[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. ORLANDO MARIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, as New York City prepares to host the 48th 
Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, a celebration or Puerto Rican culture 
and heritage, I would like to rise to pay tribute to Mr. Orlando Marin. 
A great Puerto Rican musician, Orlando continues to excite audiences 
with his masterful play that has earned him the title: the Last Mambo 
King.
  Mambo was exploding in the early 50s when a young Orlando, captivated 
by its rhythms, developed a keen interest in Latin percussions. At the 
age of 16, while preparing for a career as a cartoon illustrator at New 
York's prestigious High School of Industrial Arts, he formed a small 
band. The band quickly evolved into a ten-piece orchestra and was the 
first of the Bronx-born Latin Dance ensembles to achieve solid 
commercial success, appearing in such renowned venues as New York's 
fabled Palladium Ballroom. The youthful ensemble, appropriately 
nicknamed La Orquesta de la Juventud (the Orchestra of Youth), included 
14 year old Eddie Palmieri on piano and 15 year old Joe Quijano on 
vocals, both of whom were destined to become Latin Music greats in 
their own right.
  Orlando soon began to emerge as a Mambo star, recording ``Mi Mambo'' 
with the Plus label and ``Arriba Cha Cha Cha'', and ``Let's Go Latin'' 
with Fiesta Records. However, in 1958 his quick assent to stardom was 
interrupted as he was drafted by the U.S. Army to patrol Korea's DMZ as 
part of the U.N. occupation forces. Although stationed in Korea, 
Orlando was determined to keep his music alive. He entered the All Army 
Talent Competition, winning first prize in the Pacific Command. A 
musical tour of Korea and Japan followed, with a trip to Washington DC 
for the finals, capped by a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. `` 
While still in uniform and stationed in California, Orlando once sat in 
for Tito Puente on timbales at the Hollywood Palladium. Years later he 
appeared with Tito at the Palladium, this time each leading his own 
orchestra, and dueling on timbales.
  Following his military service, Orlando returned to New York and was 
featured at various New York dance venues, including the Limbo Lounge 
and the Bronx's renowned Hunts Point Palace.
  Orlando's maturation as an artist became evident with the release of 
the albums: ``Se Te Quemo La Casa'' ``Que Chevere'' and ``Esta en 
Algo'' which included his smash hit ``Aprende a Querer'', hailed by his 
peers to be his best. However, Orlando demonstrated his true musical 
genius when he began to move outside of the familiar Mambo box, 
releasing ``Out of My Mind'', the first Boogaloo album ever recorded, 
and ``Saxaphobia'', which contained arrangements for five saxophones 
but none of the traditionally Latin trumpets.
  Orlando's music is appreciated not only by the denizens of New York's 
traditional Latin dance venues, but also by non-Latin fans throughout 
the five boroughs and beyond. In 1999, the Governor of New York 
presented Orlando with the Bobby Capo Lifetime Achievement Award in 
recognition of his dedication to Latin music and his fans for nearly a 
half century.
  Perhaps what is most impressive about this remarkable musician is his 
willingness to devote time and energy in order to help those who are 
less fortunate than he. Orlando has served as an employment counselor 
for community based organizations, including the National Puerto Rican 
Forum, thereby helping countless young men and women find the road to 
success. In addition, he spends a great deal of his time performing for 
those who cannot come to see him, such as hospital patients, inmates of 
correctional facilities, and nursing home residents throughout the New 
York area.
  Mr. Speaker, for his masterful play, innovative genius, and devotion 
to his fellow man, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. 
Orlando Marin, the Last Mambo King.

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