Carnegie Hall's Family
Concerts are one-hour, weekend afternoon concerts designed
for families with children ages 5–10. On Sunday, January
20, Carnegie Hall presents Mambo Mania, a Family Concert featuring
Eguie Castrillo, his orchestra, special guest Gilberto Santa
Rosa, and dancers from Masacote Dance Company. In advance of the
performance, we asked band leader and timbales player Eguie
Castrillo what the audience can expect from this performance and
what Mambo Mania means to him.
When did you first start playing mambo music?
I start playing mambo at the age of 14 when I discovered the
music of Tito Puente!
What does Mambo Mania mean to you?
Mambo Mania is a concept that I've dreamed of for a long
time. It's a Las Vegas–style show with dancers and
the sound and excitement of the Big Band era.
What are you looking forward to in performing this concert,
and what should the audience look forward to in attending
it?
First, I'm looking forward to having fun playing the
music that I love and with the musicians that I love and respect!
We are going to take the audience in a time machine back to the
50s and 60s, where the mambo drives the lives of thousands of
fans and followers. Also, they will learn to dance and feel the
beat in an interactive concert.
This concert is a reunion of some very special performer
friends of yours. Tell us about them and what it means for you
all to perform on the Carnegie Hall stage.
This concert is a very special moment in my life because back
in the 90s, I performed at Carnegie Hall with my idol Tito
Puente, Celia Cruz, and Arturo Sandoval, as part of
Sandoval's Big Band. Now I'm performing with my own
band and as a featured artist. On top of that, I will have the
blessing to share the stage with some of my old pals from my
music school back in Puerto Rico. Gilberto Santa Rosa was one of
those students that always and from the beginning stands up as an
amazing talent. We both start playing trumpet, but as you see
that had a very short life. Humberto Ramirez and Oskar Cartaya
are two of my dear brothers that shared the same classroom and
music passion with me. Cartaya is the godfather of my son Diego.
Arturo Ortiz was responsible for my short adventure in the
trumpet world because he is a very talented musician that not
only plays the piano amazingly but also play the bass and trumpet
as well. He always asked for my trumpet, keeping me from having
to practice the instrument. Thanks, Arturo!
A recent Family Concert. Photo by Chris Lee.
Don’t miss the Mambo Mania Family Concert at Carnegie Hall featuring Eguie Castrillo on January 20 live at Carnegie Hall.
Related:
Family Concert: Mambo Mania