A bite from the apple—New York

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 2003 by Vicki Sola

A sparkling new production by Eddy Zervigón and Orquesta Broadway, the group's first recording in 21 years, was celebrated in style with a combined record release/40th anniversary bash on September 17 at La Maganette.

The standing-room-only crowd, included SonSublime's leader Jesse Herrero and flutist Connie Grossman, tres guitarists Nelson González and Junior Rivera, vocalist Verny Varela, promoter Ralph Mercado, and Zervigón's family, who looked on as the well-loved charanga band performed the classic numbers that have made them an institution in the Latin music world.

Johnny Pacheco and Héctor Casanova joined Broadway, (with vocalists Felo Barrio and Gene Hernández, who traveled from Florida to participate) onstage. Making the evening more memorable were two dance exhibitions; one featured Ernie Ensley and Anna Araya, who thrilled the crowd with a demonstration of Palladium-style mambo, and the other was performed by Piel Canela dancers Joe Burgos and Jocelyn Méndez, who dazzled patrons with their contemporary stylings.

Orquesta Broadway played two incredible sets. They could have played all night long, and I have never heard them sound better, a sentiment echoed many times during the evening. Their CD, 40th Anniversary (Flauta Records) includes the tracks Mulata, Isla Del Encanto, La Humanidad, Arrepientete, No Se Va a Poder, La Negra Fuló and Yo Bailo Con Ella. Zervigón dedicated the latter to late promoter Tony Rodríguez because it was his favorite Orquesta Broadway tune. The entire production is dedicated to Rodríguez, the late José Fajardo, and the late Broadway member Roberto Rodríguez, Sr.

Broadway's current members are leader/flutist Eddie Zervigón, pianist Pablo Mayor, violinists Joe Medina, Ali Bello and Eddy Venegas, percussionist Kelvin Zervigón, conguero Danny González, timbalero Mike Collazo, bassist Mike Amitin, and vocalists Ronnie Baró and Pete Rodríguez. Special guest artists include violinist Alfredo De La Fé, trumpeter Roberto Rodríguez, Jr., bassist/vocalist Willy Rodríguez, percussionist Ivan Zervigón, and vocalists Felo Barrio, Eugenio Hernández and Verny Varela.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, charanga is alive and well and never better! Further evidence is the fact that Andrea Bracheld's Son Charanga was called back by popular demand to play at González y González one week after their September 18th debut performance.

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick of the Month": Orquesta Broadway's Mulata.

Vocalist Nestor Sánchez passed away in New York on September 1, 2003. The sonero, who began his prolific career singing with Tony Pabón's Protesta, performed and recorded with many artists throughout the years, including Conjunto Candela, Larry Harlow, Andy Harlow, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Cheo Feliciano, the Fania All-Stars, Fausto Rey, Frankie Negrón, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Héctor Lavoe, Los Hermanos Moreno, Isidro Infante, Ismael Miranda, Isaac Delgado, Johnny Rivera, Junior González, Justo Betancourt, La India, King Nando, Manny Oquendo & Libre, Louie Ramírez, Ray Rodríguez, Madera Fina, Oscar D'León, Paul Simon (on Broadway's "Songs From The Capeman"), Rubén Blades, Santiago Cerón, Tipica '73, Willie Colón and Yomo Toro.

Check out the reissue titled Introducing Ray Rodríguez and his Orchestra (Alegre, 8670), originally released in 1968 and featuring a very young Néstor Sánchez. Also worthwhile is Sánchez's own production Como Nunca (Sonador, 252), reissued in 1995, featuring Tito Allen, Claudette Sierra, Sergio George, José Claussell, Jorge González, Eddie Montalvo, Pete Nater, Danny Jiménez, Edwin González, Augusto Onna, Piro Rodríguez, Johnny Torres and Ray Martínez. Néstor Sánchez was a sonero's sonero who never received the recognition that he so richly deserved.

Around town. On September 24th, Johnny Pacheco y su Tumbao, featuring Héctor Casanova, performed at La Maganette on an evening dedicated to the memory of the club's late promoter, Tony Rodriguez, whose career spanned over 40 years, and who passed away on September 24, 1999. Earlier that month at the same venue, Frankie Vásquez and Los Soneros del Barrio had dancers going nonstop to tracks from Siguiendo La Tradición, and their previous recording, Remembranzas. Magical moments occurred when pianist Chiemi Nakai jammed and vocalist Minerva Cruz stepped up to the microphone.

On September 6, at Madison Square Garden, the 28th New York Salsa Festival headlined the Fania All-Stars (led by Johnny Pacheco), Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar D'León, and Victor Manuelle, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Ray Barretto, Papo Lucca, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto Santiago, Jimmy Bosch, Héctor Casanova and Yomo Toro. From August 28 to 30, the Copacabana--with the help of producer Tiffany Wright--presented three whole nights of El Gran Combo. On the last night, Marc Anthony, José Alberto "El Canario" and Armando Fajardo were present. Fans were ecstatic when the two vocalists jumped onstage to jam with EGC!

Coming soon. A production by Cuban born bassist/singer/composer Nino Torrente and his band Son de Hoy, featuring Junior Rivera on tres. Torrente's group is a weekly attraction at club Son Cubano, and they have also performed at Nell's, La Belle Epoque, González y González, Risa and Café Pertutti. ¡Hasta la próxima! Happy 2004!