🎙️ Episode 61: Jose Madera – A Lifetime in Salsa, From Machito to Tito Puente & Beyond Part 1

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This week on Mambo in the City Salsa Podcast, host Adrian Montañez sits down with a true legend of Latin music: José Madera. With over 31 years performing with Tito Puente, José’s career spans decades of salsa, mambo, and Latin jazz history.

🌟 Highlights of the Episode:

• Machito Orchestra Days – José recalls his time playing in one of the most influential Afro-Cuban jazz ensembles that shaped New York’s Latin music scene.
• 31 Years with El Rey (Tito Puente) – Stories from the bandstand, tours across the world, and the energy of working alongside the King of Latin Music.
• Memories of John "Dandy" Rodríguez – Personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes moments with one of the great bongoceros of our time.
• Travel Stories with Tito Puente – The magic, the chaos, and the unforgettable experiences of touring with "EL Rey Del Timbal.
• The Mambo Legends Orchestra – How José and fellow musicians continue to keep the music alive, honoring the traditions of Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodríguez while pushing the sound into the future.

🎶 Why You Can’t Miss This:

This episode is a treasure chest of salsa history, told directly by someone who lived it. From Palladium-era mambo roots to the grand stages of international tours, José Madera’s stories connect the past, present, and future of Latin music.

🔗 Listen now on Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📸 Don’t forget to check out exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes content at MamboInTheCity.com and on Instagram @MamboInTheCityPodcast.

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