Search Results for: Soneros

Néstor Sánchez “Maestro de Soneros¨.

Born in 1950 in New York, of Puerto Rican origin, he is considered by critics as one of the soneros with the best vocal technique.

Néstor Sánchez “El Albino Divino”.

In 1968 he began his musical career at the age of 19 in New York with the orchestra of Ray Rodriguez, Ray was the brother of the late Bobby Rodriguez, the recording was entitled “Introducing Ray Rodriguez and his Orchestra”, he was also with the Tonny Pabon Orchestra, and the Conjunto Candela.

1976 Nestor Sanchez joined the orchestra of the wonderful Jew, Larry Harlow, replacing Junior Gonzalez as lead vocalist and became a member of the Fania label stars, at that time,

Harlow was recording the album “La Raza Latina” for which Sanchez performed one song and the rest was in charge of the Panamanian Ruben Blades where he musically created the history of Nuestra Raza, from the Amerindians, the Spanish conquest, and the arrival of the black African slave.

The album, “El Albino Divino”, was one of his official presentations with the orchestra, with the Harlow Orchestra he spent almost ten years and recorded seven albums, among these: Rumbambola, Dulce aroma del éxito, Soy Latino.

1979 Harlow disbanded his orchestra, Sanchez also recorded with Tito Puente’s orchestra the song “Bonito y Sabroso” in the LP “Homenaje a Beny Moré” which won a Grammy award for Puente.

In 1984 he recorded the production Julio Castro y La Masacre, in 1990 he was released as a soloist in the romantic wave with the album Como Nunca.

In the year 2000 he was invited by the King of Bass Mr. Bobby Valentin to participate in the album La Gran Reunión, and in all the recordings where he participated as the first voice in the chorus.

This talented man, whom we consider one of the most outstanding voices in our music, and sonero of soneros, never had the recognition he truly deserved. As a tribute and vindication, the February 2017 Salsero of our page is dedicated to him in a heartfelt and sincere way.

As a singer, Néstor Sánchez loved Cuban music and considered himself an admirer of Abelardo Barroso, Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuni, and from La Isla del Encanto his favorites were Tito Rodríguez and Ismael Rivera, in whom he was most likely inspired to create his own style.

His musical career began at the age of 19 in New York in 1968 with Ray Rodríguez’s orchestra. His first recording was the same year and was entitled Introducing Ray Rodriguez and his Orchestra; the second, in 1969 and with this same orchestra, was called Delusion, these two musical works were made for Al Santiago’s label “Alegre Records”.

In 1970, Néstor Sánchez joined Tony Pabón’s orchestra with which he recorded six albums in LP format, these musical productions are: in 1970, Tony Pabon And His All-Stars and La Protesta With Tony Pabón: Free; in 1972, On The Right Track; in 1973, Introducing Néstor Sánchez; in 1974, Tony Pabón & La Protesta Featuring Néstor Sánchez – El Capitán; and in 1976, Tony Pabón Y La Nueva Protesta – Fango – Pura Salsa, Puro Disco.

After his time with La Protesta, El Albino Divino joined Conjunto Candela, with whom he produced an LP entitled Conjunto Candela.

In 1976, he joined the orchestra of “El Judío Maravilloso” Larry Harlow as lead vocalist, replacing the Puerto Rican singer Junior González. With that, he became one of the stars of the Fania label. Between 1977 and 1984 he recorded the albums La Raza Latina – A Salsa Suite, El Albino Divino, Rumbambola; Larry Harlow & Junior González – Our Latin Feeling / Nuestro Sentimiento Latino; El dulce aroma del éxito; Larry Harlow, Canta: Gary Carrión / Así Soy Yo; Larry Harlow – Yo Soy Latino and Larry Harlow / Señor Salsa, featuring the young singer Ray Pérez.

Between 1968 and 1984, Néstor Sánchez was not only part of the orchestras of Ray Rodríguez, Tony Pabón, Conjunto Candela and Larry Harlow. He also recorded with King Nando, Orchestra Colon, Los Hermanos López, Yambú, Andy Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Charlie Palmieri, Ismael Rivera, Tito Puente, Willie Colón, El Conjunto Libre, Azuquita y Su Melao, Fania All Stars and Louie Ramírez.

Throughout the eighties, Néstor Sánchez’s career had a second stage, in which he participated in musical works as a singer and backing vocalist for other great stars of our musical firmament, such as Héctor Lavoe, Típica 73, Ray Barretto, Julio Castro y La Masacre, Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Oscar D’ León, Celia Cruz and Bobby Valentín.

It is presumed that in his more than three decades of music he participated in some two hundred musical works, about half of which are presented in our “Discography” section, available on our web page. Her voice was also recorded in many musical works of the so-called salsa romántica.

Among the songs that the beautiful voice of our great Albino Divino left us, we highlight numbers such as: “Amor pa’ qué”, “Averigua”, “Bobo tú te quedarás”, “Bonito y sabroso”, “Compay, póngase Duro”, “Con la mayor elegancia”, “El bobito”, “El diablo viene”, “Madre”, “Mentiroso”, “Quasimodo”, “Suena La Quija”, “Va llover”, “Guaguancó para los soneros” and “Vamos a gozar”. Our great sonero also recorded some songs in English.

Finally, we repeat that the present investigative work on the musical life of the great singer, chorister, arranger and composer Néstor Sánchez, “El Albino Divino”, is a tribute to his musical legacy with which the section “El salsero del mes” of our web page www.latinastereo.com wants to remember and keep all his work in force. Néstor Sánchez will remain forever in the hearts of the salseros of the world.

On September 2, 2003, Néstor Sánchez passed away at the age of 54 at his home in Bronx County, New York, after losing a battle with lung cancer.

Main source:

By: Sergio A. Rendón Ángel

To: www.latinastereo.com

Medellín, Colombia

Article of Interest: Raymundo “Ray” Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929

“El Sonero de la Sangre Nueva”

For International Salsa Magazine by the hand of www.SalsaGoogle.com is pleased to present again a singer of the new generation that is growing by leaps and bounds creating his own style and leaving footprints in the music industry in these new times of many difficulties that we all know and have learned to cope with hard work, we refer to Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes better known as “El Sonero de la Sangre Nueva”.

Undoubtedly, today, considered by legends and colleagues of the salsa genre, as one of the fastest-growing exponents, projecting and establishing his brand, steadily and worldwide; Winner of the 2019 Paoli Award, as Tropical Revelation of the Year, he is Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes.

Born on April 19, 1974, he had his childhood in a humble 20-foot square wooden house and graduated as an Electrician from the Vocational High School in his beloved Trujillo Alto in May 1992. He then graduated with a degree in Tele-Communication from Sacred Heart University in P.R. This 2020, “El Calvito” is scheduled to finish his Master of Science, with a major in Entertainment Business, at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. (Entertainment Business, Master of Science).

Today, the collaboration between emerging artists has made a change in the salsa world, worldwide. An extremely positive and general change, where radio broadcasters, DJs. have made their modifications, to be up to date, creating a much-needed balance in Salsa, which is still dominated by the classic.

However, the salsero listener also asks for songs to learn and make them his own. For that and more, we bring you this new collaboration.

A song for the listener, and with “swing” for the dancer. In short, daring.

Our friend, Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes & Lluvia y Sus Soneros

(One of the most emblematic and colorful salsa singers in Colombia) join forces to delight us with a fresh and daring song; a fusion of lilting rhythms, loved around the world;

La Cumbia and La Salsa, in the form of the song “Amor de Actualidad”.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD, written by the sensational composer Edgardo Irizarry, in conjunction with the Chilean, based in Medellin, Robert Requena, who also served as the arranger of this, joining the voices of these exponents of modern salsa and fusing the rhythms of Cumbia and Salsa, for this song.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD, is about a virtual love between two people who have never seen each other in person, but live their romance through social networks.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD unites two voices from different countries, two salseros with a high desire to succeed, and above all respect for the genre and its pioneers.

What’s left? Well, YOUR SUPPORT and DIFFUSION.

Let’s hope you like it.

For Contracting Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes:

CON CLASE RECORDS

Office: WhatsApp: +1-912-980-8476

E-mail: [email protected]

Bio: www.ElCalvitoReyes.com/Biografia

Follow him on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EDWINELCALVITOREYES  

For Booking Lluvia y Sus Soneros:

Office: WhatsApp: +57 312 2165743

E-mail: [email protected]

Follow her on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9QsgPGETMBW0BarPecY58w/featured

May God watch over you all, and may health be your best ally in these difficult times.

We literally admire your work and dedication to salsa.

Respectfully yours,

Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes & Lluvia y Sus Soneros

Note: Track has been sent in MP3 from the offices of Con Clase Entertainment. If anyone would like the track in WAV, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] and request it directly.

The most progressive arranger and innovator of New York Salsa in the 70s and 80s.

Music often requires characters who are always backstage and support with their talent the work of singers and performers, who are eventually the ones who “come forward” and assume the popularity. Sometimes, though, these anonymous characters shot to fame in order to be able to perform their own work and even become more popular than any fashion singer.

In the case of Pop, this character is named Quincy Jones, who was said to be the arranger for Frank Sinatra and the producer for Michael Jackson. A “nonentity”. In the case of Salsa, these characters have been symbolized by the emulator of Jones, a guy named Louie Ramirez who has done everything with everyone.

An afternoon in 1994, Ramirez was driving his car on the highway that took him to Variety Studios in New York. It was going to be a quick session because he only lacked one track to complete his 20th album as a bandleader. Perhaps this is why he was nervous and full of anxiety. Minutes later, he could not resist the feeling and had to stop the car. He had not finished doing it when a heart attack ended his life.

Introducing Louie Ramirez

Louie Ramirez was a genius. The one to whom all run for advice and solutions to their problems. It did not matter if they were young or old musicians. The fact was that Louie had the answer and visiting him was like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp. That was a characteristic that always accompanied him, from the first recording “Meet Louie Ramirez” in 1963.

He was 20 years old back then and had a good record with regard to composing some pachangas and arranging for the orchestras of Pete and Tito Rodriguez. Commentator Dick Sugar introduced him like this: Ramirez breaks through the image of a bandleader who uses the talents of other composers and becomes a follower of a rhythm. No, Louie Ramirez is a creator in his genre.

Louie Ramirez Ali Baba

That talent did not go unnoticed by the new Czar of Latin music in New York, Jerry Masucci, who hired him as a star of Fania Records and at the same time, as an arranger for the orchestras and ensembles that belonged to the record company. Ramirez was soon wrapped up in work and could only record two albums during the 1960s, “Good news” and “Alí Babá”.

The last album included the hit that allowed him to be a famous artist, El Títere, a true Salsa classic. The song was performed by Rudy Calzado, the third of the soneros Louie had used without finding the right one. It was a ballast that stayed with him as a director during the 1970s, when he used singers such as Pete Bonet, Tito Allen, Jimmy Sabater, “Azuquita” Rodríguez, Adalberto Santiago, and even Rubén Blades.

Louie Ramirez y Sus Amigos

It was precisely Blades that he made an anthological album with, “Louie Ramirez y sus amigos”, which included the song Paula C, with an arrangement of those that deserve to be admired. By then, Ramirez was already considered as the most progressive arranger of Salsa in New York, thanks to the brilliant works done for the Fania All Stars. An excellent work had been the instrumental arrangement for Juan Pachanga, to be performed by Blades, from Canta for a performance by Cheo Feliciano, and of the entire album “Algo nuevo” performed by Tito Rodriguez with Louie’s orchestra.

Noche Caliente

The peak of Ramírez’s career was in 1980 when Joni Figueras, a representative of the K-Tel International label, hired him to maka arrangements for the ballads Todo se derrumbó and Estar enamorado by Manuel Alejandro. The album, which included these and other songs, was released two years later under the title “Noche caliente” and was recorded by Louie’s orchestra.

Ballad-salsa or romantic salsa was born as a result of a work Ramírez did until his death, making occasional attempts in Latin Jazz, which he loved. That is why he recorded a tribute album to Cal Tjader in which Louie was the director, producer, composer and arranger. Apart from that, he played the timbales and his favorite instrument: the vibraphone.

Louie Ramirez was a genius of arrangements, in a career that included Guantanamera and Isadora for Celia Cruz, El Guiro de Macorina for Johnny Pacheco and El Caminante for Roberto Torres.

The Cesta All-Stars Vol. 1

Further to that, there are his works for La Alegre and the Cesta All-Stars. Regarding this Ramírez’s profile, critic Eleazar López defined it very well.

“It is not easy to arrange for a dance orchestra, especially when it is a group that cultivates the hot tropical genre. Many musicians feel influenced by Jazz and the result of their orchestrations leaves a vacuum in the dancer”.

Others arrange in a simple way, but it is so simple that they repeat and copy themselves, and the result is tired music, without any degree of creativity: music that says nothing, that leaves nothing. Louie Ramirez has found the perfect balance… that’s why he always stays relevant.

Article of Interest: Bobby Valentin, the King of Bass at the Fania All-Stars Machinery

#ISMPublicity

Noticias Con Sabor in the month of January

We leave this year with the loss of giants in the Latin Music who have joined the ancestors that include the recent loss of the legendary Mexican star Vicente Fernandez, Panamanian powerhouse sonero Meñique and Paquito Guzman who was known for both his boleros and Salsa tunes.  This year we have also lost legends and great musicians such as Johnny Pacheco, Roberto Roena, Chick Corea, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Alvarez, Johnny Ventura, Ralph Irrizary, Tommy Villariny and at the end of 2020, Tito Rojas.  We are lucky that these artists have left us with their legacies of music that will continue to entertain people for years to come.  Rest in Power!

Spanish Harlem Orchestra conquered Monterey with two explosive sets at a special show this past Saturday, Dec. 11th at the Monterey Conference Center. SHO played a few new tunes from their upcoming 2022 release, their repertoire of hits and Christmas salsa music much to the crowd’s delight. I had the pleasure of emceeing the show as well as playing music as the event’s DJ. SHO who were on fire all night and the dance floor was packed all night long. The crowd roared their approval with a standing ovation at the end of the night.  SHO responded with an infectious danceable Christmas song with a crowd sing-a-long which ended the festive evening. Thanks to producer Luis Mendoza and Montuno Productions for inviting me to be a part of this event. Thanks to the great crowd in Monterey who are salseros all the way!

During the COVID19 pandemic, it seemed that all live music stopped being played in public.  However, there were a few places, mostly outdoor cafes, farmer’s markets and restaurants with outdoor dining that offered live Latin Jazz during these dark times.  One of the unsung heroes who continued to play when the pandemic was at its height is veteran pianist-bandleader Gary Flores who formed Salsa Caliente in SF in 1976.  The group has had a lot of prominent musicians including vocalists Paquito Acosta and Angelo Pagan who continued to see their careers thrive in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles.  He disbanded Salsa Caliente in the late 90’s to concentrate on a smaller Latin Jazz group.  Flores along with ex Franco Brothers bassist/vocalist Carlitos Franco and a revolving lineup of all-star percussionists including Santana timbalero Karl Perazo and former Avance bongocero Oscar Soltero kept the live music going during the pandemic at different venues.  Flores was able to continue to play Latin Jazz and Salsa in stripped down format as a trio due to rearranging Salsa tunes as all the members sang coros and vocalized horn lines behind Franco,   Now that live music has made a comeback of sorts and some venues are now booking bigger bands, Flores is revitalizing a bigger version of Salsa Caliente featuring Franco and Perazo.  Flores has been writing new music and plans to record new music with the group.  His last recording “Descarga Caliente: A New Beginning” came out in 2005.  Gary Flores is a veteran and a survivor of the San Francisco Salsa Scene who deserves a big shout out for keeping Latin music alive in the age of COVID!  Pa’lante Gary!!

Reopening will be later

Some scenes are not reopening for 2022 until February or later.  One of those venues affected is Space 550 at 550 Barneveld St. in San Francisco who will reopen in February due to concerns regarding the current surge in COVID cases and the situation with the new variant of the disease.  I also spoke with Adrian Goddard of Jaffe Events who told me that he will continue to book events but later in the first quarter of 2022,  For some event producers, January isn’t a good month to book Latin Music.

However that’s not stopping Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra who will play their annual January dates at Yoshi’s, Jack London Square on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8th.  Get ready to enjoy and dance to swinging Mambo, Salsa and Latin Jazz from this awesome all-star 20 piece band led by pianist Christian Tumalan and trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. This SF based band is scheduled to play at Europe’s prestigious Tempo Latino Festival in late July. Tickets are now available for these upcoming January dates at Yoshi’s. For more information,  visit www.yoshis.com.

The Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery St. in SF is starting 2022 with a calendar of great acts coming to this fine venue where you can dine, dance and smoke a fine cigar if you choose to do so. The schedule includes Orquesta La Original w/Alexis Jan 7, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble Jan 8, The Latin Rhythm Boys Jan 14, Edgardo y Candela Jan 15, N’Rumba Jan 21, La Clave Del Blanco Jan 22, Julio Bravo Y Salsabor Jan 28 and Manteca Jan 29

The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to feature explosive music from the following acts in January on Saturday and Sunday including La Clave Del Blanco Jan 2, Gary Flores and Salsa Caliente featuring Karl Perazo of Santana Jan 8, Edgardo Cambon y Candela Jan 9, Carlos Xavier Salsa Band Jan. 15, Louie Romero and Mazacote Jan 16, Braulio Barrera and Somos El Son, Jan 22,  Orquesta Bembe featuring Christian Pepin on Jan. 23 and Rumbache on Jan. 29.  DJ Jose Ruiz from KPOO/KPFA Radio will also be behind the decks for your dancing pleasure. Check out their fine Italian cuisine and selection of beer and wine.

The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois in SF continues to offer Salsa under their all-weather tent during the month of January.  Their line up includes N’Rumba Jan 8, Louie Romero & Mazacote Jan. 15, Manny Martinez y La Rebeldia, Jan 22 and Orquesta Borinquen on January 29th. DJ Mendy is providing the music in-between sets and from 9 to 11 pm.  The music starts at 5 pm on Saturdays.

Cascal, 400 Castro in Mountain View will be featuring the explosive sounds of Edgardo Cambon and LaTiDo on Fridays, January 7th and 21st starting at 7:30 pm. There is no cover. Cascal continues to offer their tasty menu of Spanish cuisine, Tapas and fine drinks.

The following recordings kept me going during the second year of COVID19: Ruben Blades “Salswing”, El Gran Combo “En Cuarentena” and their Xmas cd “De Trulla Con El Combo”, Gilberto Santa Rosa’s all-star studded “Colegas”, Sonora Ponceña “Hegemonia Musical”, Mel Martinez “Asi Escribe Un Sonero”, Los Generales De La Salsa featuring Van Lester, a 1996 all-star session finally seeing the light of day, Tromboranga “Salsa Terapia”, Los Van Van “Mi Songo”, Various Artists “El Son De Caballero-Homenaje A Adalberto Alvarez and “Son Para Un Sonero”, Sounds Of Cuba “Los Titanes De La Timba”, Alexander Abreu/Havana d’Primera, Various Artists “En Barranquilla Me Quedo-Homenaje a Joe Arroyo, Dorance Lorza’s Sexteto Cafe “20 Aniversario”,  Luis Perico Ortiz “Sigo Entre Amigos”, Charlie Donato’s Son Ideal “De Vuelta Al Barrio, Eduardo Zayas Y Su EZ La Banda “Huerto De Soneros” and his latest “Sabor Y Sandunga”, Alain Perez, Issac Delgado & Orquesta Aragon “Cha Cha Cha: Homenaje A Lo Tradicional”  and Orquesta Failde “Joyas Ineditas”.  There are a flood of singles that did the job as well from Julito Alvarado’s maxi single “Lo Que No Se Escucha (Descarga De Soneros), Don Pergiñon Y La Puertorriqueña, Marc Anthony, Wilito Otero, Josean Rivera, Monsi Y Su Salsa , Mariana Y Su Makynaria, Julito Albino y Secreto De Voces and VibraSON.  These recordings are some of my picks for the Best of 2021.

And…if that wasn’t enough, my program Con Sabor, Saturday nights 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary year on January 1, 2022!  Time flies when you’re having fun!!  I’m also on “Sabiduria Con Tumbao” every Wednesday night 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

That’s it for this time.  Ciao 4 now!!

This is the report last month: Noticias con Sabor by Luis Medina

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

Then professionally with Tito Allen and Gunda Merced (Salsa Fever).

In 1977 he started with his father at the Caribe Hilton Hotel accompanying local and international figures.

In 1979 with Willie Rosario with whom he recorded 3 albums.  He directed the album Nuevo Horizontes which featured Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega.

In 1984 he started with Mario Ortiz y Su Orquesta with whom he recorded six albums.

Mario Ortiz Jr. studied at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music.

From 1991 – 1994 he traveled extensively with Juan Luis Guerra.

Mario Jr. has participated in recordings for Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Oscar de Leon, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Tommy Olivencia, Andy Montañez, and Willie Chirino among others.  He has accompanied artists such as Juan Gabriel, Raphael, Donna Summers, Gloria Estefan, Rocio Durcal, Julio Iglesias, José Luis Rodríguez, Frank Valli, Vic Damone, among other international artists.

His albums 45 Aniversario (2010), 50 Aniversario (2014), and 55 Aniversario (2019) have been nominated for a Latin Grammy.  For the past 23 years, he has worked in the public school system as a music teacher in Miami, Florida.

The late musician Mario Ortiz opened the doors of the artistic world to figures such as salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa. His contributions as musical director, instrumentalist, and arranger marked the careers of many artists, who did not hesitate to donate their talent for the making of the album Mario Ortiz All-Star Band, as a tribute to his 45 years of career.

Mario Ortiz, the son, summoned musicians and singers who shared with his father at a time when salsa was at its peak in the 1960s and 1970s.

The musician also managed to bring together Cheo Feliciano, Tony Vega, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, Richie Ray, Bobby Cruz, Roberto Roena, Andy Montañez, Elías Lopés and others in this record production.

“We recorded a tribute album, based on my father’s 1963 orchestra. Everyone told me that this group was ahead of its time. Some time ago, Gilberto gave me the LP On the Road (the orchestra’s first album), and that inspired me to make the record.

The first person I called was Elías Lopés and he told me to call everybody and that I would be surprised. And so it was because everyone was willing”, explained Mario Ortiz, son, in a press conference, attended by about twenty artists who recalled the times of the 60s and 70s.

The creator of the project said that the album contains 16 songs and an introduction featuring the original music of the All-Star Band, which became the first Puerto Rican orchestra to play at the Palladium in New York, where figures such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, and Frank “Machito” Grillo performed.

She mentioned that in the last track of the album, El Cid, she “played” the trumpet with her father thanks to technological advances.

Musical director Elías López and singers Gilberto Santa Rosa and Cheo Feliciano agreed that this production served as a pretext to recall anecdotes they lived together with the musician, who died on November 4, 1999.

“He was the only artist I have ever seen doing arrangements without piano and listening to other music on the other side. He had the virtue of concentrating and producing something well in advance,” said Elías Lopés.

“I had the joy of knowing Mario for a long time because he and Marito used to pick me up to go to school. I have always said that he is my dad in music…He told me to study because the music was a hobby, but when he realized my interest, he gave me that first opportunity,” commented El Caballero de la Salsa, adding that Mario Ortiz “was an outstanding musician and represents the heart of the career of many of us”.

Mario Ortiz All Star Band includes songs such as Chinita, with Gilberto Santa Rosa; Se acabó el bembé, with Ismael Miranda; Rumberito, with Bobby Cruz and Roberto Roena, and others.

Source: Primera Hora, Puerto Rico. By: Jaime Torres Torres

At the age of 64, trumpeter Mario Ortiz was a man brimming with health and life. Death took him by surprise on November 4, 1999.

Thus came down the curtain on one of the most brilliant careers in Puerto Rican salsa and jazz.

His wake was attended by practically all the musicians of the country to bid farewell to the virtuoso trumpet player, accomplished arranger, and experienced orchestra conductor.

His son Mario Jr. inherited part of his arrangements because the maestro was so generous that he gave his music to his friends and colleagues. To commemorate his memory on the 10th anniversary of his passing, Mario Jr. celebrates his father’s contribution to salsa and Latin jazz with the historic recording “Tribute”.

“I was able to transcribe the arrangements that I didn’t have and thus confirmed what the musicians at the wake were saying in terms of his music being ahead of its time. With the help of Lenny Prieto, Ernesto Sánchez, and Tito Rivera I was able to decipher what Papi did in terms of harmonics and rhythm,” said Mario Jr.

In “Tribute” Mario Jr. recorded without alterations the orchestrations and arrangements of “A quitarse”, “Yaré yaré”, “Chinita”, “Move”, “Se acabó el bembé”, “Mambo infierno”, “Güiro y pandereta”, “El soplo”, “Rumberito”, “Que bonito es Puerto Rico”, “Maina” and others.

“What I did to make them sound more harmonically updated was to extend the duration with more participation of the singers and with additional solos and moñas,” he explained.

Coining the name “All Star Band”, as his father’s group was known during the 1960s, Mario Jr. brought together a core of the most respected soneros and instrumentalists in salsa.

On “Tribute”, arguably the Afro-Antillean music album of the year, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Tony Vega, Chico Rivera, Pedro Brull, Tito Allen, Primi Cruz, Anthony Cruz, Ismaelito Rivera and Bobby Cruz joined their talents.

And, representing the musicians, he recruited as soloists Papo Lucca, Bobby Valentín, Richie Ray, Elías López, Roberto Roena, and others.

None of the artists were paid, out of respect for Mario’s memory and in reciprocation of their friendship.

“It’s incredible. Elías was the first one I told to do this. He was so happy that he suggested I call everyone who knew Mario. And Gilbertito quickly said yes because his first recording was with Papi.”

The presentation of “Tribute”, in honor of the forty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the All-Stars Band, was held yesterday at the Alquimia Bistro Restaurant in Condado.

The album, a Zamora Music Group production, will be distributed by Sony Music. The first single is titled “Chinita” and is performed by Gilberto Santa Rosa.

“Sony is interested in my project because Gilbertito interceded on my behalf. He wanted to release it with his label Camínalo, but he thought it would have more possibilities with a multinational”.

Source: https://www.radioelsalsero.com/2009/09/se-viene-la-mario-ortiz-all-stars-band.html

Articles of Interest: Celso Clemente Torres is considered one of the best sounding bongos in the world

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Correspondent