Roberto Roena

A member of the Fania All Stars since 1973, Roberto Roena was a master of Latin percussion. In addition to performing with his own band, Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, Roena played bongos and congas for such top-notch Latin performers as Ruben Blades, Tito Cruz, Papo Sanchez, Adalberto Santiago, Elias Lopes, and Julio "Gunda" Merced. Roena initially attracted attention when he accompanied Ismael Rivera on the popular television show El Show de Cortijo y Su Combo. Broadcast daily from 1954 until 1955, the show established Roena as one of Puerto Rico's best percussionists. He ...