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Richie Bonilla Management is a Latin Music booking and Managing Agency

Celebrating 60 years as a Personal Manager – Booking Agent and Promoter

This agency has been organizing events throughout the United States, Europe, South, and Central America. It has been organizing events for more than 50 years in Japan.

For a period of 50 years, Richie Bonilla has been a force that has contributed to the continuous growth of the Latin music industry. He has been directly responsible for the success of many of our biggest names in the Latin business.

In 1962 Richie Bonilla signed an unknown artist named Pete Rodriguez. As a result of his effort and contant dedication, Pete Rodriguez became the hottest recording artist of that time and one of the all-time drawing artists. He was crowned “King of Boogaloo”

Celebrating 60 years as a Personal Manager - Booking Agent and Promoter — Richie Bonilla Management is a Latin Music booking and Managing Agency

During the same period, Richie Bonilla signed another unknown artist, a young boy, 17 years old who had only one LP to his credit. Once again because of his persistence this young artist named Willie Colon is now a living legend.

The stories of his accomplishments are endless. Other Boogaloo/Salsa artists which had success under Richie’s guidance and management were Hector Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Ismael Rivera Mongito El Unico, Victor Aviles, Eddie Santiago, and Frankie Ruiz.

During the Boogaloo era in the early ’60s, Richie Bonilla management company was the main booking agency in New York City, He also managed the hottest artists of that period. They were Ralfi Pagan, Pete Rodriguez, Orq Flamboyant, TNT Boys, La Conspiracion, Orq Colon, Joey Pastrana, King Nando, Ralph Robles, Ray Jay, Lat-Teens, Willie Colon with Hector Lavoe, Johnny Zamot, Kako y Su Combo, Joe Acosta, The New Generation, Landy Nova, Sonora Borinquen, Latin Souls, including merengue bands like Primitivo Santos, Eddie Bastran, Dominica and Hugo Perez.

In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Bonilla Management controlled 90% of the music going to Panama for the carnivals and other national holidays. Other countries in which he was successful in developing prior to the Fania Era were Venezuela, Curacao, Aruba, Martinique, Guadalupe, St.Thomas, and St. Cruz.

When Richie Bonilla opened his booking agency in 1962, during that time very few orchestras were traveling out of the United States. He was one of the first promoters to bring salsa music to places such as Chicago, Ohio, Boston, Washington, Philly, Connecticut, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Larry Harlow "El Judio Maravilloso" y Richie Bonilla — Larry Harlow “El Judio Maravilloso” y Richie Bonilla

Richie Bonilla has always been available to anyone who needed help, advice, or encouragement. Vitin Aviles has always thanked him for giving him the confidence needed to go out as a soloist. Orchestra Broadway’s first trip to Venezuela was booked by Richie. Ralph Mercado’s first trip out of the country, to Curacao as an agent for Eddie Palmieri, was also booked by him.

Jelly Bean Benitez’s first DJ booking at a club was also done by Richie Bonilla. When Pete Rios, the original founder of Latin New York Magazine, only had visions of such a magazine, Richie Bonilla took him by the hand and introduced him to everyone in the industry, including Izzy Sanabria.

After the first Latin awards night was discontinued, Richie Bonilla sponsored a Latin awards night at the Cheetah Club in 1972 at his own expense, because he felt it was important to recognize our Latin artists and give them credit for their accomplishments.

Willie Sotelo, Richie Bonilla y Rafael Ithier

During the early and late 50’s the Bronx was the birthplace of the Salsa(Mambo). Most of the best musicians and future name artists resided in the Bronx and so did Richie Bonilla. He started promoting salsa dance parties in the apartments and finished basements. Then he graduated to ballroom dances such as Hunts Point Palace, Club Cubano Inter-Americano, Tropicana, Calgate Gardens, New Terrance Gardens, and Bronx Casino.

During the ’60s there were very few bands residing in Puerto Rico. Richie was the connection for the New York bands to travel to Puerto Rico. They would perform for all of the graduation dances, Fiestas Patronales, Secretary Day, and club dates all over the island. He was one of the first persons to promote Salsa music in Puerto Rico with two associates, Alby Diaz and Fernando Lopez.

During the exotic period of salsa music, He signed another unknown artist named Eddie Santiago and promoted him to stardom, managing his career for 3 years. During the same period, he also managed and booked Frankie Ruiz and Lalo Rodriguez.

Then in 1989 history was made again, Richie discovered Orquesta De La Luz, an all-Japanese Salsa orchestra residing in Toyko, Japan.

ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ -¡Salsaludos De La Luz! — In 1989, history was made again, Richie discovered the Orquesta De La Luz.

Some of his friends in the salsa industry had told him that he was wasting his time with this attraction and once again because of his dedication to commitment and devotion to Latin music, Orquesta De La Luz‘s success all over the world is well documented.

Because of Orquesta de La Luz popularity and his influence in creating a Japan Salsa Festival.

Japan has been a great market for our artists and record sales. Richie was directly responsible for the following artists performing in Japan: Marc Anthony, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Los Hermanos Moreno, Milly Jocelyn y Los Vecinos, The New York Band, Ernie Agosto y La Conspiracion, David Cedeno, Elemento 10, Joe Cuba, Carmen Jimenez, Stacey Lopez Dancers, Cubarama Afro-Cuban Jazz Band, Crissy I-cee, Alexa, and DLG.

In recent years Richie has been promoting legendary artists and orchestras such as Israel “Cachao” Lopez, The Machito Orq, and Cubarama Afro-Cuban Jazz Band (formally the Mario Bauzer Orq). His dedication of keeping the Old Big Band School alive is because having knowledge of strong musical roots will always maintain the growth of our Latin music.

To name some of the many awards that Richie has received for his love, dedication, and contribution to the Salsa Latin music industry are:” THE UNITED NATION PEACE MEDAL” for promoting Orquesta de La Luz , who drew all different kinds of nationalities under the same roof in concert halls all over the world. Also, Mayor Dinkins Proclamation contributed to improving Latin relationships in NEW YORK CITY.

President Clinton’s Commendations letter, keys to the City of Cartagena, and recipient of the “SALSAWEB’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” at their Second International Convention. Also “DR. SALVADOR F. SOLA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” in 2000, ALBERT TORRES WEST COAST CONGRESO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 200I and in 2002 he was also inducted into THE INTERNATION LATIN HALL OF FAME “SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD”

2006 New York Salsa Congress

Life Time Achievement Award

Received at the New York Hilton Hotel

2007 Received the Honor to be inducted as

One of the Musketeers in the French organization

“Compagnie Des Mousquetaires D’ Armanc”

during the “Temp Latino Festival” in

Vic Felesac, France

Richie Bonilla has always conducted himself with honor and integrity and has brought style and grace to our industry. He is quick to flash a warm smile and a strong handshake to his friends, associates, and clients.

Richie feels that no matter the problem Latins must hold their heads up high in order to see the right direction to pursue.

Contact: 917-699-4641

Article of Interest:
NORA SUZUKI 32 Years After Her Debut In Salsa

Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela Quality and Tuning in the Fania All-Star Machinery

International Salsa Magazine

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The place where salsa as we know it today was born

The role that the Cheetah Club played in the beginnings of salsa in New York

Young people's acceptance to salsa in New York — A group of young people dancing salsa in New York

As we all know, New York City has been instrumental in the birth of what is today known as salsa because this has been the place that has seen the birth and bloom of the greatest talents who have given life and added rhythm to this wonderful and fast-paced genre. That is why when we talk about the history of salsa, we cannot leave out the most populous metropolis in the United States.

We all know how important the city that never sleeps is to the development of this musical genre, but where and how does this set of rhythms specifically born? Right, well this was a now-defunct nightclub called Cheetah, which met all the conditions for giving birth to salsa and making it a cultural phenomenon, which is now known worldwide.

The establishment, located in an area full of theaters and nightclubs close to Times Square, witnessed a spectacular and historic evening in which, unexpectedly, brought together several of the biggest stars of Latin music, including Willie Colón, Ray Barreto, Bobby Valentín, among others. None of them could ever imagine that they would draw crowds eager to hear them. From that night on, the Latins finally had voices to make known to the rest of the planet their purest essence.

As soon as the band started playing, those present started to dance no matter what. According to calculations by a pianist for Fania All Stars, they gathered as many as two thousand attendees who were lined up around the block to enjoy the talent of some of the considered greatest exponents of Latin music. It should be noted that the artists from that night had never played together, but when they took the stage, everything went spontaneously and the audience fell madly in love with them. However, nothing was by chance.

A poster for the Cheetah Club at the time

How it all started

After the Second World War, Latin music and dance began to be present in New York City during the 20th century. This was due to the arrival of Cubans, Puerto Ricans and other immigrants from the southern part of Latin America, who brought with them a number of rhythms that started playing in discos and nightclubs from various US cities.

When these sounds arrived in the Big Apple, there was a very interesting mixture of these sounds with jazz and some instruments that were incorporated to have as a result what we know today as salsa. This is how some of the most popular genres began to be played and become famous in places near the Cheetah Club, so, as a logical consequence, the establishment would end up falling under the spell and rhythms of so cheerful melodies.

One of those places was the Palladium Ballroom, where artists such as Machito and Tito Puente performed. Of course, the public that gathered there was Latin in origin, but its privileged location in the heart of Manhattan made it very well known to the locals of any nationality. It got to the point where there were spectators from the five continents and of all religions, which was unthinkable with any other musical style.

This is how the great concert at the Cheetah Club succeeded in bringing Latin music to places nobody thought it could reach and all thanks to American artists with a Latin background that was very awake in their being.

Charlie and Eddi Palmieri at the Palladium Ballroom — Charlie and Eddi Palmieri performing at the Palladium Ballroom in 1964

How was the Cheetah club created and what became of its facilities?

The Cheetah club was created by Olivier Coquelin and Border Stevenson in 1968 when it was formally opened to the public. From the beginning, it had two spaces specially designed for dancing: a dance floor of reduced size located on the top floor and a bigger one which could accommodate about two thousand people at the same time. Likewise, there was a stage on which no less than 20 musicians could perform in the same show.

Although the club enjoyed a certain fame among the locals in the area, what really made it famous was the concert performed by the Fania All Stars on August 26, 1971. That was a day that will undoubtedly remain in many people’s mind forever, both attendees and musicians. This was the moment when the musical phenomenon initiated by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci would reach well beyond what its creators have never dreamed of.

The idea of performing the show was conceived by Ralph Mercado, who would comment to Masucci on this. Given that the Cheetah Club had a large space and enviable acoustics, it was the place they finally selected for the historic concert.

Anyone seeing the place in which would be the colorful establishment would never imagine what happened there 50 years ago. At present, the formerly nightclub is a residential condominium of more than 20 floors housing large apartments with wide windows.

Although there is nothing left of the place that witnessed one of the greatest musical events in Latin music history, the memory of that special night will remain in the minds of those who witnessed such a waste of talent on that now-defunct platform in the 1970s.

Announcement of the concert performed by the Fania All Stars — A poster announcing the concert performed by the Fania All Stars

For more information, you can read Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión and Where the idea of the name of the Fania Record label came from

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Quinteto D’Amore Cultivating traditional Cuban music worldwide

Quinteto D’Amore of Havana – Cuba

Quinteto D’Amore was founded in 2000 within an acoustical format; cultivating traditional Cuban music, although in its repertoire, you can find international songs; and made various presentations both domestic and international.

All these years, different musicians have integrated the group, but two years ago, it has been renewed and is now composed of Bass, Tres, Violin, bongo, minor percussion and soloist.

They are characterized for combining music, voices, and choreography in some of their songs, filling those who can enjoy their show with joy and energy.

Quinteto D'Amore Cultivating traditional Cuban music worldwide. — Quinteto D’Amore of Havana – Cuba

Yasney (violin): Graduated from Higher Institute of Art with a specialty in Violin (ISA). Member of the UNEAC, she joined the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, participated in recordings of leading groups and soundtracks, as well as in the CD “Mi Querido Pablo II” with Pablo Milanés and his guests: Milton Nacimiento, Lucecita Benítez,

Fito Páez, Joaquín Sabina, Alberto Cortes, and at the concert offered at the National Auditorium in Mexico City.

He has made numerous tours and concerts with the band “Mambo Así”, the group “Sol y Arena”, “Piel Morena”, among others, through various countries such as Moscow, Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, Saint Martin Island and Guadeloupe, Italy, and Angola. Yasney joined D’Amore in May 2014.

Quinteto D’Amore

Yonel (three/four Cuban guitar) I began my career in music when I was six by learning to play the guitar. Since then, I used to sing some songs and to accompany others like my brother. AI was seven when I started at the school of arts in Santiago.

In Cuba, I studied violin for about three years and, in time, I started to learn about other instruments such as the piano and the percussion to reach the bass with which I played with the group Son Chévere de Matanzas for several years.

Then I came to Havana and started playing the tres until I made it into a CUATRO, adding a couple more strings and it is the instrument with which I currently work in Quinteto D’Amore.

Evelyn (soloist) began to study music since choildhood, taking piano and musical theory lessons. At the age of 11, she received her first award as a solo singer given by the pioneers’ organization and took dance lessons at the National Ballet School in Havana and contemporary dance workshops, integrating various dance companies and performing in the 2nd Tropicana Show. She is a mid-level graduate from micro operator. She studied at the School for Art Instructors.

As a singer, she started her professional career by joining several groups such as: Lady Salsa Mix, Cuban Salsa Orchestra, Las canelas, Ketlman Ferrer and his orchestra, etc. She is currently the lead singer of Quinteto D’Amore.

In all these years different musicians have integrated the group, currently two years ago the group has been renewed and is composed of Bass, Tres, Violin, bongo, minor percussion and soloist. They are characterized by combining music, voices and choreography in some of their songs, filling with joy and energy those who can enjoy their show. — Quinteto D’Amore was founded in 2000 with an acoustic format.

Orley (Bass): He studied bass and contrabass, he began his musical career in Ciego de Avila as part of different groups of small and great format such as: Eclipse Orchestra, Conjunto Campesino “Campo Lindo”, etc. Later on, he joined groups in Havana such as Septeto Tradición, the group of the singer Leyanis Lopez with whom he travelled to France (Paris) under the record label “Luz Africa”. From 2007 to 2011, he was on the Orchestra of Maykel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor with whom he made several international tours in Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, and Peru, and participated in the recording of his 2 albums. From 2011 to 2013, he joined the groups like “Amor y el Son”, Pepitín y su CumBachá”, and Habana Midic with whom performed in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon. Orey joined D’Amore in May 2014.

Daymé (Director, tres and bongo): Graduated of Telecommunications and Electronics engineering at the “José Antonio Echeverría” Higher Polytechnic Institute and at the intermediate level in music in the specialty of “Tres”. She belonged to the amateur artistic movement for 14 years, participated in international festivals, integrated several groups of small format with which she performed in Cuba in the “Dos Gardenias” complex, La Bodeguita del Medio, the Floridita Restaurant and various hotels, Outside of Cuba, she has fulfilled several contracts in Jamaica, Qatar, Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain), Jordan, Egypt, Japan, Spain, Turkey and China. She is currently the bongo player and director of Quinteto D’Amore.

Maria Carla (2nd violin) began her music studies at the “Alejandro García Caturla Conservatory” where she acquited basic secondary education and the 7th year of violin.

In 2006, she entered the “Amadeo Roldán Conservatory” to continue his studies to reach the ipper secondary level of violin. During her time as a student, she was part of the orchestras of the respective schools and participated in meetings, competitions and concerts as both instrumentalist and vocalist in choirs.

Upon her graduation, she taught in the province of Pinar del Río and gave classes at the Vocational School of Art in the same city for two years.

Since 2010, she is part of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba by working simultaneously with various classical and popular music groups such as “La Camerata del Son”, “Ensemble Alternativo”, “Quinteto D Amore”, “Orquesta Panorama”, and “Quinteto Doble Sabor”.

María Carla has also participated in several events and festivals: Encuentro Nacional de Orquestas Sinfónica, Feria Internacional Cubadisco, Encuentro de Coros, Festival América Canta, Festival de Música Contemporánea, Festival de Jóvenes Pianista, Festival del Danzón, Feria Internacional del Libro de La Habana as well as in several recordings and phonograms with artists such as José María and Sergio Vitier, Toni Pinelli, Rafael Guedes, and Aldo López-Gavilán.

She has also accompanied renowned soloists such as pianists Lang Lang, Chucho Valdés, Frank Fernández, Aldo López Gavilán, singer Omara Portuondo, violinists Ryu Goto, Francesco Manara, clarinetist Keisuke Wakao, and guitarist Joaquín Clerch.

He has worked under the baton of conductors such as Yoshikazu Fukumura, Marin Alsop, Francesco Belli.

Quinteto D’Amore Repertoire

Latin/English Recent Hits

Havana – Camila Cabello

Someone Like You – Adele

Don’t You Remember – Adele

Unbreak My Heart – Tony Braxton

Rehab – Amy Winehouse

Whenever Whatever – Shakira

Dancing – Enrique Iglesias,

Lambada – Kapma,

Macarena – Los del Rio,

Mambo No 5 – Lou Bega,

Nossa Nossa – Miechl Telo

Yo Tengo Tu Love – Si7e

Solo Quiero Darte Un Beso – Prince Royce

Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

English Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Yesterday – The Beatles

Only You (And You Alone) – The Platters

New York New York – Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli

Misty – Errol Garner & Johnny Burke / Johnny Mathis

Girl From Ipanema – Pery Ribeiro, Frank Sinatra

Flying To The Moon – Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall

Summertime – Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday …

Autum Leaves – Nat King Cole, Andrea Bocleli, Eric Clapton …

My Way – Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka / Claude Francois, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley

I Just Called To Say I love you – Stevie Wonder

Somewhere Over the Rainbown – Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg / Judy Garland, Israel

For Ever And Ever – Demis Roussos

Hotel California – Eagles …

Cuban/Latin Salsa, Son, Rumba, Cumbia, Bolero

El Yerbero Moderno – Celia Cruz,

Quimbara – Celia Cruz

Life is a Carnival – Celia Cruz

Idilio – Wilie Colon

El Carretero – Buena Vista Social Club

El Cuarto De Tula – Buena Vista Social Club

The Discreet Kisses – Compay Segundo

Chan chan – Compay Segundo

Hasta Siempre, Comandante – Carlos Puebla

Maridos Majaderos – Perdro Luis Ferrer

Yolanda – Pablo Milanés

Volveré – Diego Verdaguer

Montón de Estrellas – Polo Montañez

Cariñito – Los Hijos del Sol

Oye Como Va – Tito Puente / Carlos Santana

Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare) – Dean Martin …

Capullo de Aleli – Cateano Veloso

Dos Gardenias – Daniel Santos, Buena Vista Social Club

La Flor Pálida – Polo Montanez / Marc Anthony

Perfidia – Alberto Domínguez / Los Panchos, Perez Prado, Nat King Cole, Ben E. King,

Luis Miguel

Guantanamera – Celia Cruz, Compay Segundo, Tito Puente, Joan Baez

Lágrimas Negras – Trio Matamorros, Omara Portuondo, Celia Cruz, Compay

Segundo/Cesária Évora

Moliendo Café – Jose Manzo Perroni / Mario Suárez, Xiomara Alfaro, Ricardo

Montaner

El Manisero – Rita Montaner, Antonio Machin, Mistinguett, Louis Armstrong

Historia de un amor – Carlos Eleta Almaran, Guadalupe Pineda

Besame Mucho – Consuelo Velasquez / Los Panchos, Pedro Infante, Louis Armstrong,

Andrea Bocelli

Quizás Quizás Quizás – Osvaldo Farres / Bobby Capo, Celia Cruz, Nat King Cole

El cumbanchero – Rafael Hernandez / Tito Puente

Que Será, Será – Jay Livingston and Ray Evans / Connie Francis, Natalie Cole

Pink Cherry – Los Tecolines

www.quintetodamore.com

www.facebook.com/QuintetoDAmore

Youtube Quinteto D’Amore

Hicham Billouch and his Nour Marruecos Orchestra “Arabic music”

“Music for me is like oxygen, I cannot live without it and I will never forsake my passion “.

Hicham Billouch, Moroccan musician, seeks to explore new musical avenues and possibilities.

Billouch studied music at the Royal Conservatory in Marrakech and graduated as a pianist. He also plays the violin, the lute, the guitar and the sintir.

When he was a teenager, he started working in cabarets in Marrakech like Hotel Sahara Inn, Rotana, VIP Club and Hotel Le Semiramis in Casablanca.

In Morocco, he played along with singers like Ahmed Adawiyya from Egypt, Fares Karam from Lebanon, Mohamed Reda, Pinhas, and Badr Sultan from Morocco.

He also participated at the Mawazin Festival organized by the Government of Morocco and worked in the organization of musical events such as Green March Day.

"Music for me is like oxygen, I can't live without it and I will never give up my passion." — Hicham Billouch and his Orchestra Nour Morocco
Arabic Music

In France, he played with Maqam al Ushaq, which is a Moorish music group, at the Mediterranean Music Festival in Corsica and the International University Music Festival in Belfort Ville, France.

In Mexico he created Nour Marruecos, an Arabic music ensemble, with local musicians. Nour Marruecos has participated in international festivals such as Lerdantino (Durango), Festiva Toluca and Calimaya (Mexico State) and the Córdoba International Book Fair (Veracruz). He also played in the Lebanese Restaurant Adonis in Polanco. Mexico City.

In Mexico City, he organized a belly dance competition and also published a book with the Spanish translation of 40 Arabic songs.

Her record production includes 3 CDs: Salam, Qamar and Kalimat, with covers of Arab songs and her own compositions.

After moving to Mexico City, Maestro Hicham Billouch established the Arabic music ensemble Nour Marruecos with local musicians.

Gnawa music to be inscribed in 2019 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity — Nour Morocco Orchestra Arabic music

The Orchestra

Nour Marruecos has participated in international festivals such as Lerdantino (Durango), Festiva Toluca and Calimaya (State of Mexico), the Córdoba International Book Fair (Veracruz) and the Arab Week organized by the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas of México.

The ensemble has also represented Morocco in various cultural and official events organized by the Embassy of Morocco and in private events of the Arab, Lebanese and Jewish communities.

Fusion

Gnawa music, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2019, is one of the most versatile, because its scales and rhythms have their roots in sub-Saharan Africa, so theyr are compatible with the pentatonic scales of blues and jazz.

That is why Hicham Billouch has merged the traditional instruments of Gnawa music such as the guembri, the outar and the qraqeb, with instruments from India such as the sitar, the tabla and with electronic music.

Arabic instruments

Arabic music has a long history of interaction with many musical styles in the world. Arabs people translated and evolved Greek texts and mastered musical theories.

In the pre-Islamic period, Arabic music consisted of singing poetry. As for the musical instruments, they were used in a manner that may accompany and savour the meaning of poetry.

Arabic instruments can be classified into three main types: string instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments.

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Raymundo “Ray” Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929.

Ray Barretto, Giant Force

Son of Ramón Barretto and Dolores Pagán, born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; he belongs to the generation of Puerto Ricans who grew up in New York and are known as “neoyoricans”: children of Puerto Ricans who did not know the Island.

His father leaves home and returns to Puerto Rico when Ray is barely six years old, leaving his mother, Doña Lola, alone to raise her children Ray, Ricardo and Cecilia. His childhood and part of his youth were spent between the streets of Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, listening to Latin music in the morning and jazz at night.

“My mother fought hard to keep us away from drugs and crime. She rented a room in the apartment to feed us. And as I recall, popular music was an escape for her from the reality of poverty and strengthened her spirit to keep fighting,” Ray recalled.

In 1946, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the army and was sent to Europe, where he curiously began his career as a jazz percussionist, performing officially at the Orlando Club GI, in Munich, Germany, in one of those jam sessions, a point of discovery for many great figures of music.

Regarding his performance in Germany, Ray comments: “That was an inspiration of the moment! There was an old banjo with old strings, I had listened to Chano Pozo through his records with Dizzy Gillespie, and I had that desire to play, to imitate Chano.

I took the banjo, went up on the stage and started to play by hitting the snare drum. Miracle the musicians didn’t throw me off the stage! But then they told me: ‘you have talent, you must go on and try to improve yourself’.

So when I returned to the United States, I bought my first drum and started looking for any place with live music to improve my technique by listening and watching how the musicians played, not on record, but live”.

Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de la Salsa” (Virginia, USA) is pleased and privileged to provide International Salsa Magazine with a worldwide release of her most recent publication and English translation of the book Ray Barretto, Giant Force.

Raymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929. — Ray Barretto, Giant Force

The availability in English of this work, assists in the diffusion of Latin culture within the English speaking public. This was made possible thanks to the rigorous research and literary skill of Colombian author Robert Tellez, as well as the linguistic precision of Puerto Rican translator Ronald Vazquez.

This year, 2021, marks fifteen years since Ray Barretto left the earthly congas and five years since Colombian journalist Téllez Moreno released Ray Barretto, Giant Force.

On April 29th of this year, on the occasion of Barretto’s 93rd birthday, the Colombian author presented the translation of the aforementioned work, published in collaboration with Be More by Bella Martínez.

Like the work originally written by Téllez Moreno in Spanish and published by some publishers in 2016, this English version by the Puerto Rican translator gathers in a chronological and rigorous way the musical work of the also known as “Manos Duras”.

The book highlights Barretto’s beginnings in jazz and his influential career in salsa, collecting 11 Grammy nominations.

Ronald masterfully translates into simple, readable English the same journalistic narrative that Téllez constructed using testimonies gathered from those closest to Barretto.

After Barretto’s death in February 2006, Annette “Brandy” Rivera and the friend of the musician who is the subject of the book, George Rivera, shared with the author their memories of various moments in Barretto’s career.

Ray Barretto, Giant Force, was a virtual activity that was transmitted from Casa Norberto in Plaza Las Americas.

The presentation was moderated by journalist and writer Jaime Torres Torres, the independent editor in charge of the translation project, Bella Martínez, translator Ronald Vázquez, music professor and researcher Elmer González, author of the prologue to Ray Barretto, Giant Force, and the author of the book, Robert Téllez.

Research Sources by:

Bella Martinez

Andrés Campo Uribe “Contributor to Herencia Latina”.

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