Who Knew? Imagine a twenty-four year old Puerto Rican draftee with a collection of LP's in his locker and getting funny looks from his commanding officer. The North Korean Army just a few miles away and this same draftee persist in practicing on his drum pads. First, he manages to win the army's Pacific Championship and then moves onto the world armed forces championship in Washington, DC. Who won? No, not Elvis (another ole' draftee), it was Orlando Marin.

In the 1950's this same guy was carrying a conga on his back while scurrying around New York's subway, traveling from his home at “Banana Kelly” in The Bronx into Manhattan. It must have been the water - other notable Banana Kelly boys up the block included Latin Jazz artist Eddie Palmieri and the future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Collin Powell.

Orlando Marin, one of the original Mambo Kings, prefers to talk of his stick ball prowess and handball playing ability. Not bad for a guy on the eve of his seventieth birthday. Yes - 70, we counted with our fingers and then politely begged the question.

On this day Marin partly jests with the Filipino tourists, his "is the only orquesta playing in New York on this early Sunday afternoon." The sun was trying to peer through a heavy overcast sky over City Island's Tito Puente's Restaurant.

A bartender and our editor (John), were comparing notes on great golf links as we enjoyed beverages on the stools along the street side bar when the band started playing to the small crowd. The usual swarms of day trippers were scared off by the offending and threatening clouds on this Memorial Day weekend. Oh well, we get to have the band all to ourselves. Marin, lead percussionist, and the other band members, his son, bassist -Orlando Marin, Jr. ;  Congero Pequin, and on keyboard – Alfredo “Alfredito” Valdez, Jr., came out to enjoy the few minutes of sun that was granted to us by the Mambo Kings harboring in the heavens.

We were later joined by the restaurant’s manager John Arminio, and  a couple of handshakes later and we were in for a history lesson. His band shadowed Tito Puente's in the development and marketing of Mambo. You may know it as Salsa, or even Latin Jazz.            

Go search the web sites, watch the movies, or read the articles for music history; I was most interested in his passionate performances for the residents of our prisons and senior citizen centers.  "It lifts the spirits of the guards, prisoners and the seniors." "Everyone just feels better and happy," he says with a smile. As far as not looking his age, he still practices stick ball, and punishes the handball.  Of course, while this place is hopping on  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday nights, dining during a late brunch at Tito Puente's with  Orlando Marin on site could do all our hearts some good, too.

Beltran Lopez/Enbreve.com

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Last updated 04/04/2007