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Search Results for: Puerto+Rico
Jay Ruiz, singer-songwriter, From the Sultana del Oeste, Mayagüez – Puerto Rico
North American / Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico
Jay Ruiz is the stage name of Jonathan Camacho Ruiz, a singer-songwriter born in La Sultana del Oeste, Mayagüez, but raised in the Pueblo de Rincón neighborhood, the westernmost municipality of La Isla Del Encanto.
Among his ancestors, Jay Ruiz, highlights his paternal grandfather Antonio Camacho who was a musician and troubadour, in his native Rincón.
Jay Ruiz’s musical beginnings date back to his short 5 years, when he sang in the choir of the Presbyterian church he attended. However, he would later become involved in sports, which would keep him away from music until he was 11 years old, when at the middle school where he was studying, the teacher promoted him as a soloist in a 24-member choir group.
He also stands out as a percussionist, performing skillfully on the bongo, the congas and the drums; instruments that he would learn to play by ear when he was 8 years old.
When he turned 12, the guitar and the bass would be the instruments that would captivate him and to which he would dedicate his time.
When he turned 15, he decided to form his own Christian music group: this is how the New Creation group was born, in which he developed as a drummer and singer.
A year later, while he was a member of the baseball team that represented Puerto Rico, he was about to be signed by the University of Cleveland, but in the process he was diagnosed with neck and throat cancer.
He traveled to Maryland to undergo exhaustive examinations at the John Hopkins Hospital, the same ones that would determine that he would undergo six months of chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy, treatments that he would receive at the San Jorge Children’s Hospital (Santurce, Puerto Rico).
Before the radiation treatment he was warned that he would lose 85% of his vocal abilities, however, the story was different: August 12, 2001, he would finish the treatment for his illness and five days later, for his birthday, he meets in his town -Rincón- to the entire community in a musical activity in which he would play, sing and give testimony of his case.
Thinking about his future, he studies at the Interamerican University, San Germán Campus, where he obtains a bachelor’s degree as a Physical Education teacher for children with disabilities.
The illness of his father, who lived in New York, forces him to cross the pond to take care of him, until his death, five years later.
In 2011 he returned to Puerto Rico, and enrolled in the Ponce Paramedical College at the Mayagüez Medical Center, to continue studying Physiotherapy, however, he became involved again in music participating in the famous franchise IDOL PUERTO RICO, ranking among the 32 last finalists. He continues his academic life and at the same time, works as a chef in a restaurant, a situation that would lead him to serve a musical entrepreneur based in New Jersey (United States) who was visiting the island, and with whom he would start a friendly relationship first, that would turn into work a few months later, when the businessman invited him for an audition in the neighboring municipality of Cabo Rojo.
After that meeting, in 2014, Jay Ruiz would pack his bags again to settle in Newark (New Jersey, USA) from where he would launch his career as a performer of the bachata genre, and that he would have on the songs “Ven A Mí , Girl” and “Culpables” two singles of wide diffusion and consideration in the international radio circuits, to the point of having disputed with the last mentioned cut, the category of Favorite Tropical Song of the Latin American Music Awards between great personalities of the music like Víctor Manuelle, Prince Royce and Gente de Zona (feat. Marc Anthony).
In 2017 he becomes independent, returns to Puerto Rico and decides to promote his career, but this time as a salsero, recording the single “Lo Sé”, of his own, under the production of maestro Nino Segarra.
Two years later, he brings us this new single, of which he is also the author, both of the lyrics and the melody.
The following staff participate in this single:
Lyrics, Melody & Interpretation: Jay Ruiz
Arrangement: Ceferino Caban
Complete Percussion: Rafael “Tito” de Gracia
Bass: Alexis Perez
Trumpets: Luis Aquino
Trombones: Jorge Dobal
Choirs: Norberto Vélez Curbelo, David Carrero & Ceferino Caban
Piano & Keyboards: Ceferino Caban
Mastering: Esteban Piñero
XXXIX National Zalsa Day March 19, 2023 Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico
Celebrates 150 years of history with a posthumous tribute to Tito Puente, Típica 73 and Ismael Miranda
National Zalsa Day 2023
This year the privilege of conducting the Super Orchestra of the National Zalsa Day 2023 is for Maestro Isidro Infante, March 19 at the Hiram Bithorn Park in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
For many years the most important salsa event in Puerto Rico and internationally. Thanks to Z-93 and the entire SBS family. Mr. Alarcón, Víctor Roque, El Cacique and all the executives involved in such an important event.
We will also have Buho Loco and El Hachero, among others.
The radio station Zeta93FM and its sister company, LaMusica.com, announce the thirty-ninth edition of the National Zalsa Day; an award-winning concert, which, on this occasion, will pay a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of one of the most recognized orchestras in the world, La Típica 73.
Known as the pioneers in performing the famous “Descargas musicales”, Adalberto Santiago, José Alberto “El Canario”, Tito Allen and Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez, have already confirmed their participation and we are proud that the members of this legendary band, which left such a deep mark on the salsa genre, have decided to join us in this celebration.
On April 20, 2023, the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary timbalero Tito Puente, his son.
Tito Puente Jr., along with great guest artists such as Orestes Vilato, Nicky Marrero, Endel Dueño, Frankie Figueroa, Frankie Morales, John “Dandy” Rodríguez and José Madera celebrarán playing on stage the greatest hits of the “King of Latin Music”, among which are: “Oye como va”, “Ran Kan Kan” and “Para los Rumberos”.
“Puente’s legacy of more than 50 years, known as ‘The King of the Timbal’, ‘The composer and musician of the eternal smile’ and ‘The godfather of Latin jazz and salsa’, will be exalted in front of more than 20,000 people at DNZ2023 and we are sure that all salseros will enjoy this presentation,” said announcer Marcos Rodríguez “El Cacique”.
In April 2000, the third Sunday of March was instituted as National Zalsa Day under Law #100 of the Senate of Puerto Rico.
History
National Zalsa Day was created in 1984 by Pedro Arroyo, Programming Director of Z-93, who always wanted to celebrate an event that would recognize the talent of popular salsa music, its composers and performers, to present it to the great public who love this tropical genre.
Since its first year, the great event took hold of an audience eager to enjoy this music live.
The support was total and it immediately positioned itself as the annual concert of the people of Puerto Rico and visitors from other countries.
From its beginnings, National Zalsa Day was dedicated to a figure of this genre, as a recognition of his talent and rootedness in the public.
1984 – Dedicated in life to Sonero Mayor, Ismael Rivera
1985 – Rafael Ithier of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
1986 – Tito Puente and Santitos Colón
1987 – Héctor Lavoe
1988 – Andy Montañez and Gilberto Santa Rosa
1989 – Celia Cruz and Sonora Ponceña
1990 – Willie Colón and Tite Curet Alonso
1991 – Bobby Valentín, Oscar D’León and composer Gloria González.
1992 – To the Best 5 trumpets of Puerto Rico: Elías Lopés, Charlie Sepúlveda, Juancito Torres, Mario Ortiz and Luis “Perico” Ortiz.
1993 – Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of National Zalsa Day, dedicated to the Salsa People
1994 – Ray Barreto and Adalberto Santiago
1995 – “Duels at sunset”.
1996 – Dedicated to the reunions: Conjunto Clásico, Tito Nieves, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Rafael De Jesús, El Gran Combo; Andy Montañez and
Roberto Rohena; Sonora Ponceña with Luigi Texidor and Yolanda Rivera.
1997 – To the salsa people
1998 – Jerry Masucci
1999 – Cheo Feliciano
2000 – Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
2001 – Eddie Palmieri
2002 – Ruben Blades
2003 – Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Rohena
2004 – Quique Lucca, Papo Lucca and Willie Rosario
2005 – Tommy Olivencia and Roberto Angleró
2006 – Los Hermanos Lebrón and posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, Tito Rodríguez and Ray Barretto
2007 – Ismael Miranda, Ramón Rodríguez, Raphy Leavitt and Sammy Marrero
2008 – Larry Harlow and Manny Oquendo
2009 – Celebration of the release of Tite Curet Alonso’s work on Puerto Rican radio. Dedicated to Louis Garcia.
2010 – Johnny Ortiz. Special recognition to Héctor Maisonave and Ángel Luis Córdova García “Paleco”.
2011 – Elvin Torres of Costa Brava, Luisito Ayala of Puerto Rican Power, Paquito Guzmán, Tito Allen and Luigi Texidor.
2012 – Posthumous tribute to Frankie Ruiz. Dedicated to Orquesta Zodiac and La Corporación Latina.
2013 – Posthumous tribute to Pedro Arroyo, former director of Z-93. Special recognition to Edwin Morales of La Mulenze, Pedro Brul, Pedro Conga of Orquesta Internacional and Cano Estremera.
2014 – El Gran Combo, Joe Rodríguez of La Terrífica, Justo Betancourt and Meñique.
2015 – Gilberto Santa Rosa receives the first National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Sammy “Rolo” González, Mickey Cora, Nacho Sanabria.
2016 – Eddie Palmieri receives the second National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Lalo Rodríguez and Tito Rojas.
2017 – Zeta 93 announced on the program of its director Néstor Galán, el Buho Loco, that the artists participating in the 34th edition of National Salsa Day are el Gran Combo, José Alberto el Canario, Andy Montañez, la India, Don Perignón y la Puertorriqueña, Grupo Niche, Víctor Manuelle, Luisito Carrión, Guillo Rivera, Camilo Azuquita, Raúl Marrero, Carlos D’ Castro, Juan Pablo Díaz, Orquesta DNZ2017 and Orquesta Canario.
2018 – Dedicated To The People Of Puerto Rico!
Domingo Quiñones, Maelo Ruiz, Chamaco Rivera, Pupy Cantor, Oscar de León, Orquesta Canela (Cali, Colombia), Tribute to Tito Nieves and Yolanda Rivera, La Orquesta del Día Nacional de La Salsa, Pete Pererignon y la Generación del Presente, El Maestro Sammy Velez with Nino Segarra, Héctor Tricoche y Simón Pérez, Víctor García y La Sonora San Juanera and Willie Otero y su Orquesta.
2019 – Los Reencuentros will be
Conjunto Clásico with Tito Nieves, Luis Perico Ortiz with Roberto Lugo, Orquesta Mulenze with Pedro Brull, Don Perignon y la Puertorriqueña with Víctor Manuelle, Frankie Vázquez, Pedro Bermúdez Big Band, Charlie Aponte, Pichie Pérez, Yolanda Rivera, Pedro Arroyo, Conjuno Chaney, Pirulo y la Tribu, Manolito Rodríguez.
2020 – Oscar D’ León, Eddie Palmieri, La India, Tito Rojas, Lalo Rodríguez, La Sonora Ponceña, Ray de la Paz, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Orq. Del Día Nacional (directed by Louis García).
2022 – The gathering was Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Víctor Manuelle, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentín, La Sonora Ponceña, Andy Montañez, Apollo Sound, La Mulenze, from Panama come to Puerto Rico the winners of the contest in which hundreds of salsa orchestras competed, Luis Lugo y La Orquesta 507, the women’s orchestra Son Divas, La Tribu de Abrante and Luis Vázquez,” said Marcos Rodríguez,
Sunday, March 19, 2023 – 9:00am
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
On stage:
– – José Alberto “El Canario”
– Adalberto Santiago
– Tito Allen & Johnny el Dandy Rodriguez
– Luis Figueroa
– Pirulo
– India
– Charlie Aponte
– Maelo Ruiz
– Yolanda Rivera
– Luigi Texidor
– Pichie Perez
– Isidoro Infante
– Alex D’ Castro
– Tributes to Tito Puente, Típica 73 and Ismael Miranda
Prices:
Early Bird : $10.00 + ivu & c.s (Limited quantities) SOLD OUT
Presale: $15.00 + ivu & c.s (Limited quantities) SOLD OUT
GENERAL – $20.00 + ivu & c.s
V.I.P. – $75.00 + ivu & c.s. (Includes numbered seat and preferred entrance)
PLATINUM – $225.00 + ivu & c.s. (Includes food, open bar, official t-shirt and preferential entrance)
Information and Tickets: 787-200-7110 or [email protected]
Ticket office open from 2 hours before the start of the event.
XXXIX National Zalsa Day March 19, 2023 Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico
Celebrates 150 years of history with a posthumous tribute to Tito Puente, Típica 73 and Ismael Miranda
National Zalsa Day 2023
This year the privilege of conducting the Super Orchestra of the National Zalsa Day 2023 is for Maestro Isidro Infante, March 19 at the Hiram Bithorn Park in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
For many years the most important salsa event in Puerto Rico and internationally. Thanks to Z-93 and the entire SBS family. Mr. Alarcón, Víctor Roque, El Cacique and all the executives involved in such an important event.
We will also have Buho Loco and El Hachero, among others.
The radio station Zeta93FM and its sister company, LaMusica.com, announce the thirty-ninth edition of the National Zalsa Day; an award-winning concert, which, on this occasion, will pay a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of one of the most recognized orchestras in the world, La Típica 73.
Known as the pioneers in performing the famous “Descargas musicales”, Adalberto Santiago, José Alberto “El Canario”, Tito Allen and Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez, have already confirmed their participation and we are proud that the members of this legendary band, which left such a deep mark on the salsa genre, have decided to join us in this celebration.
On April 20, 2023, the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary timbalero Tito Puente, his son.
Tito Puente Jr., along with great guest artists such as Orestes Vilato, Nicky Marrero, Endel Dueño, Frankie Figueroa, Frankie Morales, John “Dandy” Rodríguez and José Madera celebrarán playing on stage the greatest hits of the “King of Latin Music”, among which are: “Oye como va”, “Ran Kan Kan” and “Para los Rumberos”.
“Puente’s legacy of more than 50 years, known as ‘The King of the Timbal’, ‘The composer and musician of the eternal smile’ and ‘The godfather of Latin jazz and salsa’, will be exalted in front of more than 20,000 people at DNZ2023 and we are sure that all salseros will enjoy this presentation,” said announcer Marcos Rodríguez “El Cacique”.
In April 2000, the third Sunday of March was instituted as National Zalsa Day under Law #100 of the Senate of Puerto Rico.
History
National Zalsa Day was created in 1984 by Pedro Arroyo, Programming Director of Z-93, who always wanted to celebrate an event that would recognize the talent of popular salsa music, its composers and performers, to present it to the great public who love this tropical genre.
Since its first year, the great event took hold of an audience eager to enjoy this music live.
The support was total and it immediately positioned itself as the annual concert of the people of Puerto Rico and visitors from other countries.
From its beginnings, National Zalsa Day was dedicated to a figure of this genre, as a recognition of his talent and rootedness in the public.
1984 – Dedicated in life to Sonero Mayor, Ismael Rivera
1985 – Rafael Ithier of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
1986 – Tito Puente and Santitos Colón
1987 – Héctor Lavoe
1988 – Andy Montañez and Gilberto Santa Rosa
1989 – Celia Cruz and Sonora Ponceña
1990 – Willie Colón and Tite Curet Alonso
1991 – Bobby Valentín, Oscar D’León and composer Gloria González.
1992 – To the Best 5 trumpets of Puerto Rico: Elías Lopés, Charlie Sepúlveda, Juancito Torres, Mario Ortiz and Luis “Perico” Ortiz.
1993 – Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of National Zalsa Day, dedicated to the Salsa People
1994 – Ray Barreto and Adalberto Santiago
1995 – “Duels at sunset”.
1996 – Dedicated to the reunions: Conjunto Clásico, Tito Nieves, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Rafael De Jesús, El Gran Combo; Andy Montañez and
Roberto Rohena; Sonora Ponceña with Luigi Texidor and Yolanda Rivera.
1997 – To the salsa people
1998 – Jerry Masucci
1999 – Cheo Feliciano
2000 – Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
2001 – Eddie Palmieri
2002 – Ruben Blades
2003 – Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Rohena
2004 – Quique Lucca, Papo Lucca and Willie Rosario
2005 – Tommy Olivencia and Roberto Angleró
2006 – Los Hermanos Lebrón and posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, Tito Rodríguez and Ray Barretto
2007 – Ismael Miranda, Ramón Rodríguez, Raphy Leavitt and Sammy Marrero
2008 – Larry Harlow and Manny Oquendo
2009 – Celebration of the release of Tite Curet Alonso’s work on Puerto Rican radio. Dedicated to Louis Garcia.
2010 – Johnny Ortiz. Special recognition to Héctor Maisonave and Ángel Luis Córdova García “Paleco”.
2011 – Elvin Torres of Costa Brava, Luisito Ayala of Puerto Rican Power, Paquito Guzmán, Tito Allen and Luigi Texidor.
2012 – Posthumous tribute to Frankie Ruiz. Dedicated to Orquesta Zodiac and La Corporación Latina.
2013 – Posthumous tribute to Pedro Arroyo, former director of Z-93. Special recognition to Edwin Morales of La Mulenze, Pedro Brul, Pedro Conga of Orquesta Internacional and Cano Estremera.
2014 – El Gran Combo, Joe Rodríguez of La Terrífica, Justo Betancourt and Meñique.
2015 – Gilberto Santa Rosa receives the first National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Sammy “Rolo” González, Mickey Cora, Nacho Sanabria.
2016 – Eddie Palmieri receives the second National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Lalo Rodríguez and Tito Rojas.
2017 – Zeta 93 announced on the program of its director Néstor Galán, el Buho Loco, that the artists participating in the 34th edition of National Salsa Day are el Gran Combo, José Alberto el Canario, Andy Montañez, la India, Don Perignón y la Puertorriqueña, Grupo Niche, Víctor Manuelle, Luisito Carrión, Guillo Rivera, Camilo Azuquita, Raúl Marrero, Carlos D’ Castro, Juan Pablo Díaz, Orquesta DNZ2017 and Orquesta Canario.
2018 – Dedicated To The People Of Puerto Rico!
Domingo Quiñones, Maelo Ruiz, Chamaco Rivera, Pupy Cantor, Oscar de León, Orquesta Canela (Cali, Colombia), Tribute to Tito Nieves and Yolanda Rivera, La Orquesta del Día Nacional de La Salsa, Pete Pererignon y la Generación del Presente, El Maestro Sammy Velez with Nino Segarra, Héctor Tricoche y Simón Pérez, Víctor García y La Sonora San Juanera and Willie Otero y su Orquesta.
2019 – Los Reencuentros will be
Conjunto Clásico with Tito Nieves, Luis Perico Ortiz with Roberto Lugo, Orquesta Mulenze with Pedro Brull, Don Perignon y la Puertorriqueña with Víctor Manuelle, Frankie Vázquez, Pedro Bermúdez Big Band, Charlie Aponte, Pichie Pérez, Yolanda Rivera, Pedro Arroyo, Conjuno Chaney, Pirulo y la Tribu, Manolito Rodríguez.
2020 – Oscar D’ León, Eddie Palmieri, La India, Tito Rojas, Lalo Rodríguez, La Sonora Ponceña, Ray de la Paz, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Orq. Del Día Nacional (directed by Louis García).
2022 – The gathering was Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Víctor Manuelle, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentín, La Sonora Ponceña, Andy Montañez, Apollo Sound, La Mulenze, from Panama come to Puerto Rico the winners of the contest in which hundreds of salsa orchestras competed, Luis Lugo y La Orquesta 507, the women’s orchestra Son Divas, La Tribu de Abrante and Luis Vázquez,” said Marcos Rodríguez,
Sunday, March 19, 2023 – 9:00am
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
On stage:
– – José Alberto “El Canario”
– Adalberto Santiago
– Tito Allen & Johnny el Dandy Rodriguez
– Luis Figueroa
– Pirulo
– India
– Charlie Aponte
– Maelo Ruiz
– Yolanda Rivera
– Luigi Texidor
– Pichie Perez
– Isidoro Infante
– Alex D’ Castro
– Tributes to Tito Puente, Típica 73 and Ismael Miranda
Prices:
Early Bird : $10.00 + ivu & c.s (Limited quantities) SOLD OUT
Presale: $15.00 + ivu & c.s (Limited quantities) SOLD OUT
GENERAL – $20.00 + ivu & c.s
V.I.P. – $75.00 + ivu & c.s. (Includes numbered seat and preferred entrance)
PLATINUM – $225.00 + ivu & c.s. (Includes food, open bar, official t-shirt and preferential entrance)
Information and Tickets: 787-200-7110 or [email protected]
Ticket office open from 2 hours before the start of the event.
Christmas songs in salsa format from Puerto Rico to the world
International Salsa Magaine presents by Bella Martinez the Irreverent writer of La Salsa.
Julito Alvarado composes, arranges, produces, complements on backing vocals and plays his trumpet on the recently released Christmas single entitled La marquesina. For this, he invites Luisito Carrión and Prodigio Claudio to be part of the song conceptualized in a traditional septet format. Before looking at the credits, I thought I heard Henry Santiago in the chorus singing: “Tú pones la marquesina y te traigo lo que te gusta” (You put up the marquee and I’ll bring you what you like) between pregón and pregón. Indeed, I located his name in the credits.
In the first minute, Julito harmonizes with his characteristic trumpet solo. At the second minute, we are treated to the Puerto Rican cuatro solo by Prodigio, shortly after Luisito Carrión brings out his commercial announcer’s voice, announcing the solo.
In addition to the above mentioned, the musicians responsible for such sonority are: Jerry Rivas and Julito Alvarado, along with Henry Santiago on backing vocals; Efraín Hernández on bass; Pedro Bermúdez on piano; Omar Hernández on timbales and bongo set; Tommy Lee Ramos on tumbadoras and Neftalí Ortiz on güiro.
Melina Almodóvar brings us Estamos en Navidad, written by Luigi Flores, who also made the musical arrangement and played the piano.
The song starts in Melina’s voice, announcing that we are in Christmas and that a new year is coming. “Oh, what an emotion and blessing that we are in Christmas…” she announces the good wishes chanting, between soneos: “have a lot of prosperity and that your dreams come true”.
Before the first minute, Fabiola Muñoz Ortiz’s Puerto Rican cuatro takes center stage. During the second minute, the guest of honor adds Puerto Rican spice to the longest Christmas in the world with her Puerto Rican cuatro solo, after Melina gives way with a resounding: “Tell Fabiola, how Christmas is heard in Puerto Rico”.
Melina also sings about the coquito, the Christmas menu and everything else that might suggest a Puerto Rican Christmas in full swing. I love the positive message, whose lyric assures us that the best is yet to come. It is one of the few contemporary Christmas songs -if not the only one- in that line of positive and motivational inspiration, without being a religious or sacred lyric. Anyway, the Christmas salsa song is great. It is very tasty.
The musicians responsible for accompanying Melina on this recording are as follows: Alex Zapata on trombones, Daniel Silva on bass, Caliche Sabogal on all percussion, our beloved musical genius -Luis Aquino- on trumpets. Henry García, Melina Almodóvar and Ángel Vallenilla complement from the choirs.
Angel “Papote” Alvarado and his Grupo Esencia bring us the single entitled Yo vengo. The song takes off and “takes a trip” from the first bars, affirming with forcefulness between trombones and tambourines: “I come from a truly powerful race, very deep roots and unparalleled culture”. The pen and accordion of Ricky Martinez affirm in the voice of Papote: “My homeland is a jewel and in the world is unique, my people and my flag, are national treasure …” declaring patriotic pride and cultural responsibility, between soneos that embrace the chorus: “I come, I come, I come …”.
Motivating to move forward with the well known “pa’ lante boricua”, an honorable mention is given by saying a musical farewell to the late plenero Tito Matos, shortly before José Eduardo embellishes the theme with his Puerto Rican cuatro, so present during the Christmas season. This is the song that awakens Puerto Rican patriotism and motivates it to flourish.
Statements like: “how happy I feel with my flag held high” and “Puerto Rico my homeland, the queen of my loves, for its people and my people, the most beautiful of flowers” while listening to the brothers Toñito and Victor Vazquez guapear with their trombones; synchronize our hearts to the rhythm of patriotic pride that only the Puerto Rican Afro-Caribbean essence understands.
In keeping with the Puerto Rican concept of celebrating Christmas as early as September, as soon as the gentle breezes of our tropical Christmas season begin to be felt, Choco Orta released this Christmas classic. From the pen of our own Gloria Gonzalez, Choco Orta produced, directed and released this all-time hit.
It is worth mentioning that this song has already consolidated as a classic, originally popularized by the quartet Los Hispanos. In this way, Choco celebrates with Los Hispanos the 70th anniversary of the longest running quartet in existence, in addition to his 35 years of artistic career.
Choco Orta considers the Los Hispanos quartet “one of the great pearls and treasures of our Puerto Rican soil. Currently, the members of the Los Hispanos quartet are Wisón Torres, Tato Díaz, Rafy Torres and Nino Segara.
For the production of this single, Choco had the collaboration of Nino Segarra in the arrangement, musical direction and keyboards. Musicians of the stature of Julio Loyola on trumpets; Moisés Cancel on trombones; Hilton Mercado on baritone saxophone; Ceferino Cabán on piano; Alexis Pérez on bass; Manny Trinidad on cuatro and guitar and Javier Tito Álvarez on tumbadoras, bongo and timbales delivered such perfection.
The Orquesta del Rey de Puerto Rico brings us El lechón vacunao, from the pen of Miguel García. The composer manages to inject jocularity into the return of the Puerto Rican Christmas celebration with all the trappings of the law, after having been inhibited from celebrating Christmas in person because of COVID-19.
Néstor Ramos Zavala interprets the nice song. He is accompanied by: Michael Colón and David Irurita on trombones; Harel Orengo, José Claudio and Eduardo Alvelo on trumpets; Juan Ramos on bongo; Gary Rodríguez on tumbadoras; Javier González on timbal; Benjamín Vázquez on bass; Sebastián Alicea on piano; Israel Santana on Puerto Rican cuatro; Cándido Reyes on güiro; Millie Smith, Luis Martínez and Jorge Agosto on backing vocals; Ezequiel Colón is the voice of Don Seco.
By Bella Martinez, ISM Correspondents, San Juan, Puerto Rico