Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound
Roberto Roena Vázquez, born January 16, 1940 in Dulces Labios neighborhood of
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was a percussionist, orchestra leader, and dancer. He
began his career as a dancer, performing with his brother Cuqui on local
television shows such as “La Taberna India” on WKAQ-TV. His breakthrough came
when Rafael Cortijo, impressed by his dancing skills, taught him to play the
bongos and recruited him for his band, Cortijo y Su Combo. Roena was part of
this group from 1956 until 1963, touring extensively across the United States,
Europe, and South America. Following Cortijo's ...
