Bronx, NY—–Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of THE MAMBO LEGENDS ORCHESTRA with NELSON GONZALEZ’s ALL-STAR ENSEMBLE FEATURING LUCRECIA on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM. This one-night-only event will feature master performer Nelson Gonzalez and acclaimed Cuban vocalist and Latin Grammy nominee Lucrecia with a guest appearance by Azul Gonzalez. The Mambo Legends Orchestra, will ignite the stage, bridging generations of music with exceptional performances that blend the rich melodies of Afro-Cuban and Latin culture.
The Mambo Legends Orchestra is a powerhouse 21-piece ensemble created in 2000 and led by former members, the late John “Dandy” Rodriguez, Mitch Frohman, and musical director Jose Madera, of the legendary Tito Puente Orchestra. Dedicated to preserving and advancing the vibrant legacy of Latin dance music, the orchestra honors the spirit of Latin music’s “Big Three”: Machito, Tito Rodríguez, and Tito Puente. Renowned bongocero John “Dandy” Rodríguez began his career with Tito Rodríguez and played with Ray Barretto and Típica ’73.
Mitch Frohman, a master of both saxophone and flute, served as a soloist with theTito Puente Orchestra for 25 years and has also performed with Latin jazz icons Eddie and Charlie Palmieri. José Madera, the orchestra’s musical director, launched his career with Machito and was Tito Puente’s conguero, contributing to more than 100 recordings. Their acclaimed album Watch Out! ¡Ten Cuidao! earned a Latin GRAMMY nomination, and they were featured in the celebrated 2013 documentary For the Love of the Mambo.
LUCRECIA, a celebrated Cuban vocalist and multi-talented musician, rose to prominence as a key member of the renowned all-female orchestra Anacaona. Her artistry extends beyond the stage, contributing to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated documentary Balseros, directed by Carles Bosch and Josep María Domenech. Lucrecia’s 2010 album, Álbum de Cuba—produced in collaboration with Andy García—earned a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album.
She is also the visionary founder of Premios Alegría de Vivir, a prestigious event celebrating cultural and artistic contributions. Her contributions to the GRAMMY-winning album The Last Mambo were recognized at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2011 and 2012, solidifying her place as one of the most dynamic voices in Latin music today.
NELSON GONZALEZ, a master of the Cuban tres guitar and a former member of the iconic Fania All-Stars Orchestra, joined by hisALL-STAR ENSEMBLE, brings decades of musical excellence to this performance. He began his professional career in 1971 with Justo Betancourt’s Orchestra and quickly rose to prominence, joining the Larry Harlow Orchestra, which led to the creation of the Revelation Orchestra with Ismael Miranda. In 1973, he became a key member of Grupo Típica ‘73, which was awarded Best Salsa Band at the 1976 World Salsa Festival. His extensive recording credits include contributions to GRAMMY-winning albums by Latin music legends such as Gloria Estefan, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, and Rubén Blades.
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 the Governor and the New York State Legislature. We are thrilled to share that Goya Foods has agreed to renew their sponsorship for this season which will help Lehman Center expand our reach to the community. In addition, we have secured funding from the Howard Gilman foundation to help grow our programming. The 2025-2026 anniversary season is also made possible through sponsorships by Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for THE MAMBO LEGENDS ORCHESTRA on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 8 pm (VIP $100, $80, $60, $40, $35) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833; Para Español: 718-960-8835 (Monday through Friday, 10 am–5 pm, and beginning 4 hours prior to showtime on weekends), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/mambo-lucrecia-nelson.The Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
