Louie Romero

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Percussion legend Louie Romero has appeared on five gold records and two platinum records. Born in Brooklyn, he began playing percussion at the age of seven, inspired by his father Juan. Louie began appearing on the New York salsa scene in the 1960s. In 1967, famous trombonist and bandleader Willie Colón asked Louie to join his band after seeing him perform at New York's Broadway Casino.

Louie was soon playing with the best musicians from salsa's famed Fania record label, including Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades. When Colón's band broke up in 1977, Louie continued playing with other Fania groups, eventually recording over 20 albums for the label. He then expanded into folkloric music and jazz, playing with greats like Paquito D'Rivera.

Louie moved to California in the 1980s, seeking a change of pace. In 1994, he formed Mazacote, which quickly gained a reputation as one of San Francisco's finest salsa bands. Now, Louie is proud to release the album fans have been requesting for years: a lively CD that showcases Mazacote's energy, musicianship, and mastery of the style.

Willie Colon: Cosa Nuestra

Read "Cosa Nuestra" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
October 14, 2026

The 1950s and 1960s were years of dynamic change for the island of Puerto Rico, with rapid growth and light industrialization. But widespread unemployment also produced heavy migration to the United States and especially to the New York metropolitan area, the ethnic context in which Willie Colón's salsa was conceived. Colón and singer Hector Lavoe were at the music's forefront. Their collaboration in this recording Cosa Nuestra was especially noteworthy. The recording was a major commercial success and went gold. The ...