News Release
September 2002

The Bronx Horns to play at Moravian College - October 9

(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) — Moravian College will be swinging to a tight blend of salsa, mambo, cha-cha-cha and Latin jazz when The Bronx Horns perform in Foy Concert Hall on Wednesday, October 9, at 8 p.m. The Bronx Horns are led by mainstays of the Tito Puente Orchestra, including tenor sax and flute player, Mitch Frohman, trumpeter Pete Nater, and alto sax legend Bobby Porcelli. Each has a reputation for virtuosity and excellence in the Latin music field and have performed with the biggest names in Latin jazz and salsa including Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and Eddie Palmieri. The group has performed at prestigious jazz venues nationwide including San Jose Jazz Festival, Marciac Jazz Fest, J.V.C. Jazz Festival and Lincoln Center 'Out of Doors' Festival. The Bronx Horns have earned critical acclaim and devoted fans performing in New York City clubs including The Blue Note and Birdland.

Mitch Frohman, founder and leader of the group, has performed and recorded steadily with Tito Puente for the past 25 years. He has appeared on three of Puente's Grammy Award winning releases: Homenaje a Benny Moore, A Gozar Mi Timbal, and Mambo Birdland. Frohman's original composition "Point East Memories" was featured on Tito's last recording for Concord Records, Special Delivery. Frohman was a featured member of Mango Santamaria's band from 1988 through 1992, and was a featured sax and flute soloist on Mango's three records for Concord Picante.

Alto sax legend, Bobby Porcelli has earned his stellar reputation through years of performing with the biggest names in Latin music. He joined the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra in 1963 and later the Machito Orchestra in 1965. Porcelli began playing with Tito Puente during 1966 and continued on with Puente for over 30 years. He is the only lead alto sax player to have played steadily with the "Big Three" from the Palladium Era (Puente, Machito, and Rodriquez).

Trumpeter Pete Nater began playing professionally in the Latin music scene in 1972 and joined Larry Harlow as a teenager in 1974. Over the past 30 years, Pete has been featured with practically every major Latin orchestra, a testament to his skill and virtuosity. He was the leader and co-founder of Grupo Fascnacion throughout the 1980's (one of the most popular salsa bands of that decade).

The band also includes Oscar Hernandez, who was the piano musical director for Rueben Blades and musical director for Paul Simon's Broadway show, The Capeman. Bassist Bernie Minoso, was Tito Puente's last bass player. Willie Martinez, one of the most in demand drummers in the New York Latin/Jazz, has played with the Chico Offaril Orchestra. Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, is a congas player and original member of "Bobby Rodriguez y la Compania," and a member of Larry Harlow's "Latin Legends." Johnny Rodriquez is a Bongo/Bell/Guiro player, who has played percussion with the Big Three - Tito Puente, Tito Rondriguez, and Machito. Rodriquez is currently the director of the Tito Puente Orchestra.

Foy Concert Hall is located on the Priscilla Payne Hurd Campus, Main and Church streets in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 senior citizens, students, and children 12 and under. For more information, call 610-861-1650 or send an email to music@moravian.edu.