The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents the legendary Andy Montañez in “Toda una Vida Concierto!” on Saturday, March 2, as Montañez celebrates his 60th anniversary. The show features Tito Puente Jr. performing a tribute to his father, Tito Puente, along with performances by “El Trio Ideal,” and the exciting dance rhythms of Johnny Olivo and Herencia de Plena.

 

Lehman representatives said Montañez, dubbed “El Godfather de la Salsa,” [The Godfather of Salsa], born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is known for his rich, powerful vocals. They said he gained international popularity during his 15-year tenure (1962-1976) as lead vocalist of the legendary salsa group “El Gran Combo” [The Big Combo], producing 37 albums that included hit songs such as “Hojas Blancas,” [White Pages] “Un Verano en Nueva York,” [A Summer in New York] “El Barbero Loco,” [The Crazy Barber] and “El Swing” [The Swing].

 

They said in 1977, Montañez replaced Oscar D’León in the popular Venezuelan orchestra La Dimension Latina, [The Latin Dimension] recording eight albums in three and a half years that included hits like “El Eco del Tambor” [The Echo of the Drum], and “Ave María Lola.” They said in 1980, Montañez formed his own orchestra in Puerto Rico and released the popular album Salsa Con Caché [Authentic Salsa].

 

They went on to say that in 2007, he released the hard-hitting, salsa album “El Godfather de La Salsa,” which also became a success on the charts. They said the 2010 El Gran Combo tribute album, “De Andy Montañez Al Combo,” which featured new arrangements of the hit songs, “Brujería,” [Witchcraft], “No Hago Más Ná” [I Don’t Do Anymore], and “Carbonerito,” rose to number 5 on the Billboard Latin Tropical chart. They added that in 2018, Montañez was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammy Awards.

 

Meanwhile, Lehman Center representatives said Puente Jr. and his orchestra will be celebrating the centennial of the “King of Latin Music, Tito Puente,” in a tribute performance on the same date along with the Eddie Torres Jr. dancers. They said this will be a retrospective performance of the 50th career anniversary of “Mambo King,” Tito Puente. They said Puente Jr. passionately carries on his father’s musical legacy, nurturing it to ensure that his father’s memory remains alive. They added that Puente Jr. has become an audience favorite in performing arts centers, symphony halls, and jazz festivals worldwide, performing more than 300 shows over the past five years.

 

Lehman representatives went on to say that “El Trio Ideal” consists of Pedro Velez (lead vocalist); Guillermo Cruz (second voice and second guitarist); and Santos Cruz (lead guitarist and third voice). They said the group’s recent album, “Para el Pueblo Con Amor,” [For the People, with Love] includes such songs as “Mi Viejo,” [My Old Man] “Bajo un Palmar” [Under a Palm Tree] and “Amor de Madre” [A Mother’s Love].

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. The 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 Andy Montañez are on sale at $125, $95, $75, $60, and $50 and can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at (718) 960-8833 Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the concert, or online at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/andy-montanez.

 

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx delegation. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the Office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State legislature.

 

Lehman officials said Goya Foods has renewed its sponsorship for the current season which they said helps the Lehman Center expand its reach to the community. In addition, they said they have also secured funding from the Howard Gillman Foundation to help expand the center’s  programming. They said the 2024 season has also been made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and cherished audience members.