Ralph Mercado Presents 30th NY Salsa Festival.

Every year the largest and most waited for Salsa Musical Festival in the World has been celebrated in New York’s Madison Square Garden. This year completes a milestone that atones for the longevity of the music genre, as well as its major promoter, Ralph Mercado.

The idea that Mercado visualized more than thirty years ago, has long been a vibrant reality amongst New Yorkers who, year after year, flock trough the gates at the majestic Madison Square Garden to enjoy the tones of Salsa performed by the best musicians in the World.

The 30th Anniversary will be a grand affair featuring a lineup that can easily be stated will be the best at any concert venue in the World this year. The lineup is a true blend of the best, the classic and the new, and a true fest for your music senses.

“El Sonero de la Juventud” Víctor Manuelle has become an idol in the Salsa world. His matinee idol good looks and personality, adds to his swift performing style and his keen capacity to interpret a wide variety of rhythms, from the traditional Salsa to the ballad, Víctor Manuelle is always at his best, and the young Sonero is now a prominent member of the Salsa elite. At one time considered a Sonero for the youth, Victor Manuelle has ably proven that he is a Sonero for all. His latest recordings like Travesía and Le Preguntaba a la Luna say it all; this young Sonero is here to stay.

India has been known for a long time as the “Princess of Salsa”, and she has indeed lived up to the billing. She can sing and she can swing and her performances at the Garden have always show that she is a fan favorite. Expect more of the same. With songs like Sedúceme, she has proven that the Salsera can also be a seductress and her constant hit parade has more than proven her worth. La India is one of our favorites and the beloved New Yorker is indeed a true Salsa star.

Tito Rojas is known as “El Gallo Salsero” and the son of Puerto Rico has proved for years why he is so well liked by all Salseros. New York has always proved a home for Tito and his performances are always a chuck full of unadulterated Salsa. A great singer, Tito can bring it out with the best and his many radio hits truly speak for a career of success. He has, perhaps more hit singles than any other Salsa star, with 32 and counting. He is sure to perform some of your favorites like Esa Mujer me Gusta, Guaguancó de Corazón, Este Amor, Condenáme a tu Amor, Nadie es Eterno, Señora, Siempre Seré, Señora de Madrugada, Que más tu Quieres de mí, and Quiero Llegar a Casa amongst a host of others.

In the preferences of all Latinos there is a name that exalts total musical exaltation that is “El Sonero del Mundo” Oscar D’León. Without a doubt everybody’s favorite, Oscar has, for over four decades, remained at the top of the Salsa industry, a great sonero, Oscar’s performances are known to go on and on and on. He never knows when to stop singing; he never knows when to stop giving his all to his adoring fans. When Oscar is on stage, the fans are having hot Salsa, for there is nothing else for the great sonero. Listen to some of his all time hits like Bravo de Verdad, Mi Bajo y Yo and Juanita Morel. Oscar is the best and he always proves it on stage.

With 50 years under their belts, La Sonora Ponceña has proven to be one of the preferred bands for all Salseros. From Hachero pa un palo, to Fuego en el 23, dancers have been burning the stage to the ensemble created by the Lucca family. Master pianist Papo Lucca has maintained the tradition that was started by his father Quique and the band is surely at the top of the list of all Salseros. La Sonora plays with Caché, one more time, at the Salsa Fest.

N’Klabe is one of the best representatives of the new wave of Salseros who are destined to take the music genre on a new spin. N’klabe is Salsa’s bridge between the classic and the new and their passion for the genre rivals that of the classics. They want to make good music for people to dance to their music. Their latest recording I Love Salsa says it all, this youthful band is sure going to surprise a lot of people in the most important music venue in the World, The Madison Square Garden.

Another celebration will pit Master Salsa DJ and King of Spanish Language New York Radio Hipolito “Polito” Vega in front of his audience for a well deserved tribute. A veteran of 46 years as a top radio personality in New York, Vega is the best known Disk Jockey in the history of Spanish Language radio, his name and reputation being known in New York, San Juan and all over the Caribbean Basin.

Of humble beginnings, Vega was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and arrived in New York in 1959, one of many immigrants who were looking for the opportunity of the North American dream. In those days, Polito was a singer and led his own trio. He did not reach stardom as a singer, but destiny had in store an even bigger responsibility and throughout the years Polito has the first to play many of our greatest stars for the New York Latino audience.

A survivor of the Golden Age of Latin Music, Polito is active with his weekly program, “Salsa con Polito” and remains one of the great favorites of the radio audience in the tri-state area. His popularity is a true living tribute to his massive popularity amongst all radio listeners in New York.

As a Disk Jockey, Vega started with the old WEVD. He later became part of well remembered WBNX where he was a mainstay until SBS made its mark of the New York radio landscape, Polito has remained there for the last 16 years. To date Polito Vega, remains a clear, firm and vibrant voice behind the microphone as is a distinguished member of the Latin Music Hall of Fame, a true King in his profession. Vega is and will continue to be the stalwart to which present and future disk jockeys will be compared to, in New York, Latin Music is Polito!