We meet today with Taino Roldan from the fabulous station Radio Brisa Tropical. Good morning Mr. Roldan, hope you are well.
Quite well, thanks to God. Warm greetings to you from our radio station Radio Brisa Tropical.
How did you start liking broadcasting and how did you know you wanted to get into this?
Whilst resident in Italy, I began my career as a DJ there and in Germany. When I returned to the United States, I started going to all the local stations to have a salsa show. At first, they always replied that they were not interested and the doors were closed to me, but that never caused me a problem. I have always believed that if a door has closed, you have to find a way to enter that world, no matter what. At last, I started working at an AM station where I spent three years and then at a FM station for almost 10 years.
During this whole period, I was studying broadcasting at the local university and playing with the internet. It was by that time that streaming and webcasting, which was in 2005 if I got it right. A friend of mine who was a computer programmer told me that I could broadcast my shows in this manner. I asked him for help, given he was the expert, so we did this and connected. At that time, Facebook or any of those things did not yet exist, but MySpace did. Then we managed to webcast until the streaming service came out from the hand of YouTube and other platforms, and that’s when I opened my accounts in those social networks and created my website.
While I was on FM, we continued webcasting until 2012, which was when I officially left that station. I was on about four FM stations, but on different days in the area where I was. After I stopped working in those places, I decided to keep right here in my own studio and do my show solely and exclusively on the internet and it has been the case until today. It has been 31 years of happiness and here I am still standing.
Taino Roldán in his studio, where he webcasts his show Radio Brisa Tropical
We understand that this Radio Brisa Tropical project started in 1991. How was this idea conceived?
While I was on AM, my show was not called Brisa Tropical, but rather “¿Qué pasa?” There we included all kinds of music and gave cultural news about all countries, since I am in an area represented by all Latin American countries, the Caribbean Centre, South America and Spain. Having such a diverse audience, I decided to talk about all countries and not just mine, which is Puerto Rico. I talk about the important days of all the countries such as independence days and other historical events. I want to make content to entertain and educate the audience.
When I switched to FM, the station where I did my show is called “The Brise” and it played contemporary music in English. So, I sat with a friend who was helping me and it was there when I called my own program “Brisa Tropical”, as it is during that time that we included salsa, merengue, bachata, vallenato and much more.
Thank the Lord and the audience we have, we are more dedicated to salsa, and when I say “salsa”, I am including Cuban son and all these Afro-Cuban rhythms that were called salsa since the 70’s till present. However, we like to include all tropical music, classic as well as contemporary. So, it is at the point now where we have created an international audience, and that’s why it is so important to identify and mention the names of the artists, the orchestras, the composers, the arrangers, the members of the groups. Let us remember that there is plenty of time on the Internet. This is nothing like an AM or FM station that are commercial and you only have to reduce the amount of time. Here, I am the programmer and the announcer.
Radio Brisa Tropical is streamed exclusively on the Internet
You have already told us about the role played by the internet and social networks in implementing your project. So much so that networks have become the main transmission channels of the station. Is the internet the main broadcasting channel or are you still on the radio?
My show is streamed exclusively on the internet. Commercial broadcasters were my beginning, but I am absolutely sure that the future is the internet and I am not just talking about Facebook because this social network is not a music platform. I have my YouTube channel, my Facebook page and my Twitter account, but webcasting has opened the door to all musicians, performers and composers from anywhere in the world. The internet is the future of music. I am dedicated to salsa and Latin jazz, but I usually include other genres that listeners often ask me for, such as cumbia, tropical music, vallenato, etcetera.
In addition to salsa, your station plays other genres such as Latin jazz, vallenato, cumbia and plena. Why did you start this project with salsa as a base?
I grew up with salsa and developed myself as a DJ for many years both in Italy and Germany. Although I used to play everything, when I saw the love of Europeans for salsa on the dance floor, I always decided on it. Salsa has always been my life. I like all positive music, but I will always prefer to broadcast salsa and Latin jazz. Now, if a listener asks me to play a good song that does not have high-flown words or anything, I have no problem with it. Here I have been asked to play even rancheras because I have learned that you never say no to that loyal audience.
You currently broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook and your website. Do you know which transmission channel has a bigger audience?
Most of my audience listens to me through the link to my server and website. Remember that the website has the links to the channel and the other social networks. Through TuneIn, I receive a lot of audience around the world. I also use Live365 because the station pays royalties and I have the license to broadcast legally. The problem is that this platform is not heard in some places in South America or Europe, which is precisely why I also use TuneIn. When I check my content every day, I realize that we have a lot of audience coming from the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe and the United States.
Taino Roldán holding a Wito Rodríguez album
Age ranges of Radio Brisa Tropical
Many would say that the genres played on your station are to the taste of an older audience that enjoyed the salsa of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. What is the age range of your station?
According to the demographic information and the comments I am getting, I have seen that we have people from 10 or 11 years old and up. Once, a lady sent me a comment saying that her 100-year-old dad stayed in bed listening to the station and even sent me a picture of him smiling. I’ve also received messages from young people. I would say my demographic ranges from 20 years old and up.
I include classic salsa because many of those performers and bands remain relevant with their legacy despite having passed away, but there are also many salseros from that golden era in the 70’s and 80’s who are still active like Willie Rosario or La Sonora Ponceña. I have a lot of Venezuelan and Colombian friends from Venezuela who always send me music.
I like to balance my way to program. I like to take people back to the 70’s and even beyond, bring them back to the present and explain the ins and outs of a song or album. One of the most important things a broadcaster must do is to mention the artist, the composer, the arranger, the musicians, among others. You have to talk about the piece that is playing and what is behind it.
Taino Roldán and Willie Rosario
What you are saying is very important because many times people only focus on the vocalist or leader of a group, but they do not wonder about all the behind-the-scenes work or even talk about the rest of the members, such as the guitarists, the pianists, the arrangers or the musical directors. In that sense, what do you do to disseminate all this information?
I like reading a lot. If I am going to talk about a specific artist, I will look for who he is, what his trajectory is, how his beginnings were, what he did, what he is doing now. Of course, I have never included any personal data. This is very important to me because this helps the artist to sell his stuff. When there were a lot of record sales, I had the habit of checking the back to read the liner notes of that artist. That information is very valuable to me because that is what I use to inform the audience unequivocally.
From what you have told me, you have been working exclusively on the Internet for many years. Did you do it before or after the pandemic?
I had already been webcasting my program on the Internet for many years. In fact, I have been doing it since 2012. Thank goodness, the pandemic has not affected me in any way. My wife and I have taken care of ourselves and followed the sanitary rules, but this situation has not affected our work. On the contrary, I am here before the microphone in my studio while I speak and play music every day in the morning. It may also happen that I bring my laptop to a remote location and air the show from there or through my cell phone. I have done a lot of interviews during all this time because I like it so much.
What other projects or shows are you carrying out?
I have discovered that I can do a show about music, but without playing music. Sometimes I do it, but this is not my usual due to the issue of copyright with Facebook. I have a show called “Hablando de Salsa” and I am proud of it because it has been very successful. I am doing this project with Eduardo Saya. The show is entirely about salsa and we broadcast it every Wednesday at 6 PM CST. There, we always choose a different subject to be tackled every day.
Taino Roldán and his wife Carmen Roldán
Link to the Facebook page of Taino Roldán: Taino Roldán
Today we have famous Puerto Rican Kharim Santos. Mr. Santos, how have you been feeling? We learned that you were in poor health due to Covid-19.
First of all, I want to thank you and all your audience for the opportunity to take a few minutes to share with you and be able to talk. In regards of my health, I have always said that the Lord’s way is mysterious and I contracted Covid-19 despite being vaccinated three times, but I am out of that now and in the process of recovering fully. I am forever grateful to the Lord who gives us new opportunities to live.
During my convalescence from Covid-19, we released a new song entitled Lo Van a Entender and it received wide acceptance, so the Lord always blesses in mysterious ways.
Talented singer Kharim Santos, whose career start at Puerta de Tierra
You were interested in music from an early age. Could you tell us about the first memory of music?
I was born in a neighborhood in Puerto Rico called Puerta de Tierra where many important people like Isidro Infante, Joe Quijano, Raphy Leavitt and many other artists have come from. I was born and raised in that neighborhood and my mother, due to his relationship to Daniel Santos “El Anacobero”, received many artists of all musical genres at home like Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez or Ismael Rivera.
Being such a musical family, music was always very important to me because “Bohemian Nights” were held at my place. A group of friends came to my house and sing “Bohemia”. I was very young when I became really interested in music. I remember Daniel telling my mother that I had a lot of chances in that world.
The first time I took singing lessons, my teacher was Juan Luis Barry, may he rest in peace. He was the pianist for Silvia Rexach, one of the greatest poets of our country. I also started taking dance lessons with Leonor Contanzo, who is a very professional dancer in Puerto Rico and it was from there that I started to follow the path of music. This has been a complete blessing because this profession has helped me to go to many places both professionally and personally.
Do you consider that Daniel Santos was some kind of inspiration for starting down this road?
Oh, yes! What I have always said about Daniel Santos is that the new youth does not know a part of his story, but he was like the “Ricky Martin” or the “Bad Bunny” of the time. He was quite unique because he sang any kind of music and felt very comfortable in any genre. No genre was a problem for him because he sang it very well. He was an icon. I will never be able to be like Daniel Santos and have always wanted to shine with a light of my own taking into account the vision he had of music without disrespecting his career. I made a song called Linda in his honor. I believe that Daniel has been a fundamental part of my career and that of many artists.
Besides Daniel Santos, what other artists influenced your style and music?
I will take your question as an opportunity to extend a very special greeting to my friend Cita Rodriguez, daughter of Pete El Conde Rodriguez. Pete was one of those artists who was often on my way home and my mom had a warm friendship with him. I remember his singing, his way of playing “guapacha” (a mix of chachachá and merengue) and that sort of thing. Other artists from the old guard who inspired me were Tito Rodríguez, Rolando Laserie, Santos Colón, Vicentico Valdés and Raphy Leavitt and La Selecta. I bring Raphy Leavitt Y La Selecta up because they used to rehearse a block away from my place.
When Raphy was alive, he told me that Daniel came close to singing with La Selecta and I did not know a thing about it. These were artists who have marked my life. I believe that the artists of the past have marked my life the most, although there are some modern ones I faithfully follow such as Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega.
However, the best artists for me are Cano Estremera and Tito Rojas because they were both great friends I personally met and their singings were very parochial. They were stars, but their fame has never gone to their heads. They always had their feet planted firmly on the ground.
“El Anacobero” Daniel Santos, Kharim Santos’ uncle
Is Salsa a thing of the past?
Do you think that these artists and musical genres have gone out of fashion and been replaced by other references?
I think salsa is a genre that has been perpetuated. I do not think it is going to die or disappear. I hear many colleagues who are always saying that salsa is dead, but I think they are wrong. The concept of salsa is a generational thing, but we forget to connect young people with it. We do not teach them the culture of our music and I give the example of Colombia, which is a country I visited on several occasions with Orquesta La Solución and as a soloist. There salsa is widely heard and people think that urban music is heard more than salsa, but it is not.
What happens is that Colombians had made sure that new generations keep listening and watching these bastions of music. Many guys who sing urban music have called me to collaborate with me. Farruko uses a clip of Ismael Rivera for his song “El Incomprendido”. Many of these new artists are looking to salsa because they have realized that it is a very enriching genre and it helps them in their work.
That’s why we have to move on and say thanks to people like you who give us the opportunity to stay relevant and let more people know about us. I also think that we have to be vary careful about our lyrics and what we express. Salsa always distinguished itself for singing about small town stuff happening in our communities and when romantic salsa came, we sang to women with much respect. I think we should be maintained in that area.
If you listen to the music of the new generations, artists go off on such tangents and disrespect women. I think that women should not be devalued, marked out or treated as sexual objects. We have to teach our young people that we can hear good lyrics and enjoy music at the same time.
Anything that has always characterized salsa is to touch on social, political, and cultural issues. They also addressed the topic of romance with much respect, but that has recently changed. Do you consider that the quality of the lyrics is not an important matter in the industry?
I think we have devalued the concept of the genre. I have always said that the artist is like a teacher. If you think of it that way, the artist or singer should be like a teacher who brings the teachings of peace, love, hope and a number of things that you concentrate in your lyrics and music. When you sing positive things, you also generate positive things in people.
I’m going to be straight with you. I have listened to urban music made by friends of mine and wonder how girls can sing that, knowing that they are being denigrated. It’s as if they cover their ears and listen to that music, but are not interested in what artists are saying. Unfortunately, there are many salsa singers who believe that they should do the same as artists of urban music to get the same results. We have lost values and feelings and I do not understand why we have to sing humiliating things to women.
Kharim Santos next to Puerto Rican musician Rafi Marrero
We could not only talk about disrespect for women, but also about promoting crime and drugs.
Yes, it’s like a position of power. It’s about seeing how much power I can express in my songs or videos. In my case, I have focused on stopping my music videos from having anything sexual. A friend of mine who directs videos gave me the idea to make one with a model in a hotel room and I answered that it didn’t work for me. To this day, I am not sure that selling sexuality or violence produces something important in anyone’s life.
What do you and the artists that are of your opinion think you can do to promote positive things?
I think we also have to refrain a little bit and leave our biases behind us and our ‘I’ness. That is part of the problem we have. There are many artists who only look after themselves and think they are the best artists of the world, but I think we have to get out of it and I have been doing this. Many of these artists of urban music have called me to make songs and I have said yes, but I have given them my ideas.
Right now, I am recording the song “La Radio” with Crespo, who sings urban music. We made some modifications to the sing, which talks about this separated couple, but they remember their love when they listen to this song on the radio. That’s a nice thing. We have to educate young people and in so doing, I think that joining them to make collaborations can reform music. We have to help each other.
Santos wants to rescue values and improve the lyrics in salsa music
Do you believe that you can make culture and shape the society we want through music?
Of course I do. Music is culture. I have always said that. Music is the basis of how culture and people move. I believe music has been made to express ourselves, but we have to do it properly. In my personal opinion, we cannot use it in an inadequate manner. I have told many colleagues that the fact that a guy who sings urban music makes a denigrating song does not mean that they are going to have the same success. That’s not how things work.
I believe so much in talent. If you are a talented person, people will listen to you. I had that conversation with Gerardo Rivas, who is extremely talented, but his lyrics are positive because he knows not to denigrate anyone. That is our north. Salsa is culture. I have always said that salsa is not just a genre, but a way of life.
Something that caught my attention in your biography is that you served in the army and participated in certain renowned armed conflicts. How did you combine your military activities with music?
I was in the army and served 23 years. I retired in 2011 after serving 23 years. I was in Iran and Afghanistan twice. I was a combat infantryman and I was able to mix the two things because music help me to progress. There are things missing in the biography because it focuses more on my military life, but I am also a university professor.
There are a lot of things about me that people do not know, but I was able to combine the two things because music helped me overcome adversity when I was in those sites of fighting. I was a nighttime patrol and being in a place where you know you could be killed at any moment for 12 hours is not easy, but music comforted me. During my time in the army, I could also sing with various orchestras and do other activities. It was a great blessing for me.
Since Friday, January 21, 2022, is available on Youtube the new video clip from the Mercadonegro.
Mercadonegro was Created at the end of 2000 with influences from Salsa Dura thanks to their experiences working with artists such as Celia Cruz, Alfredo de la Fe, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, and many more.
Orquesta Mercadonegro titled “Que Ironia” song that is part of the production SOMOS DEL BARRIO, returning to the radio waves and digital platforms, a song that had been on hold, but now takes off from this group of Latinos based in Europe.
Orquesta Mercadonegro de Suiza
SOMOS DEL BARRIO is the 4th production, of which stand out songs like: Triste y Solo, Quien a Hierro Mata, Rumba Negrito and also this current song “Que Ironía”, as always the boys of Mercadonegro highlight their work by the mixture of different cultures and Latin roots that enrich their musical style.
“Que Ironía” was born from the inspiration and ideas of Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta & Eddie Villanueva Chininin, which relates the daily experiences of human beings, in their day to day nonconformity, and as the same lyrics say
“Nobody knows what he has until he loses it”.
This time it is Oscar “Chucky” Cordero who is in charge of the musical arrangements and even participates in the trumpet solo.
Mercadonegro, based in Switzerland, was founded on November 15, 2002, since then they have participated in the biggest Latin/Salsa and Jazz Festivals in Europe, and they have toured China (Asia), Colombia and Mexico (Latin America).
Its Directors : Armando Miranda ” El Moro ” was born in Havana – Cuba, with studies in the conservatory and participation with different Cuban artists. He is the lead singer of the orchestra and composer of some songs.
Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta, born in Cartagena, Colombia, since he was a child he awakened his interest in music, percussionist, chorister, singer, composer and music producer.
In this most recent title “Que Ironía” participate the following musicians: Authors: Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta / Eddie Villanueva Chininin
Arranger: Oscar ” Chucky ” Cordero
Piano: Oscar Ivan Lozano ((Oilo)) Bass: Dimitris Christopoulos
Full Percussion: Rodrigo Rodriguez Trombones: Johan Escalante Trumpets: Oscar ” Chucky ” Cordero Baritone Sax : Gills Grivola
We are an organization that from the hand of its Founder, Director and Editor Eduardo Guillarte, in force since 2007 that has been working non-profit helping to promote: Orchestras, Singers, DJs, Clubs, Plastic Artists in North America, Europe and Latin America and Asia and with the contribution of volunteers in various parts of the world, which at the same time invite and recommend all lovers, dancers of our Latin music to follow La Orquesta MercadoNegro from Zurich-Switzerland.
Long live music and its only and great protagonist, La Salsa.
Five Salsa & Latin Jazz Events To Be Held In The UK Capital That You Can’t-Miss
The United Kingdom has removed essential restrictions against Covid-19 and its Omicron variant after battling weeks with the new wave of infections in the country since the end of last year.
The British executive has provided the relaxation of the restrictive measures due to the low numbers of infected people and deaths. This relaxation seeks to initiate the return to complete normality.
The new measures that are no longer mandatory are the use of masks (it will be at personal discretion, however, they must wear them if the site is crowded with unknown people or it is a closed space), and Covid passports are no longer a legal requirement to enter to the establishment.
For these reasons, we bring you a range of options in the Salsa & Latin Jazz genres in the country this month that you will be excited to see, and that you will not want to miss any detail. Here, we go…
Gabeto offers Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican Salsa style, classes
We open this poster of options with the Gabeto Camden Restaurant/Bar. This Cuban gem north of the city has two floors, a Latin atmosphere, and an outdoor terrace. They serve genuine Latin dishes, modern British drinks with Afro-Caribbean twists, and have a wide variety of nightly events throughout the week.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays you will live the Salsa experience with the instructor Ramiro Zapata (from Bolivia) with more than 20 years of experience in Salsa. Ramiro teaches his Cross Body style with a mix of Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican Salsa, as well as a strong focus on Cali (Colombia) style footwork, male body movement, and female style. The cost of the lessons varies depending on the length of instruction; one hour is £10 while two hours cost £12. Lessons start at 7:30 PM and end at 9:30 PM except on Sundays with Rumba Pa’ Ti classes which are from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The Cuban spirit is found in Gabeto, located at Camden Market, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, a few minutes from Camden Town and Chalk Farm stations. Only people over 18 can attend and for more details, visit their website.
Sundays at the Salsa Temple Bar are 9 continuous hours of Salsa
We continue with the Salsa Temple Bar. Every Sunday they are explosively Salseros. DJs Jorge Andre & DJ Jlatino mix the most recognized songs of yesterday and today from Timba, Salsa, Cubaton, and Bachata. Beginner Salsa Classes start at 6 PM, Bachata lessons at 7 PM, and Cuban Salsa instruction is at 8 PM. The cost for admission is £5 and on February 14th, they will offer the Valentine’s Night Fuego event.
Starting this month Salsa Temple Bar with Rhythm & Vibes Dance Co and The Latin Collective will make Monday nights the biggest Afro-Latin party in the country appearing in the Latin Room (Second Room) Salsa, Bachata, and Reggaeton. In addition to this, there will be Salsa and Bachata classes for one session (1 hour) for £7 and two sessions (2 hours) for £10.
Bar Salsa Temple is located at Temple Station WC2R 2PH. Join and experience the Sabor in detail on its official website.
Roberto Pla is the Colombian percussionist known as the “Father of Latin Music” in the UK
As a third option, we bring you the concert of Roberto Pla’s Latino ensemble on Friday, February 4th at Pizza Express – Holborn. This Latin Jazz concert led by Colombian percussionist Roberto Pla is made up of a 12-piece band of saxophones, trumpets, trombones plus a powerful layered percussion section with Roberto on timbales and the powerful voice of Graciela Rodríguez.
The most recent presentations of the Latin Ensemble orchestra have been the Brecon Jazz Festival, Expo Festival Lisbon, Canada Square Festival, Under the Stars Festival, among many others.
Admission to enjoy this live performance is £25 and starts at 8:00 PM. The venue is Pizza Express Jazz Club located at 99 High Holborn since 2017. This Jazz Club is considered one of the best clubs of its kind in Britain with an international reputation. Performances by Grammy winners such as Gregory Porter and Amy Winehouse have been seen here.
The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presents every Friday of the month “Viva Cuba Live”
We continue with the most important and historic jazz club in the world founded in 1959, Ronnie Scott’s. In addition to the main club, there is the bar known as Upstairs @ Ronnie’s, it is highly regarded as an elegant and luxurious venue recreating the atmosphere of the ’50s, ideal for spending the night in style.
As part of the new Jazz club policy, they are expanding their program of Latin events at Upstairs @ Ronnie’s. Below I detail the events that will be held on Fridays from 6 PM during this month.
Jesús Cutiño Band + DJ Gavin (February 4th). Jesús Cutiño is a Cuban singer-songwriter recognized as one of the best Tres players in Europe (the Tres is the Cuban guitar that forms one of the pillars of the Cuban Son sound).
Sarabanda + DJ Rico (February 11th). With this band, you will listen to arrangements of classic and contemporary Cuban songs.
Son Yambu + DJ Jim (February 18th). This group plays the authentic Cuban Son that originated in the streets of eastern Cuba at the beginning of the last century and later gave rise to modern Salsa. Most of the members come from Cuba and have the experience of a lifetime playing the genre, as well as being passionate about maintaining the traditions of Cuban Son.
Havana Latin Fun + DJ Alex (February 25th). This five-piece band led by piano/vocals René Álvarez presents Cuban melodies with amazing rhythms.
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is located at 47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT, and you can find out more by clicking here.
The Latin and Ballroom Dance course for beginners will be held in person
We close this list of Latin events in London with the Latin and ballroom dance lessons for beginners next Saturday, February 12th. With this one-day course, you will learn how to perform the basic steps, footwork and move around the floor with the correct dance line. The hours will be between 11 AM and 4 PM, and the price is £25. The maximum limit is 30 students. The venue is the Bishopsgate Institute located at 230 Bishopsgate EC2M 4QH. An institution was erected for the benefit of the public in 1894 with the motto “I never stop learning”.
Luis González is one of those artists who really make Puerto Ricans proud of being born in the Island of Enchantment. The fascinating story of this boricua begins in March 1954 when he was born in the town of Arecibo, located on the north coast of Puerto Rico, the country from which he moved to look for new opportunities on U.S. soil, starting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was in this city where he spent most of his childhood and began his artistic career in the Youth Orchestra of this place.
A few years later, he returned to his native country and was notable for being the trumpet player of the Orquesta Concepto Latino de Arecibo, accompanying a big number of artists such as Celia Cruz, Adalberto Santiago and many others. After completing his studies at the Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, he moved to New York, where he was part of many famous orchestras and worked with renowned artists such as Ray Barreto (whom many consider him his mentor) and Luis Perico Ortiz. Back in Puerto Rico, he worked with La Mulenze, Bobby Valentín, Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena, among other stars.
Renowed trumpeter Luis González
It was not until 2009 when he finally decided to give life to his own orchestra which he called Luis González Y Su Orquesta el Tsunami de La Salsa consisting of a total of 12 musicians with a long international career and an uncanny talent. At this time, it is seen as one of the best salsa orchestras in Puerto Rico in its history. The following year, he released what would be his first musical work with his new orchestra entitled Tributo A Un Gigante, which included the collaboration with Luis Perico Ortiz, Adalberto Santiago, Paquito Guzmán, Toñito Vázquez and others. This record production was recognized as one of the most outstanding of that year.
Recent years
In 2015, he achieved the same feat with his second production Si te Preguntan…, which allowed him to gain great notoriety in the public and the media dedicated to promoting salsa in various parts of the world.
Years later, González would be inducted into the Puerto Rico Music Hall of Fame thanks to his more than 45 years of musical career, but that was not all. The artist has also received other important recognition from cultural and musical institutions in his native country. Not to mention that he is a member of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Latin Grammy), getting to participate in the commissions that choose the nominees in some categories.
Luis González and Adalberto Santiago
In 2020, under the Carnival of Barranquilla, the trumpet player was selected as a member of the jury at the 2020 Orchestras Festival, a well-deserved honor he received on behalf of the Colombian city due to his talent and experience.
For the moment, he is working hard on his fourth music production, which he has decided to call 50 años… mi música… mi pasión! and will be released to the public in March of this year. A special peculiarity of this new album is that it will be arranged by a top-line team, including Luis Perico Ortiz (who has worked with González on repeated occasions), Ricky González, Oscar Hernández, Javier Hernández, among other eminences.
By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa Magazine in New York City, New York
