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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCHARANGA AMERICACharanga band of flute, strings, rhythm section and voices formed in NYC by the Maysonet family in 1977. Director, conguero and producer George H. Maysonet (b 19 April 1938, Cataño, Puerto Rico) began his career with charanga of Alfredito Valdés in 1958; he played with the bands of Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Rosario, Orquesta Broadway, Típica Novel (later called Orquesta Novel) and others. His wife Margaret sings co-lead vocals and chorus; their sons are Elliot (timbales, bongo, campana, chorus, clave) and George Jr (conga, timbales). Debut album George Maysonet And Charanga America '78 on El Sonido included the hit 'Ayudame San Antonio' penned by Cuban vocalist/ percussionist/ composer Rafael 'Felo' Barrio, who shared lead vocals with Gene Hernández; Barrio, who worked with Orquesta Broadway '70s-80s, performed on all but one of America's albums '80-89; Panamanian flautist/saxist Mauricio Smith produced the LP; Nestor Torres played flute. Hernández went on to make three LPs for Alegre leading his own charanga Novedades: Gene Hernández y Novedades con Amor '78, produced by Louie Ramírez, Inspiraciones '79, the noteworthy El Sabor de 'Gene' '81 with Novedades augmented by three trombones; Luis 'Perico' Ortiz produced, co-arranged and played on the latter two. Meanwhile America signed with Top Hits (TH) for two albums: Comiendose A Nueva York '80, produced by George, and Charanga America '81, co-produced by George; Dominican singer/composer José Bello shared lead vocals on both LPs, then went solo with Lo Mejor Presenta: José Bello y su Orquesta '81, José Bello y su Orquesta '83 and Expresa E Interpreta Sus Sentimientos '84, all on Lo Mejor, later followed by B & B Records presenta A José Bello '89 on B & B and Cantautor '95 on Exclusivo. America continued with two LPs on Combo produced by label boss Ralph Cartagena: Y Algo Mas '83 and The Very Best '85; followed by Siempre Con Sabor! '89 on El Abuelo. Notable personnel included African-American first violinist/ arranger/ founder member Eddie Drennon, who played on all their albums '78-89; vocalist/timbalero Héctor 'Tempo' Alomar (see Libre), who performed on band's '80-3 LPs; Willie Rodríguez, piano on '80-1 LPs, joined Libre '83; flautist/saxist Bobby Nelson, who played on '80-3 albums (flautist Gustavo Cruz replaced him on '85-9 LPs); Jorge Maldonado, lead vocals on '83-9 albums. They gigged consistently, and held their 14th anniversary party at NYC's Sweetwaters nightclub Januaary 1991. |