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Roniel Alfonso Mella Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orchestra

Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba.

He enters in 1996 in the National School of Art (Ena) in, where he graduated in 2000 in the specialty of Guitar, Tres, and Ensemble Direction, in his student stage he was part of groups like Septeto Cohiba, Cuba Nueva, Conjunto Chapotin y sus Estrellas, Clave Cubana, Charanga Latina, etc.

In 2000 he was the founder of the Gardi Orchestra, of which he was its musical director, making several tours abroad with this orchestra and taking care of the musical direction of his first album ”Gardi” and the authorship of most of his songs.

In 2005 he participated in the prestigious contest of the Cuban TV Adolfo Guzman where he was 2nd prize in the category of dance music with a song that he orchestrated and produced, being interpreted by Joaquin More.

Roniel Alfonso Mella, Omara Portuondo y Aymee Nuviola

Later he joined the ranks of Haila María Mompie, being in charge of the musical direction of the band.

In 2006 he joined the Cuarteto Fusión with which he toured abroad for a long period of 4 years in countries such as Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.

In 2010 he returned to Cuba and made the musical production entitled Mala, Haila’s 5th album, which was awarded the Cuba Disco Award 2012, in the category of Latin music. At the same time, he returns to the orchestra and is once again in charge of the musical direction.

In 2011 he was in charge of the musical production of several artists, such as the Cuban singer Leoni Torres, 3rd album production of this, entitled “salseando” which was nominated for the Cuba Disco 2013 in the category of popular dance music and nominated for the Latin Grammy 2013 in tropical music, another production was the American percussionist Luis Carreras, entitled Luis Carreras and The Cuban Stars Project album that orchestrated and composed all his songs.

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba. — Roniel Alfonso Mella
Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

In 2012 he was part of the work team of composer and producer Descemer Bueno in his album “Bueno” which was awarded the “Cuba Disco Award 2013”, working frequently with him in numerous productions.

As a composer he has written songs for prestigious performers of our country such as Issac Delgado, Haila, Omara Portuondo, Leoni Torres, Aymee Nuviola, Yumuri, Alexander Abreu, Coco Freeman, Mario Rivera, Gardi, Calunga, Ricardo Amaray, Sixto Llorente, “El Indio”, Maykel Ante, Pedro Lugo “El Nene”, Wil Campa, Tania Pantoja, El Noro, Luna Manzanares, Hector Daniel, Alain Daniel, Rosaliz, Ruben y Gabi, Yai Valcarcel, Indira Hernández.

Internationals such as Jose Alberto “El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Josimar (Peru), Septeto Acarey (Peru), Kewenaonda, David Kada (Dominican Republic), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola).

As a producer, he has collaborated with national and international artists.

Enrique Iglesias (Spain), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico), Jose Alberto ”El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Luis Enrique (Nicaragua), Olga Tañon (Puerto Rico), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Bebe (Spain), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Kewenaonda (Dominican Republic), Arturo Ortiz, Calle 7 (Puerto Rico), Septeto Acarey (Peru), David Kada (Dominican Republic), Luis Carreras (USA), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola), Lalo Santos (Mexico) and Orly Solomon (Israel).

Roniel Alfonso Mella con Gilberto Santa Rosa

Nationals Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Aymee Nuviola, Grupo-Orichas, Leoni Torres, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Issac Delgado, Haila, Charanga Habanera, Alexander Abreu, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Mayito Rivera, Sixto Llorente, Yumuri, El Noro, Emilio Frías, Paulo Fg, El Nene, Septeto Santiaguero, Tania Pantoja, Coco Freeman, Alain Daniel, Wil Campa, Gardi, Ricardo Amaray, Calunga, Mandy Cantero, Roberton (Van Van), Maykel Ante, Luna Manzanares, Arlenys Rodríguez, Yenisel Valdés, Omi, Nelson Valdés, Yoyo Ibarra, Mayco de Alma, Héctor Daniel, Dayani Gutiérrez, Laritza Bacallao, Juan Guillermo, Rubén and Gabi, Alexis Zamora, Alain Pérez, Rosaliz, Eylen Remón, Yai Valcarcel, Beby Verdecia, Zunilda, Leo Garrido, Heydi Chapman, Trio d’ Ley, Mulatason, Insurrecto, Joaquín More, Karamba, Alisbet Reyes, Compañia de Danza “Rakatan Azúcar Negra, Patricio Amaro, Aíran Muñoz, Yani, Ángel Yos, Jose Luis Cortes, Osain del Monte, Son del Guaso, Orquesta Failde, Conga “Los Hoyos”, Lenny de la Rosa, Indira Hernandez, Liz Castillo, etc….

Achieving Hits such as “Idilio”, “Vivir Sin Ti”, Soledad (Leoni Torres)” Mala”, “Baila”, (Haila), “Si no Fuera por Ti”, Gardi, Lloro por ti, La Vida es Buena, Súbeme la Radio, Nos fuimos lejos, (Descemer Bueno).

In 2013 he started his own record production, entitled -Roniel Alfonso presents “Son del XXI”, this CD comes out under the label Egrem in 2016, nominated for the Cuba Disco 2017 in this is responsible for the musical production, orchestrations, and composition of each of the themes, the album that shows his vision of what would be the son of this XXI century, our purest and most traditional son, mixed with the new influences of this era. The album features performers such as Issac Delgado, Yumuri, Haila, Calunga, Mario Rivera, El Indio, El Nene, Wil Campa, El Noro, Alexander Abreu and Orlando Max (Angola) going deeper into his work as an orchestrator, using different orchestral formats, such as the Típica Orquesta Salsera, Jazz-Band, Grupo de Rumba and Septeto Tradicional.

In August 2014 he has invited Lucas to the gala offered in tribute to Formell to be in charge of the musical production of several themes of this great Cuban musician, with performers such as Laritza Bacallao, el Indio, el Noro, Dayani Gutiérrez, and el Niño.

In 2016 he collaborated in the 2nd edition of the television program sonando en Cuba where 3 songs of his authorship and 5 songs produced by him previously for other singers were interpreted, being interpreted this time by the contestants of this event.

In 2017 his song “Baila” sung this time by Haila and Alain Perez was the theme of the television program “Bailando en Cuba”.

In June 2017 he obtains the silver trophy (2nd place) at the International Music Festival “Viva la Música”‘ in the category original song, with his song “Que Locura” sung by Roberto Pulido, a Cuban singer based in Switzerland.

In 2018 under the record label Top Stopmusic is in charge of the musical production and all orchestrations of the CD AJourney Through Cuban Music of the great Cuban singer Aymee Nuviola, Grammy Awards Winner 2020 and nominated for the Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album in which music stars such as Chucho Valdez were present, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Omara Portuondo, Muñequitos de Matanzas, Septeto Santiaguero, Pancho Amat, Coto, Samuel Formell, Mario Rivera and his first single “Donde estabas anoche” was positioned at number 6 on the Billboard chart.

In March 2019 he has the honor of being accepted as a voting member of the Latin Academy of Laras Recordings (Grammy).

On June 14, 2019, he founds his Orchestra “Son del XXI”, an orchestra that will have two objectives, to function by itself with its repertoire and its singers and also to continue accompanying the record productions to the many performers who request my work.

He is currently putting the final touches on his new production Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orquesta, which will have national and international guests such as Jose Alberto “El Canario”, DLG, Septeto Acarey, Willy Garcia, Ng2, Nikki Alva, Aymee Nuviola, Leoni Torres, Issac Delgado, Haila, and will be released under the record label Puntilla Music based in Miami.

Alain Pérez invitado al Cd. Pa mi tres — Alain Pérez y Roniel Alfonso

He has worked in productions such as:

Sun and Soul (Canada)-2000

Carmen Flores (Babalu)

Latin Man Bobamba (Japan) 2000 Oasis Records

Helito George (Italy) (Simply My Way) 2002 Musical Production

Gardi “Gardi” 2003(Bis/Music) Musical Direction

Beby Verdecia “Montaña Mia” 2005 Colibrí

Issac Delgado “Prohibido” 2005 Luz Africa

Gardi “Lo que tu Querias” 2008 Egrem

Leo “Rodo de mi” 2009 / Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013)

Havana Heavy Hitters “Vestido de blanco” 2010

Haila 2011 “Mala” Bis Music (Cuba Disco Award 2012) music production

Luis Carreras (USA) 2012 8 y 5 Studios Music Production

Leoni Torres 2012 “Salseando” Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013) music production

Descemer Bueno “Bueno” Bis Music Emi 2012 (Cuba Disco Award 2013)

Zunilda “A mi tierra” 2012 Colibrí (Nominated Cuba Disco 2014)

Agustín Aspa (Spain) 2013 “De la Habana a Barcelona” Cuba Music Musical Production

Willie de Cuba” Prohibido” Italy) 2013

Luna Manzanares Egrem 2013

Eilen “Aquí estoy” 2014 Cuba Music

Gala Lucas “Tribute to Formell” 2014

Héctor Daniel “Alegría pa’ mi gente Cuba Music 2016-Music Production

Nelson Valdés and Leoni Torres “Tribute to Omara Portuondo” 2014 Bis Music

Omi (USA) 2014

Juan Guillermo Egrem 2015

Rosaliz “Dame Salsa” Egrem 2017 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2018) Musical Production

Mulata Son “Mujer y Artista” Cuba Music 2017-Music Production

Issac Delgado” Made in Habana” Egrem 2016 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2017)

Yoyo Ibarra “Tropical” Egrem 2017 Musical Production

Yai Valcarcel “Mi Esperanza” Yagruma S.A 2015

Miguel Herrera “Hoy quiero Fiesta (Sweden) 2017 Cuba Music and Egrem 2019 Music Production

Yenisel Seva “Romántica” (2016) Cuba Music Musical Production

Dance Company “Rakatan” 2016

Roberto Pulido “Mi locura” (Switzerland) 2016-2018 Music Production

Charles Manuel (Spain) 2017 Musical Production

Roniel Alfonso Presents “Son del XXI” Egrem 2017 (Nominated Cuba Disco 2017) Music Production

Gala “55 Aniversario del Icrt” 2017.

Miguel Ángel Caballero “Vista Fija” Blam Producciones 2017 Music Production

Kewenaonda “Arriésgate” (Dominican Republic) 2017-2020 Music Production

Enrique Iglesias Feat Gilberto Santa Rosa” Súbeme la radio” (Salsa) 2017 Music Production

Lalo Santos “Caribe 2018” (Mexico) (Mexico)

Azúcar Negra Egrem 2019

Patricio Amaro 2017 Musical Production

Haila” Canta a Armando Manzanero” Egrem 2018 (Cuba Disco Award of Honor 2019)

Grupo Orichas Feat. Luis Enrique” Sastre de tu Amor” (Salsa) 2018

Miguel Herrera (Sweden) 2018 Egrem Produccion Musical

Issac Delgado 2018

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y Charanga Habanera “Nos fuimos lejos” (Salsa) 2018 Musical Production

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y bebe-”nos fuimos lejos”(Acoustic) 2018 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Amor bonito” Egrem 2019

Orquesta Failde y Omara “Homenaje a Benny” Egrem 2019 (Cuba Disco Award 2019)

Aymee Nuviola” Journey Through Cuban Music” Topstop Music 2019 Production Musical (Grammy Awards Winner 2020), (Latin Grammy Nominee 2019)

Nelson Valdés “Cubriendo Ausencias” Bis Music 2019 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2019)

Leoni y Gente de Zona “Mejor sin ti” (Salsa) 2019 Music Production

Indira Hernández 2020 Music Production

Lenny de la Rosa 2020 Music Production

Yarima y Sabor Latino “Pa mi Tres” Egrem-Soundwear 2020 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Deja la Tristeza” 2020 Music Production

Septeto Acarey ‘”Vamos a Pasarla Bien” 2021 Musical Production

Wil Campa “Zapato Nuevo” Egrem 2020 Music Production

Angel Yos Egrem 2020

Liz Castillo 2021 Bis Music Music Production

Gabriela 2021 (Denmark-Cuba) Music Production

Nesty-2021 (USA) Music Production

Kel-2021 Music Production

Cd Herederos (Tribute to Irakere) Egrem 2021

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra 2021-Puntilla Music.

Orlando Valle, verdadero nombre del instrumentista "Maraca" — Orlando “Maraca” Valle y Roniel Alfonso

Facebook: Roniel Alfonso Mella

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Miami Correspondent

Salsa Superior Award
Diana Marie
Lady of Salsa 2021

International Salsa Magazine

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Salsa, Salsa & More Salsa

Musical Events Come To Europe

Europe welcomes music events after a long hiatus from the pandemic. Nightclubs with a limited number of people as well as small outdoor Salsa festivals and congresses begin to reactivate their activities by receiving attendees with the presentation of a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test.

Here is a list of Salsa events in Europe with tradition that gives you a tropical welcome and says goodbye to what happened in 2020.

MONACO SALSA CONGRESS

Adult couple dancing — 2020 passes are automatically valid for this new date

Since 2006 (first edition), the Monaco International Salsa Festival has been an unavoidable Salsa event for dance lovers.

This festival, a product of the passion of Hamidine Thiam and the experience of Gregory Salerno, has joined the best artists in the world on the same stage. Several of the festival’s shows have been broadcast on EuroSport for consecutive years, demonstrating the quality offered by this 15-year-old festival.

Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba for the following modalities: beginner, advanced, or just curious are presented in three rooms simultaneously. In addition, you can taste food in front of the stage only with VIP passes, quality shows, and DJ nights until almost dawn.

With optimism and eagerness, this edition of the Monaco Salsa Congress 2021 will take place from October 8^th to 10^th with the participation of Maykel Fonts, Tropical Gem Dance Company, Andrea & Silvi, SuperMario, 4DJs, and many more artists to share memorable moments with you.

Venue: Espace Léo Ferré. Les terrasses de Fontvieille, 25 avenue Albert II. 98000 Monaco

CROATIAN SUMMER SALSA FESTIVAL

Woman in leopard swimsuit and man in white shirt — Enjoy this unique experience in Croatia in late summer

You can already feel the energy of the festival that makes all the people of the western part of the city of Rovinj (Croatia) dance Salsa. Beaches, hotels with swimming pools at reasonably priced, streets, an old tobacco factory, squares, islands, the whole town is a dance floor for thousands of visitors from all over the world who live and breathe Salsa.

The Croatian Summer Salsa Festival aims to educate, inspire, communicate, and entertain fans of Salsa, dance, the sea, and the sun. The focus in this edition will be on three styles: Salsa, Salsa Cubana, and Mambo. There will be carefully designed professional workshops for all levels, high-level pre-festival workshops (Wednesdays and Thursdays), as well as intensive Bootcamps for advanced dancers.

Imagine and live the experience of being part of it!

Outdoor Social Dance: Party on the beach dancing to the most applauded Caribbean rhythm under the stars in one of the most beautiful cities on the Adriatic coast. Ah! And don’t forget that this event also offers a boat excursion.

Music & DJs: The perfect combination missed in 2020. Finally, it is time to connect with the sound of the Tumbadoras mixed with the ocean waves and the warm summer breeze.

Dance Instructors: They are present at this event to inspire you and raise your level from amateur to professional. With them, you can dance as a couple, watch their performances with incredible outfits, sing, and also they are host like real artists do.

Workshops & Bootcamps: For 15 years they have been dedicated to promoting the best possible social dance education with community artists to create a high-quality structured and progressive learning experience. To gain more skills in dancing Croatian Summer Salsa Festival brings you pre-festival classes, weekend workshops, and choreography bootcamps for those who want to push their limits.

From September 1^st to 5^th, the summer salsa festival in Croatia will be held in the landscape of the Seasunsalsa house in the city of Rovinj located on the Adriatic coast.

Official biosecurity measures will be respected.

BERLIN SALSA CONGRESS

Woman dressed in blue dress dancing with man in red jacket — Berlin Salsa Congress – Do you accept the challenge?

In Berlin, the people will dance Salsa again in a congress this 2021. This event will be held outdoors under the sun during the day and at night you will live your passion indoors with three dance floors.

In this edition of the Berlin Salsa Congress, the focus will be on high-level social dancing from noon to midnight. Also, you can improve your skills in a series of exclusive workshops taught by a lineup of instructors from the world community in Berlin.

This Salsa congress, the longest in Europe in continuous operation since 2001, is renewed and brings Choreography Bootcamps.

Bootcamp # 1 is about teamwork in the genres of Salsa and contemporary fusion.
Bootcamp # 2. This is an Afro-fusion of Mambo. Here you will develop skills in footwork. It is designed for dancers with an intermediate level.
Bootcamp # 3. It is based on footwork for ladies only. Rhythm: Salsa

A Choreography Bootcamp challenges you in many different ways. It’s not just about choreography or technique. It is much more. It is expanding your limits with friends with the same interest, achieving an incredible sensation of overcoming obstacles by performing in front of a large and enthusiastic audience.

Date: Thursday, August 26^th – Sunday, August 29^th

Venue: Tempodrom. Möckernstr. 10. 10963 Berlin, Germany

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We may enjoy the Minga Cup championship this year.

Known..

“The Future is our” Minga Cup 2021

America is one of the five (5) continents that have been affected by COVID-19 at the cultural level, as the majority of its events, festivals, concerts, congresses, among others were canceled because of people’s safety. This year, many things want to return to normal, and others have gone somewhat different ways such as jobs and online events that have been of much use to avoid a total paralysis of the whole world paralyzed not only socially and economically speaking and create a new lifestyle to which to date we are doing everything we can to adapt.

Members of the Minga Cup — Dancing at the Minga Cup Competition

The return of the festivals and mass events in two thousand and twenty one “2021” will be conditioned upon what happens in Europe and the United States in the coming months because they are the ones with the highest infection rates. In Latin America, several events have been scheduled with tentative dates which will be met (only if it is live “face – to – face”) if there are not a lot of contagions or the country and organizers allow it in compliance with all bio-security standards to protect us and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In Chile, a wide variety of musical and dance events have been held for many years and, currently, some of them have been held online and, on this occasion, we have one of the best known South American championships in Latin America; we have a competition called Minga Cup, which is a tournament that aims to boost the healthy competition between national and international dancers in Chile to generate new forums for the style and category exposed.

The cost of the access passes are as follows:

40% discount on Access Passes, which includes workshops, competitions, and parties (Offer Price $42.000 / Actual Price $70.000).
30% discount on Masterclass with Antonio Berardi which includes 4 closed and exclusive classes by Antonio Berardi (Offer Price $50.000 / 2020 Price $70.000).
30% discount on Competitor Registrations.

In this opportunity, the jury has already been elected and chosen in 2020, which includes:

From Italy, The brothers Antonio and Jasmina Berardi, Professional Dancers World Champions of Caribbean Dance.
- Facebook: @AntonioyJasminaBerardi
From Canada and Cuba, dancers Harold and Regan.
- Facebook: @haroldandregan
From Peru, Deklan, and Natalia the nine-time salsa and bachata champions.
- Facebook: @FCOPIURADYN
From Argentina, Yonel Blanco, dancer, and director of SOMOS!, which is a Cuban Folk Dance Company.
- Facebook: @yonel.blanco
From Argentina, Gustavo Pinat, dancer and teacher of Estudio BamBoleo Salsa.
- Facebook: @GustavoPinat
From Chile and Australia, Karen Connolly, director of the Karen Connolly Professional Institute of Performing Arts.
- Facebook: @ipaekc
From Chile, dancer Roberta Cifuentes.
- Instagram: @robycifuentes and Facebook: @ Roby2310

For this year two thousand and twenty one “2021” it will be held from April 8 to 11, 2021, if you want to have more information in general, ticket sales or other questions write to their email info @ copaminga.cl, or they can also contact them through their page from Facebook @copaminga or his website www.copaminga.cl and enjoy a moment full of fun, learning and much joy with everyone else.

Note: “If you want to get out of this quarantine, take care”

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“Choco Orta” Celebrates with New Single ‘Ahí na má’

The Puerto Rican sonera, percussionist, and producer “Choco Orta” is riding high with the release of her latest single.

“Choco Orta” de celebración con su nuevo sencillo ‘Ahí na má’

With this rendition of ‘Ahí na má’ penned by Cuban composer Zenón Abdón Suárez and arranged by Venezuelan pianist David Silva—“Choco” reaffirms her artistic identity, her interpretive power, and her enduring place in contemporary salsa.

In Puerto Rico, fans still fondly remember the triumphant concert celebrating the multi-talented artist’s three decades in salsa, held on April 6, 2019, at the Santurce Fine Arts Center (Centro de Bellas Artes). Throughout her impeccable career, the dancer and theater professor has earned numerous prestigious accolades.

In this latest recording, “Choco Orta” delivers a performance deeply rooted in the essence of salsa. The track has a storied history, previously recorded by legends such as Ismael Rivera with Cortijo y Su Combo, Frankie Vázquez with Los Soneros del Barrio, and Rico Walker with La Puertorriqueña, among others. According to the press release accompanying the release: “’Ahí na má’ captures the authentic language of the barrio, where the soneo becomes a narrative and a genuine connection with the audience.”

La sonera, percusionista y productora puertorriqueña, “Choco Orta”

This release was crafted specifically with the dancer in mind. The vocal tracking for the single took place at Willie González’s studio, under the expert engineering of Ceferino Cabán, while mixing and mastering were handled by José Guerrero at JosMastering in Venezuela. The cover art is the work of International Disseny.

Since her early days in Santurce, the seasoned soloist has carved out her own space in a historically male-dominated industry by focusing on her craft and growth. In an interview with Tele Once, “Choco” highlighted how her environment—steeped in a powerful salsa tradition—was instrumental in shaping her musical identity.

“Choco” dice reafirmar su identidad artística

“Choco Orta” stands as an exceptional example of the importance of soneo and improvisation as vital tools for communication and maintaining high-octane energy on stage.

Read Also: Choco Orta, The Queen of Flavor

David Frankel pursued music and created Avenida B Band to reconnect with the memory of his father

After coupling on our schedules, we were able to speak with bandleader and pianist David Frankel, whose story of how he became interested in music and eventually dedicated himself to it is truly fascinating. It also shows that not only Latinos and their descendants can fall in love with these rhythms, but also people outside our culture. This is because David has Russian and Polish heritage, which did not prevent him from falling in love with Latin music so intensely.

David and Ricky playing — David Frankel and Ricky Rosa playing live some years ago

What inspired David to pursue music

David was born in Lower Manhattan, New York, where there were many Latin families at the time. The neighborhood housed many Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. To this we must add that his father, Daniel “El Mago del Órgano” Franklin, was a musician and moved to that very place where Papote Jiménez, Ismael Miranda, Markolino, Freddy Lugo, Henry Fiol, Luis Ayala, and many others lived. Besides being a neighborhood full of artists, it was much cheaper living there, so he thought it was the ideal place for him.

It is worth noting that Daniel knew how to write music and read scores, but he had never played Latin music before in his life. He began to know it when several musicians he worked with asked for his help to read their scores, which led him to fall in love with Afro-Cuban music and develop an interest in salsa and merengue.

When David was born in 1979, Daniel had already been making music for about 15 years and had earned the nickname “The Organ Wizard” thanks to some band competitions held at a club in the Bronx. From a very young age, the boy watched bands rehearsing on the first floor of his house, so this salsa scene was natural for him. However, David had nothing to do with music until the death of his father in 2003.

David never had any interest in entering the art world, but the void left by Daniel’s death in his life drove him to study music, looking to connect with his father in some way. From there, he began taking piano and percussion classes, but he did not stop there. He also started to go out social dancing in the New York nightclubs and to know a bit more the nightlife of the city. On one occasion, a woman left him alone on the dance floor, and he was so ashamed in that moment that he decided to take classes and learn to dance.

David and the rest of Avenida B — The Avenida B Crew:
Juan Bowers – piano
Alvin Céspedes – bass
Ricky Rosa – congas/coro
Brian Pozo – bongos/coro/stage direction
Jhohan Hernandez – timbales
Demetrios Kehagias – trombone
Dan Lehner – trombone
David Frankel – lead vocals

That was when he realized that all the local bands played almost the same genres and songs, but there was no need for that because there was a world of possibilities in the Latin music he had discovered during his classes. There is a world beyond La Fania, and he learned that thanks to dance schools. All this thinking led him to create his own band with different music, to the old-school style he had always loved.

His father had always told him salsa is for dancing, and if you are not playing dance music, you are doing it wrong.

Which teachers taught David?

After thanking us for the question, David then proceeded to explain that there was a school in New York called the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, located at 104th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The heads of the education programmes there were Ramón Rodríguez and Louis Bauzó, who were excellent musicians and great people whom he met thanks to his father, who was a piano teacher at that institution. David used to accompany Daniel to the school and met both teachers through him.

Following his father’s death, David returned to that same conservatory to study singing with Ramón, while also studying percussion with Georgie Delgado and piano with Louis. In short, this institution was of vital importance for his career, and the many things he learned there were momentous both personally and professionally.

As for the dance, he enrolled at the Baila Society school in New York through some friends, but later studied at others such as Santo Rico Dance and Dance On 2.

Jimmy and David — Jimmy Bosch and David Frankel

Avenida B Band

David began his career as a musician by playing boogaloo with a group called Spanglish Fly and a few other small bands. After everything he had studied and learned, already for the year 2011, the idea of creating his own group started percolating in his mind, so he posted an ad online looking for musicians and called some former classmates who might be interested in the proposal. That was how he managed to gather a decent number of people with whom he could finally put the Avenida B project together.

He chose salsa dura as his main genre because it is the kind of music that makes him want to dance, and given his background, this was very important to him.

He is also about to release an album in tribute to his father, which he has named “El Mago,” and it will feature some of his own songs; it is scheduled to be released in July 2026.