Dominican Sandy Carriello died of a heart attack

On the morning of the December 23, the news of the death of the Dominican artist Sandy Carriello, better known for being the other half of the iconic MerenHouse duo Sandy and Papo, was announced. The 48-year-old artist left this world due to a sudden heart attack, as confirmed by close friends of the singer; which was found at his residence in New York City.

Mariano Lantigua, one of those friends, reported that the documentation required to carry out the funeral was already being done. Many Dominican artists have given their words of condolences for this sad loss, which mourns music in the Dominican Republic and the rest of Latin America where Papo, Sandy’s great inseparable friend, has always been fondly remembered.

“I am on a plane and I have just received the sad news that Sandy, from the duo ´Sandy and Papo´ has just died. I’m very sorry, peace to your soul and conformity to the family ”. said the merenguero Jandy Ventura.

While Rufino Santos, a great friend of the family, confirmed the news through his social media: “Rest in peace dear friend Sandy Adalberto Carrillo Rojas (1972-2020) May God welcome you into his holy bosom. Now you can sing along with Papo from heaven.”

Many of these words of condolences have been accompanied by the iconic phrase “Pa que goces con Sandy y Papo” which was the iconic line that characterized the duo throughout their career, along with: now the two will fill heaven with a lot of merengue house.

The duo Sandy and Papo

Sandy was originally a rapper who performed at concerts, clubs, and even television shows alongside a rap and hip-hop group that he formed himself. It was in one of those presentations where he met Luis Deschamps better known as Papo.

It was not until 1989 that hip-hop and rap gained popularity in the Dominican Republic starting a great story, all thanks to Sandy who at that time used the name Sandy MC, along with the other members of the Boogie Down Rap group: Mariano MC, Careta, Mofeta, Chinito and Berman. In 1991 he had the opportunity to move to New York where he reunited with Papo, and they decided to try their luck together.

In 1992 they were discovered by Pavel de Jesús and Porfirio Piña who had called an audition to replace some members of the well-known groups Proyecto Uno and Clan De La Furia. That same year they participated in the remix of the song “La dueña del swing” performed by Los Hermanos Rosario. In 1995 they released their first album under the Pacha Records label and distributed by Antilla Records Distributors. This production brought them international fame, managing to position themselves in the top places on the radio in different countries such as: the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, the United States and even Canada, places where they also made different presentations.

This production led them to be the pioneers of urban music in the Dominican Republic and one of the foundations of this current genre. But everything changed in 1999 when Papo passed away due to a car accident in Santo Domingo. In 2000 Sandy released an album dedicated to his friend that became very famous. From then on, Sandy’s career remained solid, reaching several hits and working with many renowned artists who have always respected him. Rest in peace, Sandy!

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Master Armando Manzanero said goodbye to us due to covid-19 complications

The morning of December 28, Mexico and the rest of Latin America woke up to the sad news of the death of another of its great artists: Maestro Armando Manzanero. A few days ago it was announced that the singer-songwriter had tested positive for covid-19, the virus that has the world paralyzed and on edge, he was hospitalized on December 17 for complications associated with it.

Despite informing that Armando was improving at respiratory level after being intubated, it was reported that he would remain under observation for some kidney problems. This morning the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico, of which he was the president, announced his death due to a heart attack associated with his complications.

With his 86 years, the maestro always remained active, contributing a lot to the history of Latin music and his native Mexico. Nobody would have thought that we will not only say goodbye to 2020 but also to the great musician, his ashes will be delivered to his family during this Monday, which will be transferred to his born city Mérida, where at the beginning of the month he had inaugurated the Casa Manzanero museum where the best milestones of his career of more than 60 years are exhibited.

The incredible long career of Armando Manzanero

Armando Manzanero passed away at the age of 86, leaving a legacy of golden years on stage with his favorite instrument: the piano, demonstrating the great talent that exists in Latin America. In 1950 he composed what would be his first tune “Never in the world”, this was only the beginning of his great career.

There are more than 400 songs that the maestro composed, which are divided between those used for his own discography and those that many artists have had the honor of singing, among which we can name: Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Angélica María, Luis Fonsi, Belinda, Joan Sebastian, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, Roberto Carlos, Andrés Calamaro, Ana Torroja, Ana Gabriel, Daniela Romo, Laura Pausini, Cristian Castro, Alejandro Fernández, Lucero, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Montaner, Miguel Bosé, Rocío Dúrcal, Raphael, David Bisbal, Pedro Fernández, José José, Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernández and many more.

Not only did he participate in songwriting for albums and artists, but he also participated in the composition of many songs for movies and soap operas. Among all his great awards are several Grammys including the Award for Musical Excellence for his great contributions to music.

The Recording Academy posted on its Twitter account: “Armando Manzanero, recipient of the Award for Musical Excellence and winner of the Latin GRAMMY, as well as a great friend of the Academy, has left us. We celebrate his life and work. Irreparable loss for the world of Latin music. We accompany the Manzanero family in their deep pain.”

We must remember that the maestro was honored this year in many ways, the most memorable were those made at the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin Grammy, no one thought that they would be the last tributes in life for Mr. Manzanero. During this week more posthumous tributes, and many words from different Latin artists are expected.

Rest in peace Armando Manzanero, may heaven be filled with his romantic words and great tunes!

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The news was released on Sunday 13

On Sunday, December 13, Latin music mourned the death of the great pianist and music producer Sony Ovalles, who was a key piece of the merengue and music in his native Dominican Republic. It was known that the cause of death was a heart attack, many industry figures spoke about it:

“Dominican Music is still mourning, the teacher, producer, arranger, pianist Sony Ovalles has just died of a heart attack! Responsible for many hits of Wilfrido Vargas, Jhonny Ventura, Sergio Vargas, Monchy Capricho, Rubby Perez among other great orchestras and Dominican artists! My condolences to his family and friends! Another great musician who becomes part of the Celestial Orchestra! Rest in peace Sony Ovalles’ soul!”, expressed Alejandro Henríquez through his Instagram account.

Ovalles has left a very huge position to fill, since his contribution to Latin music is very great. There are many outstanding artists who owe many of their successes to this genius, whose favorite instrument was the piano. But his talent went beyond the black and white keys, his gift for producing, composing, and arranging the songs with which so many artists and groups became known, could be considered magic. Heaven is now celebrating to the rhythm of the Dominican Sony Ovalles!

Learn more about the great musician Sony Ovalles

His real name was Rafael Ovalles Amaro, but it was through Sony Ovalles that the industry knew him. He was born in Salcedo, part of the Hermanas Mirabal province, in the always beautiful Dominican Republic, back in the 40s, being the proud son of Carlos Ovalles and Nidia Amaro. His initiation in music did not occur until he was 14, under the tutelage of the great musician Cuto Estévez, who managed to see a future with music for Sony.

He was the pianist of choice of Wlfrido Vargas, Félix del Rosario, Runny Pérez, and many more artists, despite not being in front of the stage, his presence was very powerful alongside the other musicians in the orchestra. Apart from collaborating with solo artists, Sony also lent its talents to great groups such as Joseíto Mateo’s, Los Hermanos Rosario, Las Chicas del Can, along with many more.

In addition to collaborating with great artists, he formed different groups, such as the salsa group El Complot that had Mike Peguero as its interpreter, as well as an orchestra with Vicente Pacheco as singer. Despite standing out in the merengue, he put his touch to several salsa compositions, recorded a complete album with the salsero Michel, highlighting the song Esa mujer.

There were many hits where he collaborated but the following are some of the most important: Wilfrido Vargas’ Atrevida, 13 años and Bachata merengue; Sergio Vargas’ Noche, La tierra tembló and Por ella; Vicente Pacheco’s El atracador, The New York Band y Tus 20 años. But his repertoire was infinite, demonstrating once again the great talent that exists in the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean jewels.

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