The Lehman Center presents “Palladium in the New Millennium”, featuring Machito Jr., Tito Puente Jr. and Tito Rodriguez Jr.
By SILE MOLONEY
Image courtesy of Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.
The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents “Palladium in the New Millennium,” Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Puente and Tito Rodriguez headlined “The Big Three” at the Palladium Ballroom in Manhattan.
Lehman officials say the sons of the three aforementioned legends, Tito Puente Jr., Mario “Machito” Grillo and Tito Rodriguez Jr.., will assemble “The Big Three Palladium Orchestra” to carry the torch of their respective fathers and after 20 years, will reunite to play the original arrangements of the great master, Ray Santos, to relive the glorious and golden age of music in New York.
Organizers say the show pays tribute to Robert Sancho, vice president of development and external affairs for the Bronx Care Health System, who they say has worked incredibly hard for more than 20 years to bring the arts to light on the stage of the Bronx, and produced excellent season-opening concerts. at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Some of the notable artists who have graced the stage for these concerts include Eddie Palmieri, Andy Montañez, the Mambo Legends, Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Cheo Feliciano, Michel Camilo, Machito Orchestra and many more. The event will be hosted by Joe Conzo Sr. and the main performers will also be joined by special guest, John “Dandy” Rodríguez.
Lehman officials say that in the 1950s America fell in love with the Latin musical genre, mambo, and that “The Home of Mambo” was the Palladium Ballroom, located at 53rd Street and Broadway in Manhattan, until it closed in 1966. as Alma Dance Studio, it was renamed the Palladium Ballroom in 1946, with Machito headlining and Tito Puente appearing on the scene as director in 1948.
According to Lehman officials, later vocalist Tito Rodriguez and his band began to rival Machito and Puente as headliners, establishing Machito, Puente, and Rodriguez as The Big Three. The Big Three Palladium Orchestra is said to be the brainchild of Machito’s son, Mario Grillo, as he wanted to be closer to the Puente and Rodriguez families to represent the music of the Palladium era. With 20 members and a repertoire of over 2,000 pieces, The Big Three Palladium Orchestra recreates all the glory of the Latin big band and the mambo craze of the 1950s with its tropical-flavored trumpets, be-bop piano and percussion.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for PALLADIUM IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM can be purchased at $100, $65, $55, 50 $ and $45, by calling the Lehman Center box office at (718) 960-8833, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the concert, or online at www.LehmanCenter. org. The center can be reached via the 4 or D trains to Bedford Park Boulevard, or from the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Highway if traveling by car.
The center is supported, in part, by public funds through the SVOG grant from the US Small Business Administration, implemented by US Senator Charles Schumer, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the New York City Council. The 2022 season is also made possible through the sponsorship of the New York State Council on the Arts, Spring Bank, Con Edison and the Friends of Lehman Center.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION: To ensure the safety of our staff, audience and performers, proof of vaccination and masks will be required to attend all performances at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, in accordance with the New York City Mayor’s office.