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Johnny Cruz – Let’s support the artists who continue working

North America / United States

The latin music from the Johnny Cruz view

We are about to end this 2020 so atypical and challenging for everyone. Especially for artists who make a living from shows and entertainment. I want to congratulate all those who keep up working despite adversity. I also take advantage of the season to thank those who accompany us to make each and every one of our projects possible, and of course, to God, for the health and recovery of those who have had relapses throughout this year. Thank you all!

Johnny Cruz from New York — Johnny Cruz is the president of Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery

My recognition goes to Ismael Miranda.

This Puerto Rican artist became famous during the salsa explosion of the 70s in New York, his fans called him “El niño bonito de la salsa”. Miranda was still a teenager when he recorded with the Larry Harlow Orchestra and joined the Fania All Stars.

Then came a solo career of extraordinary quality. Known for his professionalism and healthy habits, Miranda continues to record and perform concerts with his voice as vital as ever.

He recorded his first album at 16 with the Joey Pastrana orchestra. Then he went to Larry Harlow and began to seek his own identity and have more respect for music. He confesses that at first he did not take his music career so seriously, and although there were women and drugs, he never disrespected his directors or the public.

“When fame falls on you and you are not prepared, you become a person who is not very nice, who thinks that he is more than anyone else. I was an inexperienced baby, but I was catching up little by little.

Friends like Cheo Feliciano and Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez watched over me. Adalberto Santiago was always by my side. Santitos Colón — Tito Puente’s singer — became my compadre. With all those people that surrounded me, I had to start doing things as God intended so as not to lose their support,” he said in an interview. Given the good impression his performances with Andy Harlow made, his brother, Larry Harlow, called the Judío Maravilloso, decided to recruit him to his orchestra.

Ismael Miranda began his recording cycle with the album El exigente. Convinced of the potential of the young singer, in 1968, Larry launched a new production entitled Harlow Orchestra presents Ismael Miranda.

The successes were repeated with the recordings Electric Harlow, Tribute to Arsenio Rodríguez, Abran paso and Oportunidad. With Larry Harlow, Ismael also ventured into the field of composition, sharing credits with him on the songs “La revolucion”, “Guasasa”, “Arsenio”, “El malecón” and “Lamento de un guajiro”, among others.

He has also stated that the most unpleasant thing about his career is that being so young in the beginning, he has had to see iconic characters and great friends like Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, La Lupe pass away.

Find it difficult to be alone after having so many friends. “Today the world is each one by his side. La Fania was not just a record company. We were a big family in which we all loved each other very much. Every time I hear another musician leave, my soul breaks. ”

In the 1980s he recorded several productions with his independent record label. He recorded in 1984 with the prestigious Cuban group Sonora Matancera for his old record company Fania.

In 1986 his album Versos de Nuestra Cultura, together with singer-songwriter José Nogueras, was one of the great successes of the Christmas season of that year. In 1988 he announced his intention to retire from the artistic media. But that idea never came to fruition. Ismael has recorded with his own record label, IM Records, and with the RMM company.

He has a very close family. He has been with his second marriage for 25 years and has also been with his first wife for another 25 years. All of his children are married and have their own businesses. He has 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Recently Ismael Miranda and José Alberto “El Canario” joined Daniel Peña in “Hijo Del Cañaveral” Daniel Peña, Dominican based in the city of Miami.

He is recognized for his percussion skills and for being a music producer. Peña has worked with music greats such as Tito Puente Jr., pianist Marlow Rosado, Ismael Miranda, pianists Richie Ray and Larry Harlow, Celia Cruz and Giovanni Hidalgo. In 2014, he made his debut with the album “Eleven”, dedicated to his children; and three years later I have released “Sancocho”, a project with eleven songs.

The Dominican presents his new single “Hijo del Cañaveral”, a production that he made together with two great masters of salsa, Ismael Miranda and José Alberto “El Canario”.

Gerardo Rivas releases his first solo single.

Gerardo Rivas first solo single — New song for this talented artist

Puerto Rican Gerardo Rivas delights his followers with the launch of his first solo song. “A derretir el hielo” is a salsa, composed by Juan José Hernández and Victor Sanabria López, with musical production by Marcos Sánchez.

A few weeks after its premiere, the video clip has almost thirty thousand views on YouTube. The work leads to mysticism and contains a refreshing proposal. The direction was the work of Giova González and was filmed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “Vamos a juntar los cuerpos bella, vamos a subir al cielo, vamos a prender la vela bella, vamos a derretir el hielo” the chorus quotes.

After more than a decade belonging to the group NG2, Puerto Rican salsa duo Rivas decided to try it on their own. “With great humility I present my first solo work. All my life I have been involved in music and daring to do a solo project feels very good “, declared Rivas. The singer is the son of Jerry Rivas, who belongs to “El Gran Combo”. From a very young age he has been immersed in the musical world. He was the vocalist of the group “Gerardito y los rockolos”.

In addition, it has around twenty-five years of experience. Rivas has always been a believer in salsa, bets on it and defends it in each presentation. A faithful representative of the genre!

The new success of Papo Rosario with Luisito Carrion and Isidro Infante!

This is the land where I was born. Papo Rosario is a world-class artist who has put the name of Puerto Rico high. Rosario, who withdrew in 2019 from the group considered the “Universidad de la salsa”, El Gran combo de Puerto Rico, after having an accident and presenting health problems, affirms that he already feels ready to resume his musical career with the Launch of his first solo production by producer Isidro Infante.

From this new album, we have their second single that cannot be missed. Without jumping on stage as before, but maintaining the grace of his movements, the singer Papo Rosario continues to work on his return to salsa with maestro Isidro Infante, who was the musical director of Fania All Stars. Rosario retired from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 2019, after 38 years, as a result of a tumor in the spine, with which he battled since 2000, when he was operated on for the first time. This was followed by a second surgery in 2005, a third in 2017, and a fourth and fifth in 2018.

“They took out the whole tumor, which shot up as it pleased. In 2017 they removed 70% of the tumor on my right side, equivalent to a football. In 2018 they rebuilt my spine because the tumor ate a lot. I have a titanium spine, a scaffold on my back with rods that keep me on my feet. They removed 30% of the tumor on my left side in 2018,”, explained the singer. The medical prognosis indicated that he would not walk again.

“After so much therapy, I feel super good. After the operation, he said: let it be the will of Father God, it was not known if he was walking or not. I am up in the fight and grateful to God and to all the people for their prayers, which have contributed greatly to my health ”, the now soloist has stated in recent interviews. Rosario’s relationship with Infante dates back to adolescence, when they studied at Central High School in Santurce.

“I have always been an admirer of Isidro. We met around the world, he with the Fania and I with the Combo. People told me: ‘You have to do something’, I made up my mind and wanted Isidro to make a couple of arrangements for me”, he revealed. He has also stated that: “We come with traditional sauce, eventually something will be done with more mischief. The topics are everyday, nothing hurtful, but motivational in the middle of the quarantine. We do not want to come with bochinches, but to bring joy and give thanks ”. I wish you success today and always!

Gran Combo in concert

The Gran Combo de Puerto Rico announce concert (more artists) — The concert will be this November 14th ith more artists

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico announced its first virtual concert for this November 14th from the Centro de Bellas Artes in Santurce. After almost eight months of inactivity due to the paralysis of the entertainment and events industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Mulatos del Sabor” have remained “bien guardados” during this period, but they understand that it is now “time to remove the mold and offer the sauce that we are asking for,” according to Jerry Rivas, vocalist of the veteran group. The so-called “Universidad de la Salsa” will offer on Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 p.m. the virtual show from the stage of the Centro de Bellas Artes (CBA), Luis A Ferré in Santurce. The mulatos have named the concert “El Gran Combo para el mundo”, since from the Spyntyx.com platform it can be enjoyed from any corner of the planet.

“The pandemic arrived and the whole world was paralyzed. But in the face of people’s requests and the messages that reached us about when they are going to do a show, we ventured into this format, which is new to us, but it is still an opportunity to reach more people anywhere in the world. In addition, we are going to present some of the themes of what will be our new record production “, mentioned Willie Sotelo, musical director of the group.

Sotelo and Rivas indicated that the founder of El Gran Combo, Rafael Ithier welcomed the virtual format, since like the rest of the members he is eager to return to the stage. Ithier turned 94 years old in August this year and has been very careful and cautious in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. So much so that for the birthday celebration the mulattoes surprised him with a sound bus at his house.

The musicians arrived at the front of Ithier’s residence and greeted him from the outside, and according to Rivas, days later the older mulato was tested for COVID-19 to verify that he is in good health. The virtual show will be prerecorded in some parts to avoid any mistakes. Tickets can be pre-purchased through spyntyx.com at a cost of $ 8.00.

The presentation will be a musical journey through hits such as: “Arroz con habichuelas”, “Sin salsa no hay paraíso”, “El problema está en el coco”, “Es la mujer”, “Achilipú”, “Colombia tierra querida”, “A mí me gusta mi pueblo”, “La espuma y la ola”, “El comején”, “La receta de amor”, “Alguien que me quite tu amor”,”Si la ves por ahí”, “Te veo, nena” y “No hay manera”, among others.

The group will integrate to the repertoire about three new songs as part of the musical production that they have worked in the months of the pandemic and that they hope to release before the end of 2020. “We had started the album before the pandemic, but these months have been perfect because by not traveling we have been able to dedicate ourselves to finishing the nine songs on the album. We are already in negotiations with record companies and the launch should be in December”, said Sotelo.

The group is invited every year to participate in the Feria de Cali at the end of December. This year, the invitation came to make the presentations in a small format capacity and in various tents that can maintain social distancing. The salsa orchestra has not confirmed its participation, so they are still evaluating the possibility of traveling to Colombia. Even so, in Puerto Rico they have six dates of Drive-In events and closed circuits confirmed for the holiday season. This never stops!

Adaberto Santiago 65th Anniversary

And if we are talking about incredible careers in this edition, I can’t stop talking about Adalberto Santiago and the new projects of the 65th anniversary with great artists of the genre. This time I can tell you about Cuco Peña’s string arrangements, the participation of Nelson Jaimes and, of course, the help of my friend Freddy Miranda. At 83 years old, he is still in the rumba. There is less and less to show the world this historical piece for the world of salsa.

Some invitations

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.

As always, remember that Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029. Open free to the public all Thursdays & Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 8 pm. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Also, The Johnny Cruz Show, the # 1 Salsa Show on television on all 5 Boroughs of New York on CH67. Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

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

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Cuqui Pacheco endorses the Salsa Museum and present the new book about Johnny Pacheco

The Salsa Museum and myself, Johnny Cruz, are pleased to welcome the former life partner of maestro Johnny Pacheco, María Elena Pacheco, better known as Cuqui Pacheco. The artist’s widow spoke exclusively with me and Rubio Boris about the new book by Juan Moreno-Velázquez entitled ”Johnny Pacheco: tres de café, dos de azúcar y ¡ponle salsa!”

The maestro’s artistic and personal life continues to venom a particular interest to his biggest fans, so you can’t miss this spectacular compilation of some of the most interesting anecdotes of Johnny Pacheco’s career. Below, we will discuss some of the topics covered in the written material.

Cover of Johnny Pacheco’s book — Cover of the book ”Johnny Pacheco: tres de café, dos de azúcar y ¡ponle salsa!”

What are the book’s main objectives?

What Moreno-Velázquez looks for in the first place with this book is to do justice to the life and work of the world famous musician by describing some of the most important stages of his life, so that his loyal public will know far more about the record businessman and producer.

One thing we want to point out in the story is that there were many things that led Pacheco to the place he obtained in the industry, such as the influence of his father Rafael Arias Pacheco, his percussion studies, his ability to perform and the talent for arranging he found out he had.

After going down all that path as a musician, the artist began to develop a much broader and deeper vision of everything about the industry, to the extent that he became one of the greatest music entrepreneurs and forever changed the way businesses were run in showbiz.

The book also aims to shed as much light as possible on Pacheco’s work, as the subject has been little documented. It could be said that one of the few documentaries that addresses the subject of the flutist and the stars who have been part of La Fania is ”Yo Soy La Salsa” whose trailer can be found on the YouTube platform. However, ”Johnny Pacheco: tres de café, dos de azúcar y ¡ponle salsa!” will surely expose unpublished or little-known aspects.

In addition to this, the book memorialized the explanation of how Pacheco managed to turn salsa into some kind of Caribbean identity that made millions of Latinos identify with a single emotion no matter in which country they were born or where they currently live.

Cuqui Pacheco and Samuel Pereyra — Cuqui and Samuel Pereyra, general administrator of the Banco de Reservas (the financial institution that published Pacheco’s biography) / Courtesy to the organizers

Issues raised in the book

Before becoming the mogul he came to be, Pacheco had already demonstrated his creative skills with rhythms he popularized thanks to his talent, such as the pachanga and the charanga Pacheco. The book gives a very interesting account of facts, persons, circumstances, coincidences and anecdotes that are little mentioned publicly, which increases its value at a bibliographical level in the eyes of any student of salsa or Latin music in general.

Moreover, the text also refers to the impact Pacheco had on music as a result of some factors among which we can mention his experience, musical sense, leadership and great interpretation of the experiences lived by other orchestras.

The importance of this book lies in the exaltation of Pacheco’s work and the legacy left by him after his tragic death on that fateful day of February 15, 2021. It is sure to become an obligatory reference for anyone who wishes to learn more about the story not only of this musician, but of salsa in general.

Tribute to Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. His first recording was professionally with Tito Puente in 1964 and was titled “Exciting Rhythm of Tito Puente”

Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez, (September 11, 1945, United States August 17, 2024) son of Johnny Rodriguez Sr. who was nicknamed “La Vaca”, remembered percussionist who was part of the orchestras of Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, among others; as we can deduce, music for Johnny Rodriguez is something clearly hereditary given that as a child he attended his father’s rehearsals and his mother was a dancer.

Johnny Dandy Rodriguez Foto By Miguel Martillo

To get an idea of the musical family, let’s say that Johnny Rodriguez Sr. also took part in performances and recordings with musicians and singers of the stature of: Alfredito Levy, Joe Quijano, Jose Curbelo, Lou Perez Louie Ramirez, Machito, Miguelito Valdes, Noro Morales, Orlando Marin, Pete Terrace, Pupi Campo and Xavier Cugat.

The father’s enormous musical background was emulated in a great way with ample merits by the son.

Dandy Rodriguez grew up in Spanish Harlem in Manhattan, his home was very musical and when he was in high school he learned the details of percussion represented by the bongos, congas, timbales and drums. Influenced by his father he became interested in music and so in 1962 he joined the band of maestro Tito Puente.

His first professional recording was with Tito Puente and was titled Excitante Ritmo De Tito Puente; after this first album with Puente, “Dandy” Rodriguez began to deepen his musical studies listening and learning from leading musicians such as: José Mangual Senior bongosero from Machito, Rogelio “Yeyito” Iglesias bongosero from Cachao and Vitin Palacio bongosero from Johnny Segui.

He worked with the King of Timbales for more than three decades, initially in the sixties, more specifically from 1962 to 1972, then he rejoined Tito Puente’s band at the end of the seventies and was part of it practically until the death of the famous King of Timbales.

In the extensive career of our Johnny Rodriguez in music we must mention his internship with Joe Cuba’s orchestra, with whom “Dandy” Rodriguez himself says he participated in seven or eight albums since the mid-sixties; the first of them titled Joe Cuba Sextette – Comin’ At Yous; without forgetting to mention that in those albums the name of Johnny Rodriguez Jr. does not appear in the credits due to issues related to contracts with record companies.

His stay with Puente was not a limitation for him to be part of other musical groups, so he also worked for several years with another great of Latin music, the remembered Tito Rodríguez. He was also part of the band of the famous conguero Ray Barreto, replacing Tony Fuentes, and was one of the founders of the famous Típica 73 in 1972 and even took part in a couple of albums with Machito.

In the seventies, during the Salsa Boom, “Dandy” Rodriguez left his mark on recordings with: Jose “Cheo” Feliciano, Charlie Palmieri, Roberto Torres, Willie Rosario, Ismael Quintana, Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco, Louie Ramirez, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Fania All Stars, Alfredo De La Fe, Conjunto Clásico, Henry Fiol and Tito Allen.

As we mentioned before, John Rodriguez returned to the band of maestro Tito Puente in 1978 and was part of the band until Ernesto Antonio Puente’s death in 2000 at the age of 77; he participated in this cycle in at least twenty musical works apart from a large number of concerts and performances on tours in different countries around the world.

During those two decades with Tito Puente he also worked with other musicians, singers and groups such as: Miguel Quintana, Roberto Torres, Charlie Rodriguez, Tito Allen, Alfredo De La Fe, Azuquita Y Su Melao, Charlie Palmieri, Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco, Paquito D’ Rivera, Raulin, The Bronx Horns and Angelo Vaillant.

Luisito Quintero, Johnny Rodriguez y George Delgado

During the first two decades of the new century, the musical work of maestro Johnny Rodriguez continued and his musical mark has remained in other publications with The Latin-Jazz Coalition, Frankie Morales, Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, George Delgado, Victor Manuelle, Rick Arroyo, Orestes Vilato, Mitch Frohman, Cita Rodriguez, Doug Beaver, Adalberto Santiago and Jeremy Bosch.

Also, special mention must be made of the participation of maestro Johnny Rodriguez with a group called The Latin Giants Of Jazz, in the best style of the classic Big Bands made up of great teachers, including some of the former members of maestro Tito Puente’s band; with this group they have published four albums; this project gave rise to another band called The Mambo Legends, who recorded the album entitled: Watch Out! Be careful!

John Rodriguez is without a doubt one of the most prolific percussionists in the world of Latin music called Salsa. The nickname “Dandy” dates back to his childhood when the car he was driven in was bought at a store or shop called “Dandy” and people said look how cute “Dandy” is and from there he stuck with that nickname. In music he is better known as Johnny instead of John.

In (the year 2022) the experienced Johnny Rodriguez had three or four groups with which he is playing, including Dandy Rodriguez and his Dream Team, while teaching percussion classes online.

He is one of the true legends of Latin music, not to mention that his talent has also been reflected in recordings for other musical genres such as: Electronic, Folk Rock, Folk, World & Country, Funk / Soul, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Stage & Screen, Jazz-Funk, Merengue and Pop.

In his very extensive artistic career, maestro Johnny Rodríguez was part of historic and iconic recordings of our musical culture, some of these albums have been worthy of awards such as the Grammy Award, among which are:

Tribute to Beny Moré – Year 1978

On Broadway – Year 1983

El Rey: Tito Puente & His Latin Ensemble – Year 1984

Mambo Diablo – Year 1985

Goza Mi Timbal – Year 1990

Mambo Birdland – Year 1999

Masterpiece / Obra Maestra Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri – Year 2000.

“In 2008, Johny entrusted LP’s Research and Development Department with the design of the John “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. Legends Series bongos. John is proud that these drums, which bear his name, feature such outstanding sound and visual characteristics.”

Also Read: Jerry Ferrao says in salsa key: “My life is a drum”

Collaboration: Marino de Jesus (1588) from Salsa History from the Dominican Republic

Jimmy Delgado’s ongoing projects and legacy of Johnny Rodríguez

Salsa news in New York

Hello everybody! As always, we have the latest in the salsa scene for our audience. Today, we will talk about Jimmy Delgado’s ongoing projects and the life and work of Johnny Rodriguez during his career.

Jimmy Delgado and his new album

This is Jimmy Delgado

Jimmy Delgado is an artist born in New York City, United States, on July 29th who has had a very prolific career in the Latin music world. There is not a lot of information about the years in which he became interested in music, but it is known that he started in this world in 1974, that’s when he began working with various orchestras and artists of renown such as Ismael Quintana, La Tipica Novel, the Big Band of Ray Barreto, among others. With this last group, he would perform again in the 1980s and work about five and a half years.

In parallel, he continued to work as a musician for other singers and orchestras, such as Willie Colón on timbales and bongo. At the same time, it is he who replaced one of the most important members of La Típica 73. But his career does not end there, as he also worked with Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Luis Perico Ortiz and many others.

With such a track record, it is not common for him to be so sucessful and for each of his projects to enchant the audience, no matter what time. Today, he has returned to back into the limelight with his most recent phonogram entitled A Mis Mentores…To My Mentors. Timbalero, conguero and bongocero has made these unreleased tracks available to his fans on all music-related digital platforms and are the following:

Si Hecho Palante / La Libertad

Algún Lugar Bajo El Sol

De Qué

Adoración

Alma Con alma

Sin Timbal

Recordando A Barreto

Qué Bonita Es Mi Tierra

Ahora Si Voy A Gozar

(Bolero Medley) La Noche De Anoche / Cada Vez / Sé que volverás

Jimmy´s Descarga

Jimmy being interviewd by Johnny Cruz and El Rubio

Life and work of Johnny Rodriguez

A particularity of Johnny Rodriguez is that he was one of the first artists to create musical trios, which was completely new in the 1930s. That has not stopped him from achieving success with his partners, being the lead voice of the group Johnny Rodríguez Y Su Trío. One of the singles that made him better known was Fichas Negras, which is still remembered by many despite the years that have elapsed since its release.

Johnny traveled throughout Hispanic America and much of Europe to offer his talent to as many fans as possible. One of the countries where he was most successful was Puerto Rico, where he performed constantly on stage and even worked with TV shows on a recurring basis.

In his last years, he hosted a radio show in which he provided advice to young artists who were starting out in the artistic world and talked about his own musical tastes, showing that he believed that past ages were better in that respect. Even after his death many years ago, his legacy is still present in the old and new generations due to the great talent that always characterized him.

Johnny Rodríguez, Manuel Jiménez, Lalo Martínez, and Celso Vega in New York in 1943

Vicente “Little Johnny” Rivero Conguero, Percussionist, Producer, Composer and Band Leader

“Tell me your name in leather, Little Johnny, Little Johnny” Hard Strike.

Conguero, percussionist, producer, composer, and conductor, Little Johnny Rivero has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific.

Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Rivero was attracted to Latin jazz and the sounds and rhythms of the New York area rumberos as a child.

At age 10, Johnny began practicing percussion and joined his school band.

Conguero, percussionist, producer, composer and bandleader, Little Johnny Rivero has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. — “Tell me your name in leather, Little Johnny, Little Johnny.”

Shortly thereafter, he took dance lessons, which eventually led him to stage performances with the bands of the time at such famous venues as the Manhattan Center, Colgate Garden, Copacabana, and the Palladium.

At age 14, Rivero joined Orquesta Colón, the youngest Latin band in New York City, and recorded two albums with them.

Shortly thereafter, he took dance classes, which eventually led him to perform on stage with the bands of the time in such famous venues as the Manhattan Center, Colgate Garden, Copacabana, and the Palladium.

In 1973, Rivero moved to Puerto Rico with his parents and joined Sonora Ponceña in 1974.

After playing bongos with them for a year and a half, he switched to congas, which rekindled the love he had for the instrument as a child.

Rivero attributes the rhythms and professional direction he learned from Quique Lucca and his son, Papo Lucca, as qualities that have made him what he is today.

During the 16 years that Rivero played with La Sonora Ponceña, he traveled all over the world and made 18 highly respected albums with them.

Rivero has recorded with producers such as Eddie Palmieri, Brian Lynch, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

In May 1997, Rivero shared the stage with his inspiration and idol, José Mangual. Rivero’s credits also include work with Charlie Palmieri, Dave Valentín, Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montanez, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Barretto, Patato Valdez, Changito, Tata Guines, John Santos, Sergio George, Bebo Valdes, Paquito D’Rivera, Tito Puente, and many other artists.

Rivero’s first solo effort, “Pasos Gigantes,” was well-received by critics and music fans.

He wrote and produced all the songs on that CD, showing off his skills as an arranger and musician.

He is currently working on his next CD, “Music in Me”, his first Latin Jazz album, which will include musicians, Brian Lynch on trumpet, Zaccai Curtis on piano and keyboards, Luques Curtis on bass, Louis Founche on saxophone, Andrei Matorin on violin, Ludwig Alfonso on drums, and Anthony Carrillo on bongo and bata drums.

Currently, Rivero is traveling internationally with Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri.

He also continues to record in-studio sessions and perform with many of the most respected acts in Latin music, including his own band.

Percussionist Johnny Rivero presents the album "Golpe Duro", with his band El Cartel de Nueva York. — Percussionist Johnny Rivero presents the album “Golpe Duro”, with his band El Cartel de Nueva York.

Legendary conguero, percussionist, producer, composer and bandleader Little Johnny Rivero is proud to present his latest album, Golpe Duro, with Anthony Almonte.

From New York and after moving to Puerto Rico, he spent sixteen years with the Sonora Ponceña band and recorded eighteen highly respected albums.

He has played with many of the biggest and most respected names in Latin music, including nine-time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri.

During that same time, Little Johnny formed his salsa band and his Latin jazz band and continued to teach percussion at Kennedy High School in the Bronx, NY. It was there that Anthony Almonte, a high school student at the time, would become one of his music students.

Little Johnny has always had a passion for writing music and over the course of four years since his last album, he was inspired to write once again. He set out to create a danceable album that would highlight the roots of Son Montuno, Guaracha Mambo, and Latin jazz.

The only thing missing was a singer. In a rehearsal, his friend and colleague Jeffery Lopez mentioned that there was a talented “new guy” on the block. He came down, and here he was, Anthony Almonte from Kennedy HS. As they say “the rest is history” and the result of their collaboration is Little Johnny’s latest album, Golpe Duro.

Website: Little Johnny Rivero

Article of Interest: Eddie Palmieri: A Memorable Career