Last month two pivotal figures in New York-based Latin music passed away. One was the key concert promoter and artist manager Ralph Mercado, and the other was bandleader Manny Oquendo.

     I knew Ralphy and most of his family personally, even briefly working for him in the 1990s as the A&R head of a youth-oriented English language dance music division  for his Sony-distributed label RMM Records. But before that we’d met at various Fania All-Star concerts at Madison Square Garden, and also Village Gate and Palladium concerts while  I was either a working newspaper critic or doing corporate  A&R for A&M or Columbia.

     Manny I used to admire onstage as the leader of the band “Libre”, which as it’s name implies blended hooky salsa rhythms with free-jazz improvisation. He wasn’t the first or the only bandleader to do this, but for my money he was the “best”; meaning the most consistantly interesting and entertaining.

     I admired both men, appreciating their individual grace, intelligence, and elegance as gentlemen, as well as their creative influence on the entire arena of commercial salsa.   The tradition of mentoring in Latin music was greatly supported by these two businessmen.  Lots of musicians polished their chops and audience appeal as members of Libre.  Lots of younger promoters and aspiring managers got help and advice from Ralphy; even if only in the form of his inspiring  example, filling Madison Square Garden several times a year  and helping keep New York’s neighborhood Latin dance club scene alive.

     When people we admire die, it is tempting to say/believe their like will never come again.  As unique as I think Ralph and Manny were, I hope their spiritual and intellectual succesors are many, because the world would be much the poorer if it doesn’t manage to produce some equally gifted heirs to such magnificent legacies.