NEW YORK – The Hostos University College of New York will pay tribute this week, starting Friday, to the singer and conductor Tito Rodríguez, one of the Latin stars who shone in the mythical and disappeared Palladium ballroom, “the house del mambo “in this city.
Although mambo (meaning “conversation with the gods” in Kongan) originated in Cuba in the 1930s, it enjoyed its greatest popularity and style, both in music and dance, at the Palladium in the 1930s and ‘ 50.
Many Latin groups and artists have performed in the famous Manhattan club – frequently visited by Hollywood stars – but during its two decades as a ballroom the orchestras of Puerto Rican Tito Puente “the king of timbale”, Tito Rodríguez and the Cuban Machito .
With a tribute to Rodríguez (1923-1973), the Hostos, which belongs to the Public University of the City of New York (CUNY), in the county of the Bronx, concludes its series of tributes to the “big three” of Palladio, room which closed its doors in 1966.
In 2017 it was a tribute to Tito Puente (1923-2000) and in 2019 to Machito (1909-1984), but the 2020 pandemic forced the postponement of Rodríguez’s.
In addition to his fame with mambos, Rodríguez is also remembered for his style in playing boleros, including his hits “Unforgettable”, “Llanto de luna”, “When you don’t love me anymore”, “Your handkerchief” or ” Into the dark”. “, among others.
“El Inolvidable! Tito Rodríguez” will be a three-day tribute to the composer, musician and producer, who began singing at the age of 13 in his native Puerto Rico and includes talks about his heritage and the Latin music that was heard. and ballad to Palladio.
In addition, two concerts, Saturday and Sunday, in the school theater under the direction of the orchestra led by Tito Rodríguez Jr., which will have as a guest the salsa and bolero singer Gilberto Santa Rosa, on whom he had a great influence and who made tribute to the legendary singer throughout his career.
“Tito Rodríguez means a benchmark of musicality, professionalism and versatility. He influenced the way I elegantly present myself to the public and manage my vocal strengths and limitations,” Santa Rosa told EFE.
“Also taking care of the diction and sound of the recordings. Tito Rodríguez is a compulsory subject for singers of the genre,” he said.
