Roberto Roena

Roberto Roena (born January 16, 1938 in Mayagüez, ) is a salsa music percussionist, orchestra leader, and dancer. Roena was one of the original members of El Gran Combo, Puerto Rico’s first successful salsa music orchestra. He later became the leader of his own band, “Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound”, arguably one of the best Latin salsa bands in Puerto Rico. Roena has also been a long-time member of the Fania All Stars, a salsa supergroup that has enjoyed worldwide success since the 1970s.

Roberto Roena (left) and puertorrican Salsa DJ Yun Yun Echevarria at Radio Voz, Carolina, Puerto Rico (1980s). Born in the Dulces Labios neighborhood of Mayagüez, Roena took his first steps in the art of dance by staging dance routines with his brother Cuqui at his hometown. When Roberto was nine years old, his family settled in Santurce, where the brothers continued to refine their mambo and cha-cha-chá routines, delighting their public in talent contests. This led to their contract of weekly performances on the television program “La Taberna India” on WKAQ-TV. During the broadcasts, percussionist saw Roena in action. Roena, aside from being a dancer, was a talented at playing percussion Conga drum. Raphal Cortijo took him under his wing and though him how to play Bongos later to become the bongo player for his band. He also Played occasional baseball. Cortijo y Su Combo

When Roberto was 16 years old, Cortijo was in need of a bongo player for a group that he was forming. Visualizing a bongo player that could dance and play the cowbell at the same time, Cortijo recruited Roberto to join his new band, and personally taught Roberto how to play both instruments. The group’s name derived from the name of an existing band named “El Combo” in which many of the original band members had been involved. For seven years, Roena was part of Cortijo’s group and his Combo, with as vocalist. With that lineup, they toured the major stages of the United States, Europe, and South America. It is worth noting that “Cortijo y Su Combo”, mostly made up of black musicians (of Puerto Rican descent), was the first of its kind to succeed in gaining access to the stages where only white artists were performing, within and outside of Puerto Rico. El Gran Combo

The Combo’s good fortune ended with the arrest of its star singer, Ismael Rivera, for charges of drug possession. With the absence of “El Sonero Mayor,” Cortijo’s musicians discussed the possibility of remaining together. Some members of the group chose to distance themselves from their imprisoned lead singer, and “El Gran Combo” was born. Out of gratitude and loyalty to Rafael Cortijo, his mentor, Roena did not join the new Combo immediately. Eventually Cortijo left for New York in search of new musicians, and after nine months, Roberto, who had stayed in Puerto Rico, decided to join “El Gran Combo” which was then led by pianist .

El Gran Combo became the new sensation in Latin music, and Roena was part of the group until 1969. Wanting to establish his own salsa orchestra, Roberto formed “Los Megatones” in 1967, playing Latin Jazz Wednesday nights at a local club. Two years after forming “Los Megatones”, as a result of personal differences with Andy Montañez, one of “El Gran Combo’s” vocalists, Roberto left “El Gran Combo”. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound

In 1969, he went on to form a band by the name of “Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound”, arguably one of the best Latin salsa bands in Puerto Rico. Roberto Roena’s new orchestra was baptized “El Apollo Sound” because the launch of NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar mission coincided with the day of the band’s first rehearsal. The band eventually recorded hits such as Y Tu Loco Loco, Traicion, Que Se Sepa and Herencia Rumbero. Roberto Roena has also been a long-time member of the Fania All Stars, the showcase group for the label, which has enjoyed worldwide success since the 1970s. He recorded his signature song, “Coro Miyare”, with the group; live performances of the song featured Roena playing the bongos and dancing with his uncle, legendary salsa dancer Aníbal Vázquez, in a choreographed section that almost always received standing ovations from the audience.

Mr. Roena took a giant step in the fusion of salsa with jazz, in the 1970s, by joining forces with African superstar (saxophonist) Manu Dibango of “Soul Makossa” fame. Even without knowing how to read or write music, and probably because of it, Roena knew how to surround himself with excellent musicians and arrangers. “Apollo Sound” featured musicians from the ensemble of Tito Puente, “Cortijo y Su Combo”, “El Gran Combo” and “Los Sunsets”, among others. Some of the well renown arrangers and composers who nourished his repertoire were Mario Ortiz, Bobby Valentín, Elias Lopés, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Papo Lucca. With “Apollo Sound”, Roberto introduced a “new” sound to salsa music by utilizing two trumpets, a trombone and a saxophone, a combination he took from the influence of the wind section of the rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears (in honor of which his band recorded a successful version of “Spinning Wheel”).

Roberto always considered variety as the key to success, leading him to include in his musical repertoire everything from go-go to the romantic, the same in English as in Spanish. Roberto Roena and his Apollo Sound’s first CD produced hits of great impact like “Tú loco loco y yo tranquilo,” “El escapulario,” and “El sordo.” In fact, it was Apollo Sound who popularized the Bobby Capó classic, “Soñando con Puerto Rico.”

Apollo Sound recorded under the label International Records (a subsidiary of Fania) for a decade, in which they harvested successes like “Traición,” “Chotorro,” “Mi Desengaño,” “Fea,” “Marejada feliz,” “Cui cui,” and “El progreso,” among others. His popularity on the radio waves came accompanied with tours around the United States and Latin America.

Complementing the musicality of the salsa group was always the showmanship inherent in Roberto Roena. Dying his hair in new colors, playing percussion in his underwear and sporting a harness so he could “fly” around the stage of ’s Madison Square Garden were some of the tricks that he used to stand out among the other groups in vogue. In fact, a noted journalist that followed Apollo Sound once remarked that they were “the first group in Puerto Rico with a system of psychedelic lights and go-go girls.”

Beginning in the 1980s, Roberto Roena and his Apollo Sound experienced a fade in popularity, reflecting a crisis that was sweeping through the salsa movement in general. Nevertheless, Roberto maintained himself by collaborating and recording independently with local groups. In 1990, Roena tried to revive the concept of Apollo Sound. He opened a concert for British rock singer at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, where he presented his hit salsa version of “Every Breath You Take” (with an amused Sting watching from the sidelines).

In 1994, he celebrated 25 years with his orchestra in a successful concert at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan. This performance was recorded and released, validating his music for a new generation.

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Credits

Agogo Bell, “Live” In Fania All- Bongos, 2012 Puerto Rico: Stars Congas, June 11, 1994 Cowbell Hammock House: Primary 2012 Eastbound L Artist Leyendas De La Primary 2012 Fania, Vol. 3 Artist [2012] Leyendas de la Primary 2012 Fania, Vol. 1 Artist [2012] Leyendas de la Primary 2012 Fania, Vol. 2 Artist [2012] The Rough Guide to Salsa: Two Primary 2012 CD Deluxe Artist Edition El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Primary 2011 Latin Boogaloo, Artist Disco, Funk & Soul Fania Records 1964-1980: The Primary 2011 Original Sound Artist of Latin New York Fania All- 2011 Live in Africa Bongos Stars Primary 2011 Salsa Caliente Artist ¡Sonó, Tite Curet Bongos, 2011 Sonó…Tite Alonso Campana Curet! 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Primary 2006 Origen de La Artist Salsa We Love Salsa: Capture the Primary 2006 Ultimate Sound Artist of Summer Johnny Bongos, Guest 2005 Entre Amigos Pacheco Artist Salsa en la Primary 2005 Decima Avenida Artist N.Y. ’03 Salsabor, Vol. Primary 2005 2 Artist Orquesta 2005 Tumbando Cabeza Composer Tabaco y Ron Fuerza Gigante: Live in Puerto Bongos, 2004 Ray Barretto Rico April 27, Soloist 2001 Gigantes de la Primary 2004 Salsa Artist [Fonovisa] La Historia de Puerto Rican Primary 2004 La Salsa: Live Masters Artist Live at Yankee Fania All- 2004 Musician Stadium Stars Primary 2004 Salsa 100% Artist Primary 2004 Salsa Heat! Artist Salsa Night Primary 2004 Live Artist The Greatest Primary Live Recordings Fania All- 2004 Artist, of Fania All Stars Soloist Stars En Vivo Desde Primary 2003 Bellas Artes Roberto Roena Artist [DVD] NuYorican Funk Primary 2003 Experience, Artist Vol. 3 Bongos, Mixing, Primary 2003 Regreso Roberto Roena Artist, Producer, Recording Director Yuri Bongos, 2003 Vagabundo Buenaventura Percussion 100 Años: Live 2002 Andy Montañez Composer en Concierto El Gran Combo 40 Aniversario, 2002 de Puerto Composer 1962-2002 Rico Primary 2002 Pinero Artist, Producer Que Pasa?: The Fania All- Bongos, 2002 Best of Fania Stars Percussion All-Stars Afro-Cuban Bongos, 2001 Grooves, Vol. 4 Percussion [Wagram] Auténticamente Bongos, Main 2001 Tito Rojas en Vivo Personnel Barreto 50th 2001 Ray Barretto Bongos Anniversary Concierto del Primary 2001 Amor Artist Freak Off: Latin Performer, 2001 Breakbeats, Primary Basslines & Artist Boogaloo Performer, Jam Session 2001 Primary Feeling Artist Kool It: Soul, Primary 2001 Funk & Jazz Go Artist Latin Performer, Latin Cool! 2001 Primary [Fania] Artist Un Italiano en Roberto 2001 Bongos la Salsa d’Milan Performer, Broasted or 2000 Primary Fried Artist Primary 2000 Fania Superhits Artist, Producer Grandes del Primary 2000 Bolero [Fania] Artist Latin Beats: A Primary 2000 Tribute to Tito Artist Puente Latin Cool: Performer, 2000 Essential Latin Primary Jazz Artist Bongos, Latin Spectrum, 2000 Primary Vol. 2 Artist Salsa en la Performer, Calle 8 2000 Primary Millennium Artist Edition Performer, 2000 Todo en Salsao Primary Artist Afro-Cuban Bongos, 1999 Grooves, Vol. 4 Percussion [Melodie] Aquel Gran 1999 Combo Dayer Mixing Encuentro Performer, Festival Latino 1999 Primary Americano [#1] Artist Las Estrellas Primary 1999 de La Fania, Artist Vol. 9 Performer, MP Tenth 1999 Primary Anniversary Artist Presents…Puerto Humberto 1999 Guest Artist Rico Jazz Jam Ramírez Roberto Roena y Primary 1999 su Apollo Roberto Roena Artist Sound, Vol. 4 Performer, Salsa en 1999 Primary Matinee, Vol. 2 Artist Salsa! Gold Performer, 1999 Classics Primary [Double Disc] Artist Con el Apollo Los Hijos de Bongos, 1998 Sound los Celebres Composer Performer, 1998 Exitos Salseros Primary Artist Los Bravos de Primary 1998 Fania, Vol. 3 Artist Merengazo – Mas 1998 Composer Calientes Salsa Moderna: Performer, A Taste of New 1998 Primary Wave Latin Artist Flavours Fania All- 1997 Bravo 97 Bongos Stars Charlie Bongos, Guest 1997 ElectroDuro Palmieri Artist Nu Yorica 2!: Further Adventures in Bongos, 1997 Latin Music Percussion Chango in the New World Bateria, Bongos, Concept, Drums, Roberto Roena y Leader, Su Apollo 1997 Roberto Roena Lider, Sound: Mi Primary Música 1997 Artist, Rhythm Consultant, Soloist Rough Guide to Primary 1997 Salsa Artist Una Mujer Como 1997 Albita Percussion Yo Ya No Soy El Bongos, 1997 Jerry Rivera Nino Aquel Percussion Performer, Coleccion Salsa 1996 Primary Discotheque Artist Constelacion de Performer, Estrellas: 1996 Primary Fania Platino, Artist Vol. 1 Constelacion de Performer, Estrellas: 1996 Primary Fania Platino, Artist Vol. 2 Performer, Estrellas de La 1996 Primary Fania, Vol. 2 Artist 1996 Fresco Jerry Rivera Bongos La Octava Primary 1996 Roberto Roena Maravilla Artist Performer, Legends of 1996 Primary Salsa Bass Artist Unknown 1996 Ritmo de Salsa Pablo Milanés Contributor Role Bongos, En Vivo Desde Percussion, 1995 Roberto Roena Bellas Artes Primary Artist Agogo, Agogo Bell, Bongos, Cowbell, Member of Live: June Fania All- Attributed 1995 11-1994, Puerto Stars Artist, Rico Tumba, Unknown Contributor Role 1995 Magia Jerry Rivera Bongos Plácido Bongos, Guest 1995 Nativo Domingo Artist Roena: The Bongos, Fania Legends Percussion, 1995 of Salsa Roberto Roena Primary Collection, Artist Vol. 4 21 Motivos De 1994 Limi-T 21 Guest Artist Amar Unknown Harold 1994 Estoy Aqui Contributor Acevedo Role Performer, Estrellas de La Fania All- 1994 Primary Fania, Vol. 5 Stars Artist Fania Records Performer, 1964 – 1994: 30 1994 Primary Great Years, Artist Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Interpretan a Artist, 1994 Ruben Blades Unknown Contributor Role Performer, Los Soneros de 1994 Primary Siempre Artist Bongos, Percussion, 1994 Pa’ Fuera Roberto Roena Primary Artist Bongos, Percussion, 1994 Poderoso Roberto Roena Primary Artist Bongos, Pueblo Pide Que Percussion, 1994 Roberto Roena Toquen Primary Artist Guest Artist, Humberto Unknown 1993 Aspects Ramírez Contributor Role 1993 Cara de Nino Jerry Rivera Guest Artist 1993 Clase Y Sabor Tito Allen Bongos El Gran Combo First Class 1993 de Puerto Composer International Rico Audio Production, Bells, Bongos, Que Suerte He 1993 Roberto Roena Performer, Tiendo de Nacer Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Tesoros de la Performer, Musica Todos 1993 Primary Afrolatina, Estrellas Artist Vol. 2 Tesoros de la Performer, Musica Todos 1993 Primary Afrolatina, Estrellas Artist Vol. 3 1992 Cuenta Conmigo Jerry Rivera Bongos Primary 1992 Gold Roberto Roena Artist, Producer Justo Bongos, Main 1992 Pa’ Bravo Yo Betancourt Personnel Performer, Primary Super Salsa 1992 Jerry Masucci Artist, Greats, Vol. 3 Producer, Vocals Pedro Conga y Su Orquesta Pedro Conga y Unknown 1991 Internacional Su Orquesta Contributor [Musical Internacional Role Productions] Valio la Pena 1991 Pedro Conga Bongos Esperar Abriendo 1990 Jerry Rivera Bongos Puertas Para Ustedes…El Willie 1990 Percussion Publico Gonzalez Bongos, Fania All- 1989 Guasasa Cowbell, Main Stars Personnel Vine Pa’ 1989 Pedro Arroyo Bongos Quedarme Bongos, Fania All- Member of 1988 Bamboleo Stars Attributed Artist Lalo 1987 Punto y Coma Quinto Rodríguez Bongos, Member of Live in Japan Fania All- 1986 Attributed 1976 Stars Artist, Soloist Additional Lo Que Pide La Fania All- 1984 Personnel, Gente Stars Bongos Cheo Bongos, Main 1982 Profundo Feliciano Personnel Audio Production, Bongos, Leader, Main Super Apollo 1982 Roberto Roena Personnel, 47:50 Percussion, Primary Artist, Producer Latin Fania All- Bongos, 1981 Connection Stars Cowbell Bongos, Looking Out for Percussion, 1981 Roberto Roena “Numero Uno” Primary Artist Unknown Fania All- 1981 Social Change Contributor Stars Role Agogo, Agogo Bell, Bell, Bongos, Choir/Chorus, Group Member, Fania All- Guiro, Member 1980 California Jam Stars of Attributed Artist, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Bongos, Fania All- 1980 Commitment Guiro, Main Stars Personnel Main Cheo 1980 Sentimiento Tu Personnel, Feliciano Percussion Main Personnel, Fania All- 1979 Cross Over Musician, Stars Primary Artist Fania All- 1979 Habana Jam Musician Stars Audio Production, Bongos, Ensemble, 1978 El Progreso Roberto Roena Main Personnel, Primary Artist, Producer Bongos, La 8va. Primary 1978 Roberto Roena Maravilla Artist, Producer Fania All- 1978 Live in Africa Bongos Stars Performer, Salsa Greats, 1978 Primary Vol. 2 Artist Fania All- Bongos, 1978 Spanish Fever Stars Percussion Bongos, Fania All- 1977 Rhythm Machine Percussion, Stars Soloist Bongos, Roberto Roena y Leader, 1977 su Apollo Roberto Roena Primary Sound, Vol. 9 Artist, Producer Delicate and Fania All- 1976 Bongos Jumpy Stars Bongos, Main Live at Yankee Fania All- Personnel, 1976 Stadium, Vol. 2 Stars Musician, Percussion Audio Production, Bongos, Concept, Main Personnel, 1976 Lucky 7 Roberto Roena Percussion, Primary Artist, Producer, Soloist Fania All- 1976 Salsa Musician Stars Bongos, Congas, Tribute to Tito Fania All- 1976 Member of Rodriguez Stars Attributed Artist Bongos, Member of Live at Yankee Fania All- 1975 Attributed Stadium, Vol. 1 Stars Artist, Percussion Cortijo y Su Bongos, 1974 Juntos Otra Vez Combo Congas Bongos, Main Fania All- Personnel, 1974 Latin-Soul-Rock Stars Percussion, Soloist Audio Production, Bongos, Roberto Roena y Leader, Main 1974 su Apollo Roberto Roena Personnel, Sound, Vol. 6 Percussion, Primary Artist, Producer Cheo Bongos, Main 1973 Felicidades Feliciano Personnel Bongos, Member of Live at the Fania All- 1973 Attributed Cheetah, Vol. 2 Stars Artist, Percussion Audio Production, Bongos, Roberto Roena y Leader, Main 1973 su Apollo Roberto Roena Personnel, Sound, Vol. 5 Primary Artist, Producer Our Latin Thing Fania All- Guest Artist, 1972 (Nuestra Cosa) Stars Musician Bandleader, Roberto Roena y Leader, 1972 su Apollo Roberto Roena Primary Sound, Vol. 3 Artist Live at the Fania All- Musician, 1971 Cheetah, Vol. 1 Stars Percussion Bongos, Roberto Roena y Leader, 1971 su Apollo Roberto Roena Percussion, Sound, Vol. 2 Primary Artist Leader, Roberto Roena y 1970 Roberto Roena Primary su Apollo Sound Artist Pete 1969 Latin Soul Man Composer Rodriguez The Puerto 1963 Rican All-Stars Bongos Featuring Kako Unknown El Alma de un Cortijo y Su 1958 Contributor Pueblo Combo Role Primary La Salsa Mayor Roberto Roena Artist Live In Zaire Celia Cruz Bongos 74 Lo Esencial De Primary Fania, Vol. 4 Artist Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa) Fania All- Primary – 40 Stars Artist Aniversario Selecciones Primary Roberto Roena Fania Artist Selecciones Primary Fania The Best Artist Of… Primary Spirit of Salsa Artist Leader, Y Su Apollo Percussion, Roberto Roena Sound 2 Primary Artist Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Roena