Baretto and his band: (left to right)Luis Cruz, piano;Ray Barretto, congas; Roberto Rodriguez, Trumpet, composer and background vocals; Adelberto Santiago, Lead Singer; Andy Gonzalez, Bass; Unknown muscian; Tony Fuentes, Bongos; Orestes Vilato, Timbales.
This photo was taken in the early 70's and it is a courtesy of Robert Rodriguez, Jr.
Flutist Dave Valentine and I after the concert. This photo was taken at the Tri-C Jazz Festival, in Clevland, Ohio. At this concert Dave was an invited guest soloist with The Latin Legends. Actually, after the concert there was a dance at the Hilton where we were staying. Myself, Dave and Matt Golahan got on stage and jammed with the local band. It was so much FUN. And the crowd loved it.
The first recording session I attended was an Ismael Quintana session.
Jimmy put this banc togerher to backup Giovanni Hidalgo and Oreste Vilato. Band members (from left to right:) Robert Rodriguez, Jr., Jimmy Delgado, Oreste Vilato, George Delgado, Nito Carresquilo, Chuckie Lopez, Giovanni, myself, Jimmy Bosch,( kneeling) Carlos Henriquez and Frankie Vazquez.
Pacheco and his band. I attended a few recordings where Pacheco was present, ether as the producer or musical director of the session. He was always so nice and very, very funny.
Here is a great photo of Jorge Gonzalez on Bongos with the Johnny Pacheco Conjunto. They were backing up The Queen...Celiz Cruz
Jose Manqual, Milton Cardona, Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon in prison outfits. Willie had this ganster/convic image thing going on during his early career.
Damn, she was BAD!!!...I have a couple of videos of her in action. One was a TV show she did, I would say it had to be in the late 60's and the other one was shot in concert at Central Park in 1972. She was one fantistic singer and entertainer. Sad to say but, she died pennyless. Chukie Lopez told me a very funny story about her thowing his Bongoes across the stage to the floor, while she was singing and doing her thing...if you do not know what her thing was then you need to send me an email or go back and review your Salsa 101 course book.
This was one of the first gigs I did with The Latin Legends. The late Ray Barretto was one of the founding members/co-leader.
Here is Chukie Lopez, Giovanni Hidalgo and mysef on the island of Guadulupe. Taking a break during the sound check, I gave Giovanni a few pointer on playing congas....LOL
The great Eddie Palmieri, if you listen closely to his recording you can hear him screaming and moaning from pure musical pleasure
Ralph makes his statement and putting that slide to work. Ralph freelances with many, many, many bands in New York. Me and Ralph go way back. Am talking about doing gigs in social clubs and poolhalls...during these days ( 1976-1978) and or should I say nights we would travel 1 1/2 from Brooklyn to the Bronx, to do 4 sets for $25.00!!...Ralphie we've come along way.
I was 12 years old when I met Ruben and he invited me to a recording session. My mother did not allow me go because the session started at 11:00pm. This session turned out to be the recording of the Ray Barretto album "Barretto".
Thanks to Jorge Gonzalez who emailed me this photo. Jorge is a sought after Bongo player. Along with performing with S.H. O., Jorge tours with Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Ruben Blades and many others. I look forward to posting a photo album of Jorge on various tours...So email me more pics Jorge.
Larry Harlow and The Latin Legends Band. Myself and Lewis Kahn on Trombones. Actually in this photo Lewis is playing violin during the performance of the classic "La Cartera"
As a kid and living in Puerto Rico me and Tito's niece(I think her name was Nora or Nuria) were in the same 5th grade class. Tito's sister had a pizza parlor in Levittown and I would do landscaping work for her. When he passed, my family and I went to his wake.
Most of the Willie Colon band members when Ruben Blades was the vocalist. Check out Mr. Jose Rodriguez (wearing the red jacket) one of latin music most soulful trombonist
On past tours; Yomo and I have shared alot of time together. He is truly a humble man with with a heart of gold.
Approximatly 6 months before Pete " El Conde" Rodriguez passed away I had the pleasure of traveling to Florida and North Carolina with him, Ismael Miranda, Jr. Gonzalez, Yomo Toro, Larry Harlow and The Latin Legends where we did several concerts. One of the concerts was at the Fort Brigg Army Base, which hosted a concert in Pete's honor.
