Mario's story...

At the age of six, was my commencement with Latin American
music. It is an experience that I will always cherish. My mother
would mention the Palladium and I recall asking her:
"Mami, que es el Palladium, un Palacio?". She would laugh and
say: "No hijo, es el lugar donde todas las razas se reunen para bailar musica hispana."

During the 50's, Latin Music had no identity like Jazz, Swing and
Rock & Roll. So the word, "Musica Hispana or Latina" were the
norm. I had a first rate education in Latin Music provided at
home. Mom was a Palladium dancer and my brothers and I would
listen to the sounds of Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito.
Also, Charanga and Pachanga were prominent in our household.
We would have weekend apartment parties with invited and
non-invited guests.
Those moments are memorable, because back then, your
neighbors were like family.

The first live musical band I saw was Johnny Pacheco at the old
Club Tropicoro. The Tropicoro was located on Southern Boulevard
and Longwood Ave. My mom was President of the PTA at P.S. 25
and was involved consistently with the community.

The Tropicoro was owned in the 60's by former boxing lightweight
champion, Carlos Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz was involved with the
community and lived in 149th St. and Trinity Ave., the area in the
South Bronx where I was raised.

Across the street was St. Mary's Park where a lot of musicians
would jam in the summer. I enjoyed listening and sometimes
jamming with the percussionist's.

These were fun times, and I would personally advise parents and
grandparents to encourage their off-spring to learn, study and
appreciate our music, OUR LATIN MUSIC.

Mario Camacho