Puerto Rico All Stars
Encyclopedia
The Puerto Rico All Stars (abbr. PRAS) was a salsa
& latin jazz
ensemble band that was founded in 1977 by Frankie Gregory. Based in Puerto Rico
, the Puerto Rico All Stars (not to be confused with the 1963 namesake band of a similar name, the Puerto Rican All-Stars Featuring Kako) were an alternative and rival to the New York
based Fania All-Stars
created by Johnny Pacheco
.
PRAS produced three albums that were released consecutively on an annual basis between 1977-1979. A fourth return album was released in 1996.
1977 Puerto Rico All Stars
Aldo Torres (Trombone),
Andy Montañez
(Background vocals),
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Augie Antomattei (Trumpet),
Derek Cartagena (Compilation),
Eladio Perez (Conga),
Elías Lopés (Arranger),
Elías Lopés (Trumpet),
Elliot Romero (Background vocals),
Endel Dueno (Timbales),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gunda Merced (Arranger),
1978 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Domingo Santos (Timbales),
Elías Lopés (Trumpet),
Gunda Merced (Trombone),
Juan Antonio Pepin (Conga),
Juancito Torres (Background vocals),
Juancito Torres (Producer),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Juancito Torres (Vocals),
Lalo Rodríguez
(Vocals),
Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Luiy Maldonada (Trombone),
Mario Ortiz (Assistant Producer),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Mario Roman (Piano),
Papo Clemente (Conga),
Paquito Guzmán (Background vocals),
Pepe Guerrero (Marimba),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Raffi Torres (Trombone),
Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tito Allen (Vocals),
Tito Lara
(Background vocals),
Tommy Acevedo (Guitar),
Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Tony Sánchez (Drums),
Wisón Torres, Jr. (Background vocals),
Yayo el Indio (Vocals)
1979 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gilberto Santa Rosa
(Vocals),
Jorge Millet (Arranger),
Lalo Rodríguez (Vocals),
Papo Sanchez (Vocals),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Sammy Gonzalez (Vocals),
Tito Allen (Vocals)
1996 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Performer),
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Angel "Angie" Machado (Trumpet),
Angel Torres
(Saxophone),
Celso Clemente (Bongos),
Cheguito Encarnación (Saxophone),
Cuco Sandova (Photography),
Cusi Castillo (Trumpet),
Damaris Mercado (Art Direction),
Darvel Garcia (Background vocals),
Darvel Garcia (Performer),
Darvel Garcia (Vocals),
Edwin Mulenze (Bass),
Efraín Hernández (Bass),
Ernesto Sanchez (Saxophone),
Frankie Gregory (Concept),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Furito Rios (Saxophone),
Hector Tricoche (Performer),
Hector Tricoche (Vocals),
Hector Veneros (Saxophone),
Jerry Medina (Background vocals),
Josue Rosado (Background vocals),
Josue Rosado (Performer),
Josue Rosado (Vocals),
Juan "Pericles" Covas (Engineer),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julito Alvarado (Arranger),
Julito Alvarado (Trumpet),
Lenny Prieto (Arranger),
Lito Peña (Arranger),
Liza Montañez (Performer),
Liza Montañez (Vocals),
Louis Garcia (Arranger),
Louis Garcia (Director),
Louis Garcia (Vocals),
Luis Aquino
(Trumpet),
Luis Quevedo (Piano),
Mario Ortiz (Arranger),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Omar Santiago Macaya (Design),
Phil Austin (Mastering),
Piro Rodriguez (Trumpet),
Primi Cruz (Performer),
Primi Cruz (Vocals),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Timbales),
Ralph Mercado
(Executive Producer),
Ray Santos
(Arranger),
Roberto Jiménez (Saxophone),
Ronald Davidson (Design),
Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Víctor Manuelle
(Performer),
Víctor Manuelle (Vocals),
Willie Lopez (Conga)
2011 Puerto Rico All Stars
Gunda Merced (Trombone),
Jesus Sanchez (Engineer),
Jon Fausty (Engineer),
Jon Fausty (Mixing),
Jorge Millet (Arranger),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julio Anidez (Engineer),
Luigi Texidor (Background vocals),
Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Mario Ortiz
(Arranger),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Marvin Santiago
(Background vocals),
Marvin Santiago (Vocals),
Papo Lucca
(Arranger),
Papo Lucca (Piano),
Paquito Guzmán (Background vocals),
Paquito Guzmán (Vocals),
Polito Huertas (Bass),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael Ithier
(Arranger),
Raffi Torres (Trombone),
Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tony Sánchez (Drums)
Original Release Date: 1977
Re-release Date: August 10, 1992
Label: Combo Records
Los Profesionales
Original Release Date: 1978
Re-release Date: August 10, 1992
Label: Combo Records
Tribute To The Messiah
Original Release Date: 1979
Re-release Date: September 21, 1993
Label: Combo Records
De Regreso
Original Release Date: March 5, 1996
Label: Universal Music Group
/ RMM Records
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
& latin jazz
Latin jazz
Latin jazz is the general term given to jazz with Latin American rhythms.The three main categories of Latin Jazz are Brazilian, Cuban and Puerto Rican:# Brazilian Latin Jazz includes bossa nova...
ensemble band that was founded in 1977 by Frankie Gregory. Based in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, the Puerto Rico All Stars (not to be confused with the 1963 namesake band of a similar name, the Puerto Rican All-Stars Featuring Kako) were an alternative and rival to the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
based Fania All-Stars
Fania All-Stars
The Fania All-Stars was a musical ensemble established in 1968 by the composer, Johnny Pacheco, as a showcase for the musicians on the record label Fania Records, the leading salsa record company of the time.-Beginnings:...
created by Johnny Pacheco
Johnny Pacheco
Johnny Pacheco is a Dominican producer, musician, bandleader, and one of the most influential figures in American salsa music.-Early life:...
.
PRAS produced three albums that were released consecutively on an annual basis between 1977-1979. A fourth return album was released in 1996.
Band member listing
Listed in alphabetical order:1977 Puerto Rico All Stars
Aldo Torres (Trombone),
Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
(Background vocals),
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Augie Antomattei (Trumpet),
Derek Cartagena (Compilation),
Eladio Perez (Conga),
Elías Lopés (Arranger),
Elías Lopés (Trumpet),
Elliot Romero (Background vocals),
Endel Dueno (Timbales),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gunda Merced (Arranger),
1978 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Domingo Santos (Timbales),
Elías Lopés (Trumpet),
Gunda Merced (Trombone),
Juan Antonio Pepin (Conga),
Juancito Torres (Background vocals),
Juancito Torres (Producer),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Juancito Torres (Vocals),
Lalo Rodríguez
Lalo Rodriguez
Lalo Rodríguez , born in 1958 in Carolina, Puerto Rico is a salsa singer and musician is best known for his hit "Ven Devórame Otra Vez"....
(Vocals),
Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Luiy Maldonada (Trombone),
Mario Ortiz (Assistant Producer),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Mario Roman (Piano),
Papo Clemente (Conga),
Paquito Guzmán (Background vocals),
Pepe Guerrero (Marimba),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Raffi Torres (Trombone),
Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tito Allen (Vocals),
Tito Lara
Tito Lara
Tito Lara , was considered by many to be Puerto Rico's first television singing idol.-Early years:Born as Agustín Enrique Lara Olivencia in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lara was raised by his maternal grandmother and received primary education in Santurce. During his spare time, he taught himself to...
(Background vocals),
Tommy Acevedo (Guitar),
Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Tony Sánchez (Drums),
Wisón Torres, Jr. (Background vocals),
Yayo el Indio (Vocals)
1979 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gilberto Santa Rosa
Gilberto Santa Rosa
Gilberto Santa Rosa, also known as "El Caballero de la Salsa" , is a Puerto Rican bandleader and singer of salsa and bolero.-Early years:...
(Vocals),
Jorge Millet (Arranger),
Lalo Rodríguez (Vocals),
Papo Sanchez (Vocals),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Sammy Gonzalez (Vocals),
Tito Allen (Vocals)
1996 Puerto Rico All Stars
Andy Montañez (Performer),
Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Angel "Angie" Machado (Trumpet),
Angel Torres
Angel Torres
Ángel Rafael Torres Ruiz , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Cincinnati Reds. He batted and threw left-handed. Torres had a 0-0 record, with a 2.16 ERA, in five games, in his one year career. He was signed by the St...
(Saxophone),
Celso Clemente (Bongos),
Cheguito Encarnación (Saxophone),
Cuco Sandova (Photography),
Cusi Castillo (Trumpet),
Damaris Mercado (Art Direction),
Darvel Garcia (Background vocals),
Darvel Garcia (Performer),
Darvel Garcia (Vocals),
Edwin Mulenze (Bass),
Efraín Hernández (Bass),
Ernesto Sanchez (Saxophone),
Frankie Gregory (Concept),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Furito Rios (Saxophone),
Hector Tricoche (Performer),
Hector Tricoche (Vocals),
Hector Veneros (Saxophone),
Jerry Medina (Background vocals),
Josue Rosado (Background vocals),
Josue Rosado (Performer),
Josue Rosado (Vocals),
Juan "Pericles" Covas (Engineer),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julito Alvarado (Arranger),
Julito Alvarado (Trumpet),
Lenny Prieto (Arranger),
Lito Peña (Arranger),
Liza Montañez (Performer),
Liza Montañez (Vocals),
Louis Garcia (Arranger),
Louis Garcia (Director),
Louis Garcia (Vocals),
Luis Aquino
Luis Aquino
Luis Antonio Aquino [ah-KEE-noh] is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Kansas City Royals , Florida Marlins , Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants...
(Trumpet),
Luis Quevedo (Piano),
Mario Ortiz (Arranger),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Omar Santiago Macaya (Design),
Phil Austin (Mastering),
Piro Rodriguez (Trumpet),
Primi Cruz (Performer),
Primi Cruz (Vocals),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Timbales),
Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado Jr. was a promoter of Latin American music — Latin Jazz, Latin rock, merengue and salsa — who established a network of businesses that included promoting concerts, managing artists, Radio Mundo Musical a record label the most important in the Latin industry during 1980-1990, film...
(Executive Producer),
Ray Santos
Ray Santos
Father Ray Santos is a fictional character on CBS's daytime drama Guiding Light. He has been portrayed on a recurring basis by George Alvarez since March 30, 1999. The role was portrayed from February 17th to 19th, 1999 by Jaime Passer....
(Arranger),
Roberto Jiménez (Saxophone),
Ronald Davidson (Design),
Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Víctor Manuelle
Victor Manuelle
Víctor Manuelle, born Víctor Manuel Ruiz on November 4, 1968 in Bronx, New York, is a successful Latin Grammy nominated Puerto Rican American salsa singer, songwriter, and improvisational sonero, known to his fans as El Sonero de la Juventud...
(Performer),
Víctor Manuelle (Vocals),
Willie Lopez (Conga)
2011 Puerto Rico All Stars
Gunda Merced (Trombone),
Jesus Sanchez (Engineer),
Jon Fausty (Engineer),
Jon Fausty (Mixing),
Jorge Millet (Arranger),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julio Anidez (Engineer),
Luigi Texidor (Background vocals),
Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Mario Ortiz
Mario Ortiz
Mario Sergio Ortiz Vallejos was a Chilean footballer.Ortiz played club football for Palestino and Colo-Colo, where he won league titles in 1960 and 1963....
(Arranger),
Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Marvin Santiago
Marvin Santiago
Marvin Santiago was a Puerto Rican salsa singer who became famous all across Latin America during the 1970s. He was also a part-time comedian on Puerto Rican television. His brother, Billiván Santiago, had some success in Puerto Rico as a plena singer.- Early life :Santiago was born in San Juan...
(Background vocals),
Marvin Santiago (Vocals),
Papo Lucca
Papo Lucca
Enrique Arsenio Lucca Quiñonez, better known as Papo Lucca, born on April 10, 1946, Ponce, Puerto Rico.Papo Lucca is a famous Puerto Rican multi-instrumentalist , but is best known as a pianist. Main musical genre focus are Salsa and Latin Jazz...
(Arranger),
Papo Lucca (Piano),
Paquito Guzmán (Background vocals),
Paquito Guzmán (Vocals),
Polito Huertas (Bass),
Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael Ithier
Rafael Ithier
Rafael Ithier , is a Salsa musician and the founder of the highly successful orchestra El Gran Combo. Ithier was born in Río Piedras, now a part of greater San Juan.-Early years:...
(Arranger),
Raffi Torres (Trombone),
Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tony Sánchez (Drums)
Discography
Puerto Rico All StarsOriginal Release Date: 1977
Re-release Date: August 10, 1992
Label: Combo Records
Los Profesionales
Original Release Date: 1978
Re-release Date: August 10, 1992
Label: Combo Records
Tribute To The Messiah
Original Release Date: 1979
Re-release Date: September 21, 1993
Label: Combo Records
De Regreso
Original Release Date: March 5, 1996
Label: Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
/ RMM Records