Bronx, NY—-Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present PUERTO RICAN POWER AND JOHNNY RIVERA & GIRO on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 8 PM. Led by trumpeter and musical director Luisito Ayala, PUERTO RICAN POWER celebrates its 45th Anniversary as a driving force in the salsa scene since 1978. JOHNNY RIVERA, a celebrated vocalist with over 40 years of musical excellence, joined by salsa singer GIRO, promises an unforgettable night of Latin Music’s finest with musical director Bobby Allende.
PUERTO RICAN POWER was established in the 1970s by bassist Jesús “Chuy” Castro. The band revitalized when Luisito Ayala stepped in as musical director and trumpeter. Starting in 1978, the orchestra collaborated with legendary singers Santos Colón, Ismael Miranda, Héctor Lavoe, Vitín Avilés, Tito Allen and Frankie Ruiz. Under Ayala’s leadership, PUERTO RICAN POWER served as the primary backing band for Fania Records’ artists in Puerto Rico for six consecutive years. In 1983, Ayala introduced the legendary Tito Rojas as lead vocalist.
In 1992, PUERTO RICAN POWER released the album Con Todo El Poder, featuring the hit single “¡A donde irás?”. Additional renowned albums included Men in Salsa, Salsa Another Day, and Éxitos y Más, with notable songs such as “Tu Cariñito,” “Si Pero No,” “Cuando Faltas Tú,” and “Mi Mujer es un Policía”. Adding to their impressive track record, PUERTO RICAN POWER was also recognized at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2020 with their album 40 Años De Power receiving a nomination in the Salsa Album category, and Y Te Lo Dice earning the same nomination in 2022.
JOHNNY RIVERA launched his musical career in New York, inspired by his uncle Adalberto Santiago. He first gained recognition with “Terciopelo y Piedra” on Noche Caliente, Vol. 2, performing with Tito Allen and Meñique. His debut solo album, Ahora De Verdad, produced by Sergio George, featured the salsa rendition of Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You” and the hits “Necesito Una Amiga,” “Esa Chica Es Mía,” and “Cómo Fui A Enamorarme De Ti”. JOHNNY RIVERA’s third album, Cuando Parará La Lluvia, earned platinum status with hits “Por Eso Está Conmigo” & “Voy a Conquistar Tu Amor”.
JOHNNY RIVERA’s career reached new heights with Ralph Mercado’s RMM label as he became a key figure in the Combinación Perfecta project alongside Ray Sepúlveda. In 2007, he returned with his ninth solo album Vivo Por Ti, and its single “Dicen” climbed the Billboard Latin Tropical chart.
GIRO rose to fame with #1 hits “Amor Lunático”, “Si Tu Supieras” and “Mi Forma de Sentir” on the Latin Tropical charts. His 2002 album Mi Nostalgia received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album. In 2011, he released Todavia Hay Amor (produced by Cuto Soto and Gunda Merced) featuring a duet with La India on “Islas En El Mar”. As a solo artist, GIRO has also collaborated with salsa legends Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.
The 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 Gillman Foundation to help grow our programming. The 2024-2025 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, 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 PUERTO RICAN POWER AND JOHNNY RIVERA & GIRO on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 8 pm (VIP $125, $95, $75, $60, $50) 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/puerto-rican-power.
