. He feels fortunate to be a full-time musician. “That’s what keeps me grounded. I get paid to make music. I am a music worker with great aspirations who trusts his talent and knows he must stay focused.”

Also Read: Sessions from La Loma brings together salsa fans from all over the world in Puerto Rico

José Mangual Sr. “Buyú”: The Architect of Bongo Sound Defining the Rules of How it Should Sound

In the history of Afro-Latin music, there are names that didn’t just play an instrument they defined the rules of how it should sound. José Mangual Sr., known universally as “Buyú,” is one of those pillars.

José Mangual Sr., known universally as Buyú, is one of those pillars

An extraordinary and legendary percussionist, José Mangual Sr. was the founder of the prestigious percussive lineage that carries his surname.

Since his childhood in Juana Díaz, he professed a deep love for music; by age ten, he was already playing professionally, and during his youth, he even enjoyed crafting his own bongos.

Over time, he became the musician who endowed the instrument with an extraordinary sonority. He was the father of the equally prominent percussionists José Mangual Jr. and Luis Mangual.

The Architect of Sound on the Bongos defining the rules of how it should sound

Considered by experts as one of the greatest bongo players of all time, his legacy remains the gold standard for meter and tuning in Latin Jazz and Salsa.

From Juana Díaz to the Heart of Spanish Harlem

Born on March 18, 1924, in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, Mangual discovered his vocation at age 10. However, his musical destiny was sealed in 1938 when he migrated to New York at the age of 14.

Settling in Spanish Harlem (“El Barrio”), he found himself at the epicenter of a cultural explosion that was about to change world music forever.

The Consecration: Machito and his Afro-Cubans

Although he began by filling the timbales position, it was with the Machito and his Afro-Cubans orchestra where “Buyú” made history. Under the direction of Mario Bauzá (who is said to have given him his nickname), Mangual remained with the group for nearly 17 years.

The Legacy and the Patriarch of a Dynasty

Rhythmic Innovation: He was part of the “perfect percussion trio” alongside Carlos Vidal (congas) and Machito (maracas).
Historic Fusion: His performance was key to blending the complexity of Afro-Cuban rhythms with the harmonies of New York Jazz in the 1940s and 50s.

An Unrivaled Session Musician

His technique was so clean and his sound so bright that he became the preferred collaborator for the biggest stars. Throughout his career, he contributed his mastery to projects led by:

Tito Puente: The “King of the Timbales.”
Israel López “Cachao”: Participating in historic Afro-Cuban Jazz “descargas” (jam sessions).
Jazz Greats: His versatility allowed him to navigate fluidly between the world of Big Bands and traditional Salsa ensembles.

Pedagogical Legacy and Solo Career

In the 70s and 80s, Mangual recorded music not only for enjoyment but also for instruction:

Album “Buyú” (1977): A Latin Jazz gem on the Turnstyle label, featuring tracks like “Black & Brown Boogie.”
Musical Education: Alongside conguero Carlos “Patato” Valdés, he recorded the volumes of Understanding Latin Rhythms. These LPs became the auditory manual for thousands of percussionists around the globe.
The Mangual Dynasty: In 1986, he consolidated his family heritage with the album Los Mangual: Una Dinastía, recording alongside his talented sons.

“The sound of his cowbell and his bongo didn’t just mark time; they cemented the foundations of the music we dance to today.”

The Patriarch of a Dynasty

The impact of José Mangual Sr. extends through his sons, who inherited his musical excellence:

José Mangual Jr. (“El Milamores”): Famous bongo player and singer, a key figure in the orchestras of Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe.
Luis Mangual: Renowned percussionist and musical director.

Passing and Recognition: Buyú passed away in 1998, leaving an irreplaceable void. In 2001, he was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame a fitting tribute to the man who gave the bongo unprecedented brilliance and elegance.

Also Read: Israel “Cachao” López, a Cuban musician and composer, has been hailed as “the Inventor of Mambo”

God and Salsa: the rhythm with purpose

European Union

Dancing has a special characteristic; it makes the dancer have total concentration in the moment. No past, no future, no problems, just the joy of the present, music and movements. That’s one of the therapeutic reasons to join the salsa movement.

Dancing has changed the life of many people, with this begins the journey of “God and Salsa”, mixing two worlds that are usually separated: faith and dancing.

A project created with love in the core, Jess and Anayancy Thomas, writers and producers of God and Salsa, they want to spread a message of love, faith and awareness.

Jess Thomas, writer, producer and director has enjoyed a career in both the technical side of Broadcast TV, which included Project Management and the production side of video and film as a Producer, Director and Final Cut Pro editor. He brings a high level of enthusiasm to any task at hand. Jess is an excellent communicator and tends to get along well with everyone. He understands the ground up nature of the work and has an uncanny knack for seeing the big picture. These traits have proven themselves essential when managing a project or Producing a low budget film.

Jess is excited at the prospect of taking on the nuts and bolts activities necessary to maintain a high level of excellence. He would be honored to be a part of an entertainment or broadcast companies staff and would take great pride in having the opportunity to be a part of a company that brings quality entertainment to millions of satisfied customers.

The project begins with the desire of talk about an important issue: How children are affected by divorces in families.

With her personal experience, Anayancy created the story of Raquel, a 40-year-old therapist and divorcee is trying to cope with the loss her daughter to suicide. Her trust in God has suffered because of it. Matt, 45 asks her to see his son Shane 17 who has attempted suicide due to depression brought on by the conflictive divorce of his parents. Shane’s mother, Monica 40, is self-absorbed and has turned Shane and her other children against Matt.

Raquel struggles to regain her faith, but in the meantime Salsa dancing is her only solace. Against Monica’s will, Raquel takes on the challenge of trying to help a belligerent yet severely depressed Shane and prevent him from successfully killing himself. What follows is an intense emotional struggle that Raquel is only able to overcome with the help of God & Salsa.

The goal for this film is to stop the terrible situation that many children go through their early years. There are different levels of damage: family dissolution, emotional damage, self-blame, depression, etc. The child always suffers the consequences of separations.

The Thomas knows that personal experiences are very powerful to pursue a goal and getting people’s empathy. The film goes with the character-story line, going through all the darkness, how Raquel takes the personal tragedy that she was going through with salsa dancing to redeem herself, with a very dark beginning she overcomes everything to change her life.

The film is the combination of different stories and experiences. The salsa is on the story thanks again to Anayancy’s personal experience. When she decided to explore other parts of her life and herself, salsa dance was the best option, because she could get away from all the troubles, getting the mind occupied with an incredible activity. “When I dance, I’m in a bubble” she say, a proof of how dancing gets you in the present.

With a special air of a fairytale story, Jess and Anayancy met at the Presbyterian Church in Bel-Air, here their journey begin. Jess told International Salsa Magazine why you should go and watch the film: because every family member can relate with an aspect of the story, parents, teenagers, seniors, etc. Faith, love, drama and a lot of salsa dancing make this film so amazing. This film will touch a special part of everyone’s heart. Don’t miss it!