Rochester's Own Mambo Kings are a Big Hit

Saturday, July 1 21:21

Thursday was a great evening for the RPO and Rochester here in Vail. The Mambo Kings and the RPO were a hit with our Latin concert! There were at least four standing ovations for this great orchestra and Rochester’s own nationally acclaimed masters of Latin jazz … the Mambo Kings.

We go way back with the Mambo Kings. I’ve known Dick DeLaney (pictured at left in photo) for about thirty years and we featured the band on its orchestra debut with RPO about eight years ago. Dick DeLaney, the leader and founder of the group, is a masterful arranger/orchestrator and a wonderful composer.

This current version of the Mambo Kings features Hector Diaz on bass, Freddy Colon on drum set and timbales, Dave Antonetti on congas and John Viavattine on flute and saxes. The Mambo Kings are another jewel in the artistic crown of Rochester and the combination of the RPO and the Mambo Kings was HOT!!!!

On the first half, the orchestra shined and we played Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture,” which we will record in a few weeks when we do a CD project with Jon Nakamatsu (with a special concert at the Eastman Theatre on July 23). The RPO has a unique way of playing this music because of all the different styles of music we play so authentically. Gershwin always comes alive when the RPO plays it with such gusto and energy.

The audiences here in Vail really appreciate this fine orchestra and this week they got some of Rochester’s hottest salsa.

--Jeff Tyzik, Principal Pops Conductor

[Ed. Note – The Mambo Kings will join the RPO for concerts February 9 & 10, 2007. Click here for more information on WPOP Series subscriptions]