Bronx, NY—-Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in celebration of the 45th Anniversary is proud to present JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO” 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 8:00 pm. Celebrating 50 years of his career, “The Showman of Salsa” takes audiences on a musical journey through his illustrious career at his favorite venue, Lehman Center, a venue cherished by his loyal fans and has chosen the city where he grew up, the city that inspired him to the world of salsa, New York. The multi Grammy Award winner will be joined by an incredible ensemble of talented musicians, dancers, and special guest artists soon to be announced.
JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO,” known for his exquisite voice and unique whistling abilities, is a celebrated Dominican singer who released three albums in 2025 “De Pueblo y Con Clase,” “36. José Alberto “El Canario” (Ensamble etéreo),” and “Big Swing,” which has been nominated for a Latin GRAMMY® in 2025 for “Best Salsa Album,” celebrating five decades of “EL CANARIO’S,” artistic career. He also released the singles “El Tumbaito,” “Calabozo,” “Sábado,” and “El Muñeco” in 2025.
In 2023, he won a Latin GRAMMY® for “Best Traditional Tropical Album” with his acclaimed album Rodando Por El Mundo. The project is a tribute to bolero and tropical music, featuring legendary vocalists Gilberto Santa Rosa, Víctor Manuelle, and Milly Quezada. JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO” first rose to international prominence as the lead singer of Típica ’73, contributing to landmark albums Salsa Encendida (1978) and Into the 80s (1981). In 1983, he launched his own group, producing influential albums Típicamente (1984) and Canta Canario (1985).
The ’90s saw even greater success with hits “Nada se Compara Contigo” and “Discúlpeme Señora” from his album Llegó la Hora (1992). Having worked alongside Tito Puente, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, and Dave Valentín, JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO” continues to shape salsa’s legacy.
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 JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO” 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 8pm(VIP $100, $85, $65, $50, $40) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 or 718-960-8835 in Spanish (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm, and beginning at 4pm on the day of the concert), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/el-canario-50. 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.
