Like most concerts in 2023, 2024 also began with presentations by exponents who celebrated important numbers in their musical careers. Last Saturday, urban composer Tainy threw a grand party at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico to honor his 10-year collaboration with the genre's greatest.
On Saturday evening it was the teacher's turn Luis “Perico” Ortiz at the Caguas Ángel O. Berríos Fine Arts Center. The evening that was a summary of the six decades of experience the arranger, coincided with the 20th anniversary of the great house of arts and humanities.
To honor both milestones, every detail had to be paid special attention to, and it was. With the attitude and claims prominent in Telemundo's “Telenoticias,” the news show host said: Jorge Rivera Nievestook the floor to introduce the trumpeter.
“We would like to officially welcome you to this special evening as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Fine Arts Center of the City of Caguas. I attended my first grade at a primary school in the Savarona district, then we moved to the so-called El Circo, and then the family emigrated to Trastalleres, there with Andy Montañez and the boys, but the teacher Luis “Perico” Ortiz “Auch”, began the communicator, receiving applause from the audience.
Rivera immediately turned the floor over to the President of the Board of Directors of the Caguas Fine Arts Center and the Mayor. William Miranda Torres. However, the announcement was not greeted with the same enthusiasm as it had been just minutes before.
Less than two minutes had passed since Miranda Torres began speaking when someone in the audience complained. “We want sauce”cried the knight. “Let's go”replied the mayor and then finished reading what he had written at a speed that confused him several times.
His talk ended with applause for the venue's managing directorIvonne class and for the employees who work there. Rivera once again caught the attention of those present.
What would happen next would be historic. Journalists from Mexico, Colombia and the United States traveled to Puerto Rico to report in their respective countries.
good sauce
In this way, the curtain of the Felipe “La Voz” Rodríguez Hall opened to officially begin the show with the title “Touching and singing stories”completely sold.
The opening of the “show” was led by children’s trumpeter Daniel Torres. Despite his small stature, the youngest grew with his talent.
Torres joined them Moncho Riverawho dramatized the moment when his uncle, the greatest sonero in salsa, Ishmael RiveraHe named the evening’s host Luis “Perico” Ortiz.
“Thank you good night. Sixty-four years ago, Ismael Rivera baptized me with the name Luis “Perico” Ortiz and I baptized Daniel Torres with the name of the next Luis “Perico” Ortiz. His first applauseasked the 74-year-old producer.
The symbolic act culminated in the first musical number of the evening, “Get out of the way, Perico,” played by Rivera. “Bilongo”Also, one of the songs that is extremely popular inside and outside the salsa scene, was part of the repertoire, which included over 20 hits.
An orchestra of 19 musicians led by Ortiz welcomed and matched the style of more than a dozen world-class artists who came to the Buenos Aires venue to honor the uninterrupted career the artist began in New York in 1970 Various images of colorful parakeets were projected on a huge screen throughout the concert, as well as black and white photos showing many of the anecdotes heard.
“Three great friends” It will go down as one of the unforgettable moments in the show's history. With the participation of Henry Santiago And Manolito Rodriguez, there is no better way to celebrate and thank a friendship like the one they share. One of the many surprises promised since the event was advertised was the timing Arianelys Ortiz Cruza girl with autism and blindness, “stuck with singing” because of her exceptional talent on the timpani.
Ortiz Cruz not only gave the audience a lesson in self-improvement and determination, he also became a role model and inspiration to many in attendance. A woman in the audience had to go into the lobby to get some air, well, “that's moving,” she said. “And often people complain about how much stupidity there is,” she added excitedly.
From “La Loma” came Norberto Velez to delight the salsa audience. “Juan Del Valle” And “On legs” were the songs assigned to him. In the second song, the producer and composer demonstrated his interpretative quality through high registers that surprised even him.
After finishing, he doubted that next time he would be given “an easier song than 'De patitas'.” “Perico” then remembered his time with the Fania All-Stars and when he met Celia Cruzwith whom he worked as an arranger on the iconic songs “Pablo Pueblo” And “Kimbara”.
It was almost predictable that they would announce it India to sing “Kimbara” with his powerful and unmatched voice. Manolito RodriguezHe also took the stage to sing “The Queen is the Rumba”.
The Lord of Salsa, Gilberto Santa RosaHe was among the guests whose names were announced before the concert. Among the songs he offered, he stood out “Gardenia perfume”a dedication to all women of Latin America.
For this moment of the concert, which was divided into two parts, the audience, which again seemed quite calm, sighed, chanted and even stood up in agreement.
The second part of the “show” opened Tony Vega with “This is how a son puts himself together.” And “Borinquen has Montuno.” Jerry and Gerardo Rivasequally fascinated by her interpretation of “Down the river it goes”, “Perico has it.” And “Three”.
Unlike the first part, the general attitude of the audience was different this time. Despite violating Fine Arts Center rules, many didn't mind standing up and taking a step or two before an usher reminded them of the guidelines.
The last colleague of “Perico” to perform at the music party was the Panamanian Ruben Bladeswho sang “Siembra”, “Plásico” and the classic of classics “Pedro Navaja”. The latter was also one of the songs that the audience liked the most.
The concert concluded with a historic and unrepeatable performance. The truth is It is a privilege to have Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Norberto Vélez, Manolo Rodríguez, Moncho Rivera, La India, Gerardo and Jerry Rivas on the same stage and singing together. Happy are those who enjoyed and took part in the masterful performance of “How I Live”.