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La Dimensión Latina is a Venezuelan salsa group founded in 1972 and still going strong today

The original members Oscar D’ León, César Monges “Albóndiga”, José Antonio Rojas “Rojitas” , José Rodríguez “Joseíto”, Elio Pacheco Jesús “Chuito” Narváez (R.I.P). And later Carlos Guerra.

César Monge, trombone player, after graduating from the Escuela de Bandas Militares, was part of the orchestras “La Tropicana de Eldy Tor” and “Los Mundiales” and “Swing Latino”.

Victor Cuica, a saxophone player, knew him from those musical steps.

Oscar León had just bought a car with which he used to be a cab driver, but with a great love for music.

León wanted to create a musical group and gave Cuica the task of recruiting musicians from the Escuela Superior de Música, where Cuica was studying.

La Dimensión Latina es una agrupación de salsa venezolana fundada en 1972 y sigue vigente

That orchestra was called “Oscar y sus estrellas”. César Monge played in that orchestra for a while, until musician Federico Betancourt, director of his group “Federico y su Combo”, hired him.

From there, Monges moved on to the orchestra “Los Dementes” of musician Ray Pérez and later to “Los Satélites” of “Cheché” Mendoza.

While playing with this orchestra, in the Caracas night club La Distinción in the urbanization El Rosal, a disagreement arose between the owner of the orchestra and the owner of the club.

León took advantage of the incident and decided, together with Cuica and Monge, to reestablish his group. Cuica, inspired by the name of the successful American group The 5th Dimension, suggested calling it Dimensión Latina.

La Dimensión Latina es una agrupación de salsa venezolana

Then León took a square and drew the logo with which the group was launched.

It was formally created on March 15, 1972 in a first rehearsal in La Guaira, at the home of the pianist Enrique (Culebra) Iriarte. It was formed by Iriarte on piano, César Monge (Albóndiga) and José Antonio Rojas (Rojitas) on trombones, José (Joseíto) Rodríguez on timbales and bongo, Elio Pacheco on tumbadoras and Oscar León, renamed Oscar D’León on bass and in the role of singer.

They made their debut as Dimensión Latina at the same venue La Distinción. The repertoire was based on songs by Mon Rivera, Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colón.

Several nights the establishment was frequented by Victor Mendoza, singer and musician founder of Trio Venezuela and by then hired as music producer by the Top Hits record label, who had a band called “El Clan de Victor”, which had to produce an album per year. Mendoza motivated the musicians and they did two musical auditions.

José Rodríguez, who had some money saved due to his work as a musician and motorcyclist, arranged for the recording at Estudios Fidelis with a song by Elio Pacheco and another by Oscar León. These tests were not to the liking of the label owner.

This discouraged Enrique Iriarte, who promptly left the group. His place was taken by pianist Jesús “Chuíto” Narváez. Despite the label’s refusals, Víctor Mendoza wanted to record them and decided to include them in his production of “El Clan de Víctor” in 1972.

The sextet’s first hit was “Pensando en ti”. Mendoza then suggested Oscar León the artistic name of Oscar D’León.

During 1973 they recorded their second album, called “Dimensión Latina” where he gained recognition and participated in important events, such as tours of Curacao and the carnival of Maracaibo, launching their third album “Triunfadores” from which the second hit of the orchestra “Qué Bailen Tós” was released.

In 1974 the bolerista from Caracas Wladimir Lozano joined the orchestra, who had been working in night clubs in Caracas along with the harpist Ramón Hernández.

Wladimir gave the group more interpretative depth, achieving the duo Oscar and Wladimir, which gave birth to important interpretations and commercial successes that earned the band international recognition.

The highlight of Lozano’s entrance was “La Piragua”, a song that reached the top of the radio charts.

By 1975, La Dimensión Latina enjoyed the support of the public, who enjoyed their performances on television and being the image of commercial products.

A new album arrived, “Dimensión Latina ’75”, and with it came their consecration, for some critics the most successful and iconic. It included songs of extraordinary commercial success such as “Taboga”, “Parampampam”, “Mi Adorada”, “Cañonazo”, and a song by Oscar that was included as filler but would become the best-selling single in their history, “Llorarás”.

This album catapulted the orchestra’s career and gave it a place of recognition in the salsa world that, at that time, was almost reserved for the orchestras of the New York salsa boom.

Musician Carlos Guerra joined the orchestra on trombone, increasing the number of trombonists to three.

Subsequent productions included new commercial and interpretative achievements such as “Dolor cobarde”, “El frutero” and “Dormir contigo”. After their presentation in the United States, La Dimensión produced the album “La Dimensión Latina en Nueva York” (1976), which would be the seventh and last album of the orchestra with Oscar D’León, who would leave the group to start a successful solo career.

In the absence of Oscar, La Dimensión Latina calls, at the suggestion of Joseíto Rodríguez, the well-known guarachero and gaitero from Zulia Argenis Carruyo, who had been a member of Super Combo Los Tropicales and Guaco, for the recording of the album “La Dimensión Latina ’77 Internacional” and bassist Gustavo Carmona.

That same year, thinking of continuing to blaze trails abroad, they thought of a voice of international stature, and it was the Puerto Rican musician Roberto Roena who suggested the famous Puerto Rican singer Andy Montañez, lead singer of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

Montañez was tempted by an extraordinary contract. Along with Montañez, the Zulian singer and sonero Rodrigo Mendoza joins the band and for the first time La Dimensión has three voices in its cast.

On November 11, 1977, La Dimensión Latina headlines the “Salsa International” festival at Madison Square Garden in New York, organized by Ralph Mercado and with the presence, among others, of Wilfrido Vargas and Cheo Feliciano.

Andy Montañez remained with the orchestra until 1980, recording eight albums, including hits such as “El Eco de un Tambor” by maestro Tite Curet Alonso, “Linda Minerva” sung as a duet with Argenis Carruyo, “Ave María Lola”, “Por el Camino”, “Mi Bombolaye”, and Puerto Rican contributions such as “Cantante Errante” by composer Johnny Ortiz and “Quisiera Saber”.

Rodrigo Mendoza managed to create hits such as “Fanfarrón”, “Córreme guardia” and “Suena el cuero”.

The orchestra also included Colombian pianist Samuel del Real, percussionists Carlos (Pacusso) Guillén and Luís Machado and the voices of Cheo Valenzuela, Alexis Martínez, Luis Arturo Guaramato and Alex “Mostaza” Vargas.

Cuatro décadas después y unidos por la salsa el Reencuentro del año Oscar D’ León y La Dimensión Latina

Four decades later and united by salsa, the reunion of the year Oscar D’ León and La Dimensión Latina.

Poliedro de Caracas

Only Invershow makes it possible

Venezuela this May 12, 2023 we will live something “HISTORIC”, and you can be present at this iconic reunion.

From seeing them together again to dancing and singing to the rhythm that only they can achieve.

It will be an unprecedented concert, don’t let them tell you about it and buy a ticket to live it YOU.

Será Un concierto sin precedentes, no dejes que te lo cuenten y compra una entrada para vivirlo TÚ

“The important thing is to maintain the style of the orchestra. The singer here has to adapt to the orchestra, not the orchestra to the singer. Whoever comes to sing has to adapt to the repertoire and to our way of doing salsa, which is very peculiar. We have a unique sonority”.

César Monge, Albóndiga.

Visit: La Dimensión Latina S.R.L

You always can count with friends

Latin America / Puerto Rico

I want to congratulate Gilberto Santa Rosa for a great job done with his first Virtual concert “Canta Mundo” to inaugurate the Coca-Cola Music Hall in El Distrito, located near the Puerto Rico Convention Center, in Miramar.

Gilberto offered a magnificent a virtual live concert with his band of Puerto Rican musicians. This is the first time, since the emergency began in Puerto Rico due to the pandemic created by COVID-19, that this modern room was activated to present a live concert recorded live, especially for Rums of Puerto Rico, and that they have chosen such an extraordinary artist for the inauguration was without a doubt a great success.

After much expectation, the Coca Cola Music Hall had its opening in a totally different way than imagined, with a concert that did not have the presence of the public or applause between songs, due to the limitations imposed by the COVID pandemic- 19. Gilberto Santa Rosa was entrusted to offer the first recital in the space. Both the singer and his musicians took all possible security measures to prevent the spread of the disease, but obviously, without the use of masks that would prevent them from playing their instruments or singing.

The concert “Canta Mundo” continues online so that the millions of Gilberto fans throughout the world become intimate audiences in their favorite spaces, you will surely enjoy it. The event was exclusively presented by Rums of Puerto Rico, and can be seen through the social networks of Gilberto Santa Rosa, as well as those of Coca-Cola Music Hall and Rums of Puerto Rico.

Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Cruz - friends — Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Cruz

I send a warm greeting to my good friend Jerry Rivas, singer of “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” since April 19, 1977, who now shares hits and music with his son Gerardo Rivas. In 1977 Andy Montañez, the lead vocal of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, announced his departure from the orchestra. Many saw the group debacle coming. When everyone expected to see an experienced singer, the always-wise director Rafael Ithier found a young singer to suit his group’s style.

The chosen one was a young man of just 21 years: Jerry Rivas. A shy Jerry Rivas presented himself with a cassette recorded with the music of the first groups that he joined for a short time, the musicians of the Gran Combo, looked at him suspiciously. Ithier, with his traditional good humor, contained his musicians with these words: “you rest easy, it is a black painted white”.

On April 19, 1977, Jerry began singing with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Jerry Rivas’ first performance was “Buscando Ambiente” at El Club Caborrojeño de Guaynabo and his first international success was “La Clave y el Bongó”. Rivas, self-taught and who in addition to singing plays guitar, cuatro and cuban tres guitar, remembers that as a young man he was a rocker, but he was struck by the joy that the members of the Gran Combo projected in their dances and choreography.

In his long career with El Gran Combo, Jerry Rivas, has become a renowned sonero and one of the oldest members of the Universidad de la Salsa, has recorded 30 albums with the group and many of the greats were recorded in his voice. hits from the orchestra, such as “Y No Hago Más Na”, “El Menú”, “Azuquita pa’l Café”, “Que me lo Den en Vida”, “Ojitos Chinos”, “Me Liberé”, among many others. The Gran Combo was the key to success for Jerry, who thanks Quique Lucca, founder of Sonora Ponceña, for his recommendation that Ithier give him the opportunity to audition. His talent was passed on to his sons, who became Los Rockolos as children.

Gilberto Santa Rosa Concert Without Public

Today, Gerardo begins his solo career, and Jerry Junior together with Samuel conducts the Los Rivas Orchestra organized more than a decade ago. Gerardo always affirms that no matter how many differences they may have, music unites them. He revealed on some occasion that his father did not want him to dedicate his life to popular music due to the strong and unstable environment, the risks and swings of the artistic world.

However, when Jerry looks at them during rehearsals and on stage, he is proud and always advises them to be responsible, avoid the negative and assimilate the positive. Recently, the vocalist of El Gran Combo joined with his son, also singer Gerardo Rivas, and his grandson Gerardo Gabriel to carry a musical message to his followers in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

The trio came together to perform a classic by the legendary salsa orchestra, Mente Positiva. “In difficult times, the best we can do is carry a positive message,” wrote Gerardo, also a member of NG2, in his social media. Rivas father was in charge of the Cuban tres guitar, Gerardo Gabriel of the key and the maracas and Rivas son interpreted the theme. It is not the first time that they have joined this quarantine to delight their followers with a musical number.

I applaud the initiative of Pedro Oggie García as CEO of Salsa Artist Booking Entertainment Group (SAB), who with his daily work supports all the salseros in the world at SalsaArtistBooking.com. SAB is the company specialized in the digital coding of music, administration, promotion and representation of Artists of the Salsa genre, With an experience of more than 30 years in the media and with relationships worldwide, always characterized by our responsibility, seriousness and compliance.

Using their experience, international relations and positioning, they will make your musical work a success. Always taking care of their interests and rights, trying to take the artists and their music where their public requires it. Contact them +1 956-442-0099

I would like to share with you my admiration for José Mangual Jr. “El Campanero Mayor”, who is an American percussionist, of Puerto Rican origin, son of also percussionist José Mangual Sr. He was born in New York on January 11, 1948 and has a trajectory of almost half a century in Salsa.

His contribution to this genre began in the mid-sixties in his native city, when he joined the group of Monguito Santamaría, son of the great percussionist Ramón “Mongo” Santamaría. He also played with La Conspiración. He was part of Tony Pabón’s band, which marked the beginning of his role as a singer. On the LP “La protesta”, recorded in 1972 for the Rico Records label, José Mangual Jr. sang the song “San Miguel”.

In 1971 he joined the Willie Colón band, and since the singer was Héctor Lavoe, José participated in the best and biggest albums recorded by that great duo. Mangual Jr. also recorded with Rubén Blades on some of the most representative albums in the Panamanian singer’s musical career. His talent has allowed him to be making simultaneous recordings with other groups, musicians and singers, such as Ismael Miranda, Mon Rivera, Frankie Dante, Ismael Quintana, Celia Cruz and the Willard Orchestra, conducted by Willie Pastrana.

In 1977 he launched as a soloist, recording with his own group the album titled Tribute To Chano Pozo, and so far, he has around twenty of his own albums. These are added to almost thirty recordings with Willie Colón, Rubén Blades and Héctor Lavoe. But they are only part of the huge list of his recordings with other orchestras, musicians and singers. His meritorious career has allowed him to travel to many countries of the world alongside countless great musicians and singers, and become an example of dedication and love for music.

This has also allowed him to make friends around the world who admire, love, respect; and be with him in important moments, triumphs, defeats and also in goodbyes … José Mangual Jr. lost his grandson Tyrell Bryant a few weeks ago to the covid-19. I extend my heartfelt words of condolence for such an irreparable loss, and reiterate my unconditional support for the entire family at this difficult time. You are not alone! I dedicate special tribute to his grandson Tyrell Bryant who always be present in our hearts. RIP 04/04/1992 – 04/18/2020.

My friends, I need you know that we continue working hand in hand with prominent artists from New York and Puerto Rico on the CD dedicated to maestro Adalberto Santiago on his 60th Anniversary. I promise to have more details about this fantastic musical production very soon.

I appreciate the support of Carl Cristiano, L&S Custom Tailors and cKc for my TV Show outfits and my public performances. Tailored suits with total care and confidence. Contact them, I recommend them with pleasure. www.LSTailors.com. Address: 138 E 61st Street Suite 201. New York, NY 10065. Phone: +1 212 752 16 38.

Don’t forget tune in to my new Fm / Internet radio station on Live365.com: Salsagallery. Great music, artist interviews and much more made with love for you all. There is the link: https://live365.com/station/a77973

Although yet It will not be possible to open to the public the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029, you can see the entire exhibition with more than 200 articles through our social media. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Salsa Artist Bokking logo

New York City is slowly returning to normal. We hope to be sharing with you physically again, but now we follow the instructions of the authorities to keep us safe and healthy.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected].

By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondent, New York, New York City

Honor to whom honor is due – Johnny Cruz

This month I hope to be able to pay tribute to great figures of our Latin music, who have worked tirelessly for years to make our music very high.

I want to greet my great friend Larry Harlow and wish him a speedy recovery. Larry Harlow is an American artist and performer, composer and producer of Cuban son, Montuno, Afro-Cuban jazz, mambo, guaracha, cha-cha, and salsa, hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Harlow, who is known for his mix of Afro-Cuban jazz and piano playing styles, studied music in the 1950s in Cuba, but was unable to complete his studies before the 1959 Cuban Revolution, forcing him to leave the island.

The Harlow Orchestra was the first to sign with Fania Records, Harlow has also produced more than 106 albums by various artists and more than 50 albums of his own authorship, in addition to those he produced for Fania. Among his most popular albums were “Abran Paso” and “Tributo a Arsenio Rodríguez” with Ismael Miranda as the vocalist. He also appeared with La Fania All-Stars, in the film, Nuestra Cosa Latina.

Harlow recorded one of his most momentous albums in just two days. Under the simple title of Salsa, it pays homage to the Cuban roots of tropical music, combining the sound of trumpets and trombones with two violins that evoke the aesthetics of the charanga of groups such as Orquesta Aragón.

With “The portfolio”, a version of a song by Arsenio Rodríguez, Harlow finds his greatest success. Thanks to the singers Adalberto Santiago and Junior González, the nickname “the wonderful Jew” arises. In 1972, salsa was in full swing. Larry Harlow, meditates on a musical concept for the Afro-Caribbean music market. Inspired by the success of the Anglo-Saxon opera, “Tommy”, Harlow was preparing for the launch of a similar concept, aimed at the salsa market.

For 1973 the opera Hommy, using the lyrics of Heny Álvarez, tells the story of a boy who, although blind and deaf, had a great talent for percussion. The outstanding musicians of the time and singers such as Justo Betancourt, Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto Santiago, Junior González, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez and Celia Cruz joined.

The combination of musicians and voices achieved its goal with a recording that established a lecture in the history of Afro-Caribbean music with a radiant exhibition that captured the airwaves and the imagination of the salsa audience. The songs “Es un Varón”, “El Día De Navidad”, “Quirinbomboro”, “Gracia Divina”, “Cari-Caridad” and “Soy Sensacional” were undoubted radio hits that became themes of dance and discussion among all the salseros.

It was the first time that an opera, Spanish-speaking, and in the salsa guild, was directed to the populace. Salsa got dressed up and that legacy opened the doors for the Afro-Caribbean musical tradition to now visit the most prestigious venues in the world.

That is the legacy of “Hommy”, one of the best recordings of the time, which brought together the best musicians of the moment in an expression that transcended time; and, in turn, he brought Celia Cruz to the salsa market and placed her in a seat of honor which she never left. But more importantly, “Hommy” took Salsa to a new place among audiences. What a contribution from Larry Harlow!

I also want to send my regards and appreciation to Ralph Irizarry. Recognized as one of the timpanists with the greatest “swing”, Ralph Irizarry has a distinctive style that has allowed him to leave an indelible mark in the groups where he has played. Born in Harlem Latino New Yorker, Ralph is a self-taught musician who learned his trade by listening to his brother’s records and the music of his idols in nightclubs, where he used to sneak into when he was 16 years old.

His family moved to Puerto Rico when Ralph was in his teens; There he acquired his first professional experiences with La Terrífica, El Gran Combo, La Sonora Ponceña and many other groups. After three years on the island, Ralph returned to New York, where he began playing with local groups.

One winter night in 1978, he met the legendary Ray Barreto at Manhattan’s Corso Nightclub and began a productive working relationship that would result in five extraordinary recordings. Ralph has recorded with David Byrne, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Earl Klugh, Juan Luis Guerra, Cachao, Celia Cruz and Yomo Toro, although he is widely recognized for his musical relationship with Rubén Blades and Seis Del Solar, with whom he remained. recording and performing internationally for 13 years.

His musical contributions have also been fundamental in the recording of two Latin jazz albums made by Seis del Solar for the Messidor Records label. Currently, he is one of the most sought after musicians who has kept working on commercials and film and television soundtracks.

His charisma also allowed him to develop an unexpected acting career: he acted in The Mambo Kings, playing the role of Pito Fernández. In the summer of 1996, Ralph participated along with Tito Puente in the show Master Timbaleros, presented at S.O.B.’s in New York. This historic concert was the culmination of 26 years of dedication, practice, and love of music. He founded the group Timbalaye, a septet with a strong big band sound.

The group combines contemporary Latin jazz with diverse tropical rhythms (timba and songo) and traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms (bomba, cha cha chá and son montuno). Their innovative sound has allowed the group to perform weekly at various venues in New York. Among his most recent projects is a recording at Birdland for a compilation to be released by the RCA Records label. Timbalaye is considered the force of Latin jazz. My hug and respect to you Ralph!

I am happy to express my gratitude and admiration to a powerful woman, Director of Taínos Tower and Vice President of the Museum of Salsa: María Cruz.

María Cruz was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. In 1966 she came to New York looking for new opportunities. While studying at Manhattan Community College, she began working with the East Harlem Pilot Block Redevelopment Project. Although she may have had no idea at the time, that job was the beginning of her career as a community activist and advocate for social services. As a community worker at the East Harlem Pilot Block, she helped design and offer a tenant orientation in preparation for the occupation at Taino Towers.

Later, she became a Building Representative and worked with tenants regarding apartment issues, rent, social service issues, and Section 8. Maria Cruz has been involved in many community activities:

From 1984 to 1989; She served as president of the Tenants Association of her apartment building. She was vice president of the East Harlem Little League Baseball organization. In her spare time, she organized bus trips for neighborhood children to amusement parks and ball games. Encouraged and assisted several tenants to return to school and continue their education, so that they can be trained and empowered to return to the workforce and leave Public Assistance. Ms. Cruz earned her RAM (Registered Apartment Manager) certificate from NYU and is registered as a Certified Leasing Professional.

Currently, Ms. Cruz is the Executive Director of ARCO Management Inc. / Taino Towers. She has always been a strong activist for the community. In the summer of 1999, Ms. Cruz organized the first annual Taino Family Day. Day in which all residents and members of the East Harlem community participate and celebrate a day of unity. On Taino Family Day, residents rent “kioscos” food stalls and sell various ethnic foods, dance to the rhythm of various musical bands, and children enjoy activities such as face painting, puppet theater, and a petting zoo.

Each year, Ms. Cruz focuses on a different topic such as: education, music, tributes, and family values. As Executive Director, one of her greatest accomplishments was the renovation of the Touro College building. She is currently a board member of the East Harlem Council for Human Services and works closely with local politicians and representatives.

In 2002, Ms. Cruz along with Irving “Magic” Johnson opened the Magic Johnson Computer Learning Center. This program provides computer classes to Taino Towers and the East Harlem Community. As Executive Director, she was also able to oversee the completion of the Senior Park at Taino Towers.

In the summer of 2003, voted by the majority of the tenants, the Park for the elderly was renamed the Maria Cruz Park for the elderly. In September 2019, she was honored with the Eugenio María de Hostos Award from the Puerto Rican National Association for her commitment to the East Harlem Community. People like Mrs. Cruz are exemplary citizens of the Latino community in the United States, and in New York.

Do not stop listening to the new single: “Gracias”, and the first solo production of Papo Rosario, produced by the arranger and musician Isidro Infante. Rosario is grateful to be alive and to be able to walk after being bedridden as a result of a car accident. Papo Rosario is a world-class artist who has put the name of Puerto Rico high. Rosario, withdrew in 2019 from the group considered the “university of salsa”, El Gran combo de Puerto Rico, after having an accident and presenting health problems. Now, he affirms that he already feels ready to resume his musical career with the launch of his first solo production by producer Isidro Infante. Much success in this new stage.

I highly recommend that you follow the track of Quintero’s Salsa Project, a Venezuelan salsa group based in New York, nominated for a Latin Grammy and led by cousins Luisito and Roberto Quintero, released an album in which they pay tribute to the work of La Dimensión Latina, the orchestra that represented a before and after in the history of this musical genre in Venezuela.

The band wanted to go back to the 60s to remember that particular style with which La Dimensión Latina championed Venezuelan salsa: “Many of the world’s salsa players and Venezuelans identify with this rhythm. We, the Quintero, have always been loyal fans of these great teachers. With this album we wish to pay tribute to those who today are a world icon of salsa ”, they said through their networks. “Ya tú lo verás”, promotional single from the album composed by Oscar D’León, was arranged by the legendary trombonist and director of La Dimensión Latina, César Monges, better known as “Albóndiga”.

The album is the second released by Quintero’s Salsa Project, following their debut project, Nuestro Hogar, which was nominated for the 2019 Latin Grammy for Best Salsa Album. In that same ceremony, Luisito Quintero, one of the great Venezuelan percussionists who make a professional life in the United States, received the gramophone as a member of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, which was recognized for his Anniversary album as Best Latin Tropical Album. Quintero is also a member of the group of the great pianist Chick Corea. Do not miss it!

The invitation to tune in to the new Fm / Internet radio station on Live365.com continues: Salsagallery. Good music, interviews with the artists and much more.

At the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum we are happy to say that we are gradually returning to our activities and we will be opening the gallery sporadically. We do not stop, we continue to work for our music and we will always keep you informed through our social networks. We hope to have more news shortly and that we can return to normal soon.

***By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondents,* *New York, New York City***

Major Latin radio stations in New York

The current radio

Radio has always been present in a very important part of our lives, which is information and communication. Over time, it has also been a bridge for the most deprived to go public with their complaints and for new artists to make their work known. After the emergence of the internet, traditional radio stations had to adapt to the new era and air their content through the diverse digital platforms that have appeared in recent years. This is how all these shows have avoided their possible disappearance due to the lack of traditional radio listeners.

New York is one of the cities that has several of the most important radio stations in the United States whose content can be easily found in the web search engines. In view of the importance of radio and locution in entertainment and treatment of sensitive topics in society today, we consider it appropriate to name some of the main Latin radio stations in New York for the public to get to know them.

El Vacilón de La Mañana team consisting of DJ Ash, Gerpis Correa, Natalia ”Vacilón”, Francis Mendez, Jessica Pereira and DJ New Era

Mega 97.9

Mega 97.9 is a radio station operating in New York City whose tropical format offers musical genres such as salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and bachata. Its official name is WSKQ FM and its headquarters is located in the Empire State Building, as it is the case with many other stations.

It was created in 1951 under the name WEBD FM and its programming consisted of pop and jazz music of the time, but that was slowly changing. There were many changes of names, personnel, directors, presidents and much more, so the current programming is radically different from that of past times. In 1993, its name changed to Mega 97.9 and its content became based on tropical and Latin genres, which caused a revival of the station and a very considerable increase in the audience that it had until that year.

Among its most watched programs, we can mention the now defunct ”El Vacilón De La Mañana” and ”On Fuego: The Daddy Yankee Show”.

El Palo Con Coco team consisting of Tony Sanchez ”El Tiburón”, Coco Cabrera and Diosa Fernández

WXNY X96.3

WXNY X96.3 is a station mainly focused on contemporary adults whose main language is Spanish and is broadcast on the frequency 96.3 FM. The programming focuses on providing the biggest hits of the moment in terms of Latin rhythms and some entertainment programs that address contemporary issues in the entertainment world. Two of the most popular shows are ”La Gozadera” and ”El Palo Con Coco”.

Radio Puerto Rico

Radio Puerto Rico offers the most popular music from both the present and the past in the salsa genre. It streams Latin music of all genres such as salsa, reggaeton, merengue, vallenato, among others. At any time of the day, listeners can tune in and listen to El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Marc Anthony, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera, Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and many others. Some of its shows are ”Al Son de Harold Montañez”, ”La música de tierra adentro”, ”Música Tropical” and ”Repartiendo su fortuna”.

Havana Club Radio

As the name suggests, Havana Club Radio is a radio station that seeks to unite all Cubans around the world in becoming one voice. Its waves play the island’s typical genres such as salsa, salsatón, rumba, danzón and more. It has very good ratings in several major cities in the United States and gives Cubans and Latinos in general the opportunity to connect with their homelands, even if they are far away.

Maelo y su Klan want to bring tropical rhythms to the whole world

Maelo y su Klan is the latest project, and one of the dreams, of the producer with more than twenty years of experience, Johnny Ysmael Salaverria Dicurú. The popular “Maelo” as his dearest friends call him, continues his career by working and pouring his heart into this project. With them the first genre fusion between Son and Kizomba is known. In the following lines we will talk about Maelo and his most beloved project.

Who is Maelo?

Johnny Ysmael Salaverria Dicurú was born in San Juan parish, in Caracas, capital city of Venezuela, where he spent his childhood surrounded by the joy of the Caribbean “soneros and salseros”. He was a child when he first expressed his interest in one of the most popular tropical Caribbean rhythms, salsa. Part of his influences came from his uncle, Héctor Bruno Dicurú.

Ysmael D´La O, is his artistic name on stage and producing, but his closest friends call him “El Tiburón de la Salsa”. He left with $80, and a luggage full of dreams, to look out for adventures abroad. His destiny was Tenerife, where he quickly earned the love and respect of the natives, and was embraced as an adopted son.

Maelo as a producer has worked with renowned soloists and groups, from all over the world. To name a few: Nicky Jam, El Binomio de Oro, Tito Rojas, Oscar D’León, Porfi Baloa, Tony Vega, La Dimensión Latina, Ray Sepúlveda, Guayacán, El Grupo Niche. As a promoter and producer of events, one of his greatest achievements was El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico who celebrated their 50th anniversary, and visited Europe hand in hand with him.

We can call Maelo, the cultural ambassador of Caribbean rhythms, making more than 30 countries listen and enjoy them. He was the first Latin American to have 100 continuous virtual conversations during the pandemic, a time when creativity was the escape of many artists.

Among his awards and recognitions is being nominated as International Producer of the Year in 2020, Producer and Promoter of the Virtual Euro Festival in the 20/21 edition. But soon more will come, since Maelo’s talent is infinite.

Defining Maelo and his Klan

The band stands out in danceable rhythms such as: Son, Charanga, Guaguancó, Salsa, Tropical, Latin Jazz and a lot of fusion with an original sound, which is inspired by African rhythms. Of course, with the influences of great masters of the old tropical school. In this way, a combination is created that generates a modern sound, worthy of the new generation. But what most characterizes this Klan is the creation of the fusion of the genres between Son and Kizomba.

The works of Maelo y su Klan have the collaboration of the renowned arranger and director of Billo’s Caracas Boys, the Venezuelan Julio Cesar Estrada. Also by Paquito Barón, ex-member of the Orquesta Bronco of Venezuela, in the musical production.

The Klan has all the merits and the support of the Anglo-Saxon and Asian public. One of his productions entitled ¡Cultura viva! Fusion is positioned as the new sound in Afro-Caribbean music. Maelo not only puts his talent for the band, but also puts all his knowledge of the tropical rhythms of Latin America, as well as its movements through Europe and Asia. Let’s hope that the journey of Maelo y su Klan will be a very long one, full of great successes, so that they can continue to please the public that loves these tropical rhythms.