Eddie Rodriguez: My Roots in Salsa Music. A Puerto Rican South Bronx Tale

Hispanic Heritage Month 2022

Latin Music Series 

My first show as a concert  promoter was in 1975. I booked the great Cuban singer, songwriter, bandleader Frank Grillo RIPwho the world knew as Machito abd his Afro Cubans with Gaciela on lead vocals. Machito came with his 21 Piece Orchestra. What a sound when you hear this music live. Sad part was that big bands disappeared in the late 70’ and Tito Puente RIP formed his Tito Puente Latin Jazz Ensemble with amazing musicians who began touring in 1979 and worked until April , 2000 before his untimely passing May 31, 2000.

Eddie Rodriguez a 40 + year Latin Music Industry professional sending greetings from Puerto Rico.

His story is based on firsthand experience as a record label executive and the inequality that still exists today to sign, market and promote Black Latino artists in the US Spanish Market (except for some Reggaeton artists) by multi national recording companies Latin divisions (Universal Music Group, Sony Music and Warner Music).Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente, Jr