Jose Mangual Jr. – Still Swinging and coming back to Northern Cali!

One of the enduring figures in Salsa, the renowned vocalist, percussionist and record producer Jose Mangual Jr. will make a rare appearance at the 38th Annual Western Region Puerto Rican Council’s El Dia De San Juan scholarship fundraiser at History Park, 1650 Senter Road in San Jose this Saturday, June 18 from 11am to 7 pm. Jose Mangual Jr. is one of two musician brothers born to Jose Mangual Sr., legendary percussionist with the Machito Orchestra and other giants of the Cubop/Mambo era. Jose joined a youthful orchestra led by a budding trombonist Willie Colon in 1968 which featured vocalist Hector Lavoe, conguero Milton Cardona and timbalero Louie Romero. This band was to make musical history with a fresh take on NY Salsa combining jazz, boogaloo, street smarts and the urbanization of PR jibaro music in it’s mix and produced many hits. Mangual performed with Colon until 1977 when he took over musical direction of Hector Lavoe’s new band. He later started his solo career as a singer, musician and record producer. Mangual produced his first recording “Tribute To Chano Pozo” as well as his solo recordings, his collaborations with Jimmy Sabater as Son Boricua, the Estrellas Caiman and countless others. He will be reuniting with Louie Romero (Colon alumni) on this special show.