Orquesta Arangón de Cuba. Foto cortesía
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present direct from Cuba, the legendary champion of Cha Cha Chá and Danzón, ORQUESTA ARAGÓN, with special guest Pupi Legarreta, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 8pm. ORQUESTA ARAGÓN, who played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Cuban music, internationally spearheaded the first wave of Cuban Cha Cha Chá and Mambo Mania that captivated American audiences with the characteristic sound of traditional “SON CUBANO”.
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 ORQUESTA ARAGÓN on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 8pm ($45, $55, $60, $65, $100) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 ; Para Español: 718-960-8835 (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm, and beginning 4 hours prior to showtime on weekends), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/
Orquesta Aragón, also known as “The Jewels of Cuban Music,” is the legendary Cuban orchestra founded in 1939 by double bass player Orestes Aragón in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Since its creation, the ensemble has undoubtedly secured status as the favorite Cuban band for millions of passionate music listeners who cherish the popular musical genres: Cha Cha Chá, Danzón and Son. With a discography that exceeds 100 albums, Orquesta Aragón has had an illustrious history in the world of music. The band has earned a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame of Latin Music in both New York (1999) and Las Vegas (2012).
The band’s legendary album La Charanga Eterna (1999), which celebrated the band’s 60th anniversary and included the classics “Siboney” and “Bruca Manigua”, was nominated for the Latin Grammy® as Best Traditional Tropical Album in 2002. More recently, the orchestra continued to earn two consecutive Latin Grammy Awards for their albums Ícono and Chachacha: Tributo a lo Tradicional in the Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album category in 2020 and 2021,
Orquesta Aragón’s distinctive sound continues to captivate audiences far and wide. For over eighty years, Orquesta Aragón have set the standard for Cuban dance music with their sweet melodies, infectious rhythms and rich harmonies as they continue to hold its place as one of the most requested Cuban groups, becoming a “living legend of Cuban music.”
Pupi Legarreta, violinist, flutist, singer, band leader, arranger, and composer, is a pivotal figure in the evolution of Latin music in the United States. In 1963, Pupi Legarreta made his debut as a band leader with Salsa Nova on Tico Records. Later, he signed with Fania Records and became a member of the Fania All Stars, traveling internationally and recording with musical greats such as Larry Harlow, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and Ray Barretto.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the SVOG Grant. In addition, Lehman Center received funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx Delegation. Special thanks to Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Nydia Velázquez for their support of arts and culture by implementing the SVOG grant. We would also like to thank Assemblyman Jose Rivera for his generous grant from The New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The 2022-2023 season is also made possible through the sponsorships by Goya Foods, Con Edison, Havana Café, and Friends of Lehman Center.
