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Search Results for: Tito Rodríguez

“Mambo Night in Miami Beach” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of “El Inolvidable”, our own Tito Rodriguez

 

De izquierda a derecha, Tito Puente, Jr., Mario Grillo, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: sobejazzfestival.com
De izquierda a derecha, Tito Puente, Jr., Mario Grillo, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

The initial idea of bringing together the three great orchestras of the Palladium in this innovative “three-in-one” orchestra concept came to Mario Grillo more than two decades ago.

As early as March 3, 2022, the mambo heirs celebrated the coming of age of The Big Three Palladium Orchestra in New York. Twenty-one years after the establishment of this remarkable big band, the concert entitled Palladium in the New Millennium took place in a packed Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.

The first presentation of 2023 of the “three-in-one” big band and coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of “El Inolvidable”, Tito Rodriguez, the South Beach Jazz Festival’s line-up opened its musical offerings on Saturday, January 7, 2023 with the concert entitled Mambo Night in Miami Beach. At around 8:00 p.m. The Big Three Palladium Orchestra took over the Miami Beach Band Shell when Mario Grillo, known in the music scene as Machito, Jr. kicked off the musical feast that awaited us, to the sound of Cuban Fantasy.

Foto:  Miami Bandshell broadcast
Foto:  Miami Bandshell broadcast

As you can see, each of the “big three of the Palladium” and owners of the mambo in its golden age inherited a timbalero son. These three bandleaders have made it their mission to keep the Palladium legacy alive and well.  Although the mambo heirs have transcended the label of being the sons of the mambo owners, they do not forget that the Patriarchs are still a topic of conversation in musical circles around the world.

For the concert at the Miami Beach Band Shell, The Big Three Palladium Orchestra was joined by the veteran musicians: Carmen Laboy on baritone saxophone and musical direction; Jose Heredia on tenor saxophone, Mark Friedman on alto saxophone and flute, Julio Andrade on alto saxophone; Larry Moses, Seneca Black, Dante Vargas and Julio Diaz on trumpets; William Rodriguez on piano, Jerry Madera on bass, Daniel Peña on bongo and Diego Camacho on tumbadoras.  On the vocal front, Sammy González, Jr. was backed by the coros of Starlyn Benítez and Tatan Betancurt.

Carmen Laboy en el saxofón barítono y la dirección musical de The Big Three Palladium Orchestra Foto: Ethan Dangerwing of Masterwing Creative Agency
Carmen Laboy en el saxofón barítono y la dirección musical de The Big Three Palladium Orchestra Foto: Ethan Dangerwing of Masterwing Creative Agency

The upscale repertoire vibrated and rumbled at the Miami Beach Band Shell, an elegant venue steps from the beach, which was filled to capacity.

Mario GrilloFoto: sobejazzfestival.com
Mario Grillo Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

Mario Grillo’s highlights were: Cuban Fantasy, Oye la rumba (La rumba), Ahora sí, Piñero tenía razón (Piñero was right), Babarabatiri (Babarabatiri) and Rumbantela (Rumbantela). On the other hand, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. performed the following songs: El que se fue, Cheveré, Yambú, Avísale a mi contrario, Agua de Belén and Fagot’s world. In the performance of Avísale a mi contrario, the conga of Diego Camacho and the bongo of Daniel Peña, who “quinteando a lo bravo” and adjusting to the tuning of the timbal in charge of Rodríguez, Jr. opened the way for the winds. And the winds entered through the wide door to increase the tempo of the night, which was already heating up to the sound of mambo.

Tito Rodríguez, Jr.Foto: Migdalia Sánchez
Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: Migdalia Sánchez

When it was Tito Puente, Jr.’s turn to play the timbal, he affirmed that Tito Puente was the pioneer in having a woman in the vocal front of an orchestra.

Then, preparing to close the first segment of the concert, he introduced Puerto Rican businesswoman and singer Melina Almodóvar, whom he backed for the performance of Mi socio.

Tito Puente, Jr. y Melina AlmodóvarFoto: sobejazzfestival.com
Tito Puente, Jr. y Melina Almodóvar Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

The grand finale of the event placed the three timbaleros heirs of mambo in front of the orchestra to delight us with a masterful performance in sync with the rhythmic base that Diego Camacho and Daniel Peña did not hesitate to maintain.

Last year such a show was promised in which the heirs of mambo honor the legacy of their fathers on Puerto Rican soil.  The show was to be entitled “Palladium in the new millennium” and was to be presented on Father’s Day at the Symphonic Hall of the Fine Arts Center in Santurce. However, it was cancelled.

I often say that the past is the past and the future is uncertain, so let’s hurry and wait for The Big Three Palladium Orchestra to perform in Puerto Rico.

I for one continue to live in salsa, which is still magic, fantasy and illusion.

Bella Martínez Writer, researcher of Afro-Caribbean music

You can read: Mike Arroyo the guitarist Using Jazz to praise God

Bella Martínez Writer, researcher of Afro-Caribbean music and author of Un conguero para la historia, Las memorias de Jimmie Morales.

787-424-8868

Tito Rodríguez, Jr. “The Palladium legacy lives on”

Timbalero, Arranger, Composer, Producer and Band Director, Tito Rodriguez, Jr. is one of the most important timbaleros of Salsa and Tropical Music as well as being one of the heirs of the mambo.

I had previously listened to, analyzed and shared my impressions about Transición (2017), by Tito Rodríguez, Jr. In conversation with Tito himself, he confirmed that Transición is his fourth album and the first to carry a Spanish-language title.  We are doing well, Tito.  This album was preceded by:

Curious?

Un clásico de 1978, originalmente en el sello TR de su padre. Con Sal Cuevas, Cachete, Ruben Figueroa, Gilberto Colon, un joven José Alberto El Canario en la voz - y una sección de coro con Adalberto Santiago y Ruben Blades. Vaya. ¿Curioso? ha sido una de las reediciones más solicitadas de la línea TR y los arreglos y el groove demuestran claramente por qué
Curious? (1975), featuring Adalberto Santiago, José Alberto “El Canario” and Rubén Blades.

Eclipse (1994) y

A classic! In the summer of '94, the Eclipse cuts and the infectious Erotic Woman.
A classic! In the summer of ’94, the Eclipse cuts and the infectious Erotic Woman.

The Big Three Palladium Orchestra live at the Blue Note (2004).

“The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra already may rank as the most brilliant large Latin jazz ensemble this side of Havana.”
“The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra already may rank as the most brilliant large Latin jazz ensemble this side of Havana.”

The idea of bringing together the three great orchestras of the Palladium was Machito, Jr.’s, whom I will be approaching soon.

Promise is a promise, so here I am to elaborate a bit on what I left out of the previous report.

Why the title Transition?

For much of his productive life, Tito has held a conventional job so music has been his part-time love.  Well, we should clarify what this so-called “part-time” has meant for Tito because even part-time, from 1994 to 1999 his orchestra was performing once a month at the world famous Copacabana in New York City.  On the other hand, The Big Three Palladium Orchestra live at the Blue Note secured him a promotional tour – through Brian Theobald of BPR Music – that lasted a whopping eleven years.

Well, now it looks like Tito is getting ready to hit the stages that have been waiting for him so long.  So get ready, what is coming is not from friends.  I wonder if the title track Volver had something to do with Tito’s dream of surrendering to his first love: music.

Tito has been consistent in following the musical line of his progenitor’s orchestra although he has managed to modernize the baseline, adding his own forceful stamp.  That is why the musical line of Tito Rodriguez, Jr.’s big orchestra is more modern without straying from the classical foundation.

Reading several articles, I stumbled upon one by Robin Denselow published in 2010 for the international newspaper The Guardian.  My chest swells with Puerto Rican pride when I review the legacy left by the “Mambo Kings”: Machito, Puente and Rodriguez, those 3 bandleaders who transformed the American music scene.  The Palladium located on Broadway and West 53rd Street no longer offers mambo, chacha or rumba but the musical legacy of the mambo kings remains more alive than ever.  According to Denselow, when that Palladium Orchestra took the stage with a brass section it was Tito Rodriguez, Jr. who first led that historic reunion.  According to the British view Rodriguez, Jr. lovingly revived his father’s compositions while showing off his percussion skills.

This was just the hors d’oeuvre for when Larry Harlow arrived to raise the bar even higher.  Of course, having the luxury of having the pianist hero of not only the mambo kings but also the Fania All-Stars was no small feat for these virtuous offspring.  Perhaps they are the offspring of the most influential trio in Latin music.

Back to Borinquen:  In 2009 Tito Rodriguez, Jr. was in Puerto Rico fulfilling one of his musical dreams. With that dream in his suitcase, Tito, Jr. arrived behind his timbal to lead a very large orchestra.

Once on Puerto Rican soil, they joined that dream: Luis Nazario “Güiriche” on conga, Paquito Corselles on bass, Luisito Marín on piano, Pablo “El Indio” Rosario on bongo; Emilio Reales, Darío Morales, Simón Rivera and Edwin González on trumpets; Rafy Ruiz and Al Schnitzler on alto saxophone; Nelson Vega and Wilfredo de la Torre on tenor saxophone plus Angel “Chiqui” Vidal on baritone saxophone.

On vocals, Josué Rosado was backed by José Miranda and Juan Manuel Lebrón on backing vocals.

On that occasion, the orchestra performed in the Chucho Avellanet Show, at the gala of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, at the Yagüez Theater in Mayagüez with the special participation of Chucho Avellanet.

The show that closed the tour in Puerto Rico took place at the Science Park in Bayamón.  It is worth mentioning that Al Schnitzler and Emilio Reales were musicians in Tito Rodríguez’s orchestra in the 1960s.

Searching through the archives I think I fell for the performance of El Mulato Rumbero.

Although Tito, Jr. has not insisted on the label of being the son of the great vocalist Tito Rodriguez, it is not possible to escape the good shadow of being the son of a Puerto Rican glory who, almost fifty years after his death, is still a topic of conversation in musical circles.

WedSite: Tito Rodriguez, Jr.

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico es Salsero
Bella Martinez “The Irreverent Salsa Writer”.

WebSite: Bella Martinez

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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
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
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.

Johnny Rodriguez y George Delgado
Johnny Rodriguez y George Delgado

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.”

Johnny Rodriguez’ “Dream Team”
Johnny Rodriguez’ “Dream Team”

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

Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez was a master of the Baby Bass and was instrumental in its popularization within Latin music

Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez “Big Daddy” (1927-2002) was a renowned bassist and a key figure in Latin jazz and salsa. He was known for playing both the upright bass and electric bass.

Roberto Bobby Rodriguez was a master of Baby Bass and played a decisive role in its popularization within Latin music
Roberto Bobby Rodriguez was a master of Baby Bass and played a decisive role in its popularization within Latin music

He worked with legendary artists and bands such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, Tito Puente, and The Alegre All Stars. Born in Tampa, Florida, to Cuban parents, he is often associated with the Baby Bass, a type of electric upright bass.

The Baby Bass is a specific type of electric upright bass developed by the Ampeg company. It has a distinctive sound and is very popular in Latin music, especially salsa.

Many famous bassists in the genre, including Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez “Big Daddy,” are known for playing this instrument. With its deep, percussive tone, the Baby Bass helped define the sound of salsa music.

In summary, the connection between Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez and the Baby Bass is that the famous bassist, Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez “Big Daddy,” was a master of the instrument and was instrumental in its popularization within Latin music.

“Big Daddy’s” Career and Legacy.

The son of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents, Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez “Big Daddy” was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 2, 1927. His talent left a lasting mark on the performance of both the upright bass and the electric bass.

He began his career in New York at the age of 17 with Machito and His Afro-Cubans, where he replaced Julio Andino. He participated in recordings with Chico O’Farrill, Dizzy Gillespie, Cal Tjader, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaría, Joe Cuba, Eric Dolphy, the Alegre All Stars, and Tito Rodríguez. His most important and enduring collaboration, however, was with Tito Puente.

Rodríguez’s involvement with Puente’s band resulted in a catalog of countless tumbao basslines. He occasionally had the opportunity to lead the band with a solo, loaded with highly creative melodic improvisations.

On the 1990 album, Goza mi Timbal, the track “Ode to Cachao” features a large number of Bobby Rodríguez’s solos. In addition to being a tribute to Israel López, this track is a showcase of “Big Daddy’s” immense virtues and is considered one of the most unforgettable solos in Latin jazz. This partnership remained active from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Roberto Bobby Rodriguez Big Daddy was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 2, 1927
Roberto Bobby Rodriguez Big Daddy was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 2, 1927

The nickname “Dedo Gordo” (Fat Finger) was given to him for his way of playing the electric bass, with a thick sound—something that in American musical circles is called a “groove.” According to experts, his technique was meant to emulate the sound of the Ampeg Baby Bass.

One characteristic he was always recognized for was his unique ability to play the clave rhythm with his foot while performing on the bass. His musical experience always made him seem like a contributor with a jazzy style.

On July 29, 2002, after a life full of resounding successes and an impressive legacy, Bobby Rodríguez passed away in New York.

Ambiguities with the Name Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez.

The name “Bobby Rodríguez” has been used by several artists within the universe of Caribbean music.

One common source of confusion is the flutist, clarinetist, and saxophonist from Manhattan, Robert “Bobby” Rodríguez, who founded the group “La Compañía.” His date of birth has not been confirmed.

Another point of confusion is the common misconception that “Big Daddy” began his career with the Marcano Quartet. The truth is that the quartet featured Félix Manuel Rodríguez, who, in the early stages of his career at age 17, also went by the name “Bobby Rodríguez.” He would later adopt his famous stage name, Bobby Capó.

A third artistic namesake is Dr. Bobby Rodríguez, a trumpet player born in Los Angeles, California, who is also a teacher and author of the book, ABC’s of Brass Warm-Up. He has been nominated for a Grammy and has received awards as an educator.

Roberto Bobby Rodríguez Big Daddy (1927-2002)
Roberto Bobby Rodríguez Big Daddy (1927-2002)

The list of names similar to Roberto “Bobby” Rodríguez becomes much longer if you search for homonyms of his given name. For example, there is Roberto (Reimundo) Rodríguez, a trumpet player from Cienfuegos, Cuba. He co-founded the orchestra Los Jóvenes Estrellas de Cuba and became a member of the Fania All Stars. He also appears in the documentary Nuestra Cosa Latina. In 1982, he founded the group Los Rodríguez with his sons, Roberto Jr. and Willie.

His son, Roberto Rodríguez Jr., is another homonym we encounter in these musical paths.

Continuing with more homonyms, there’s the Cuban trumpet player Roberto Luis Rodríguez, who is the father of the currently famous trumpet player Roberto Juan Rodríguez, also Cuban, but who moved with his Jewish family to Miami at the age of nine. He has played with top artists such as Joe Jackson, Julio Iglesias, and Paul Simon.

 By: Diego Aranda (Audiokat)

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Los Mejores Salseros del Mundo

Also Read: Bobby Valentín, the King of the Bass in the Fania All-Stars Machine – The Mind of a Master

Tito Nieves’ concert “50 Años, La Historia” made it clear that ‘Salsa Lives

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Tito Nieves celebrated half a century of a successful musical career at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico (El Choliseo) with a massive concert titled “50 Años, La Historia,” part of his “Mi Último Tour” (My Last Tour) tour.

Tito Nieves smiles in front of a packed coliseum
Tito Nieves smiles in front of a packed coliseum

Music started powerfully around 9:00 p.m. with “Señora Ley” (Lady Law), followed by “Mañana es Domingo” (Tomorrow is Sunday). This led into a medley of songs Tito popularized before going solo: “El Pregonero” (The Town Crier), “El Piragüero” (The Shaved Ice Vendor), and “Panadero” (Baker), all penned by Ramón Rodríguez. In this first segment, the honoree was joined by Rodríguez and Norberto Vélez, setting the theme for the show, where Nieves was accompanied by various guests.

Tito Nieves bid good evening shortly before asking the audience to record the concert, asserting it would be the first and last time he would perform solo at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico for a historic concert that the singer declared was “sold out.”

The soloist demonstrated the evolution of his career, moving to the next stage of his journey, which included the songs “Quiero Perderme Contigo” (I Want to Get Lost with You) and “El Amor Más Bonito” (The Most Beautiful Love). Before starting “Perdido en la Oscuridad” (Lost in the Darkness), Tito stated that during one of the most difficult stages of his life, he asked José José for permission to record it. “Un Tipo Común” (An Ordinary Guy) preceded Tito’s spoken interlude, during which he requested “a big round of applause for Ismael Miranda ‘the eternal handsome boy,’ who is with us tonight.”

For the next segment, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Gerardo Rivas joined Tito Nieves for the song “Soy” (I Am). Gilberto explained that he and Tito Nieves have been musical brothers for over forty years, shortly before saying, “Tito and I are family,” a phrase that led into the performance of “La Familia” (The Family).

The next stage featured a medley of hits including “Sueño” (Dream) and “Lo Que Son Las Cosas” (What Things Are Like). From this same solo period, “Manías” (Obsessions) and “No Me Queda Más” (I Have Nothing Left) stood out. Tito Nieves’ voice was recorded on several of the few salsa lyrics in English. For the concert, Tito brought to life “I’ll Always Love You,” “Celebration,” and “I Like It Like That,” with which he later bid farewell.

Tito paused during the concert to dedicate the song “Gracias Madrecita” (Thanks, Little Mother) to his late mother, Victoria Nieves.

The next guest, Rey Ruiz, “the salsa heartthrob,” performed “Almohada” (Pillow) with Tito, then sang “Mi Media Mitad” (My Other Half) to a bolero rhythm before transitioning to the same song in its usual salsa tempo, which is how it became popular. The turn of also invited Carlos García brought him to the stage to sing “No Me Vuelvo a Enamorar” (I Won’t Fall in Love Again) as a duet with Tito.

Shortly after, Tito Nieves continued singing his most notable hits, including “Déjame Vivir” (Let Me Live) and “Tuyo” (Yours). When it was José Alberto “El Canario”‘s turn, he sang “Le Gusta Que La Vean” (She Likes to Be Seen) with Tito Nieves and “Baila Que Baila” (Dance, Dance) solo. For this particular performance, dancers and choreographers Flavia Tamara Livolsi and Tito Ortos Gutiérrez were in charge of the dance that connected with the guest’s music, who also performed his characteristic “flute” solo, without a flute.

The super orchestra accompanying El Pavarotti de la Salsa
The super orchestra accompanying El Pavarotti de la Salsa

For the song “Fabricando Fantasías” (Manufacturing Fantasies), Tito Nieves took the stage accompanied by 9 child choristers; both the singer and the choristers were dressed in white. Tito sang alongside a hologram of his deceased son, whose passing preceded the song’s release; for the concert, this led into “Un Amor Así” (A Love Like That) and “Soy Cantante” (I Am a Singer).

Continuing with the idea of being accompanied by his guests, Tito Nieves welcomed Tony Vega to the stage to perform their duet and give voice to “Tú Por Aquí, Yo Por Allá” (You Here, Me There), shortly before Tony performed “Aparentemente” (Apparently). Once Tony’s participation concluded, Tito returned to the stage dressed in blue to perform “Te Amo” (I Love You) and “Más Que Tu Amigo” (More Than Your Friend).

Tito Nieves y Daniela Darcourt
Tito Nieves y Daniela Darcourt

Immediately after, Tito Nieves commented: “In salsa, we’ve had Celia, La Lupe, Graciela, India…”, as he welcomed one of the new salsa promises: Daniela Darcourt. With her, he sang “Si Tú Te Atreves” (If You Dare) shortly before suggesting his “musical daughter” perform the soloist’s new single, titled “La Sinvergüenza” (The Shameless Woman).

The concert’s peak was reached during the performance of “De Mí Enamórate” (Fall in Love with Me) and “Sonámbulo” (Sleepwalker), songs with which the artist demonstrated that the voice that earned him the title of “The Pavarotti of Salsa” remains intact.

Next, Tito and his wife—Janette Figueroa, the self-proclaimed “toxic one”—showcased their influencer skills, leading into a theatrical interlude of their interaction with the public during the COVID-19 lockdown: “Conversa con Tito” (Talk with Tito). For this, the couple was accompanied by the new talents Daniela Darcourt and Christian Alicea. Once the micro-theater segment concluded, the production celebrated the sold-out status by presenting a plaque indicating the exclusive status, after congratulatory greetings to Nieves from Víctor Manuelle, Rubén Blades, and Marco Antonio Solís were projected.

It was at this moment of various congratulations that it was demonstrated that ‘Salsa Lives’in the key of fierce salsa. For this, Christian Alicea joined Tito Nieves’ vocal and stage mastery, contributing with his voice and an energetic conga solo.

At 12:40 a.m. on May 18, the concert hosted by “The Pavarotti of Salsa,” accompanied by his super orchestra, concluded with the same power it began, though in English and to the beat of “I Like It Like That.” For the closing, the dance corps, made up of Tito Ortos, Tamara Livolsi, Christina Reyes, and Yadiel Carrasco, complemented the interpretive energy with which Humberto “Tito” Nieves once again demonstrated the connection he has maintained with the salsa audience, regardless of the language he sings in.

Bella Martinez Puerto Rico

Photographs By: Francisco J. Rivera Rosado Photographs

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.