As we cross the halfway point of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve called on our resident Latin jazz and salsa expert (and host of El Viaje on Saturday nights), David Ortiz, to recommend ten artists for you to listen to. From familiar names to new discoveries, his list is sure to have something for all. Take the trip below, and happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Gilberto Santa Rosa (“El Caballero de la Salsa”)
Known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” Puerto Rican-native Gilberto Santa Rosa became the lead vocalist of the Mario Ortiz Orchestra when he was just fifteen years old. He has stood as one of the most unique salsa singers for over five decades and counting.
“Papo” Vázquez
In his music, trombonist Papo Vázquez, born and raised in the badlands of North Philly, has been forever true to his Puerto Rican roots. Bomba, plena, latin jazz and Afro-boricua sounds below from his horn whenever he performs. Listeners can’t go wrong whether listening to his early recordings with Eddie Palmieri and Conjunto Libre or the latest sounds with his own band, the Mighty Pirates Troubadours.
Eddie Palmieri
The legendary pianist and bandleader may be gone, but his music and fiery sounds will play on till the end of time. Listening to Palmieri, you’ll get a taste of mambo, salsa and Latin jazz and with EP on the 88s you can never miss a beat or the urge to dance.
Tito Puente Jr.
The saying “like father, like son” could never be more correct than when speaking of the legendary Tito Puente and his junior namesake. Being the child of “El Rey de los Timables” can’t be easy (“In my Father’s Shoes” was one of his first recordings), but from Latin jazz and salsa to mambo and cha cha cha, TP Jr does not disappoint.
Marc Anthony
Considered to be one of, if not the, greatest salsa singers of all time, crossover artist Marc Anthony is a multi-time winner at the Grammys and Latin-Grammys alike. And while some American audiences may only be familiar with his 1999 hit “I Need to Know,” his Spanish-language albums continue to be massively successful across the globe.
Arturo Sandoval
Few living artists can boast having recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder and Celia Cruz (just to name a few), but this legendary, Cuban-born piano/trumpet player and composer can make that claim. He blazed his way into the limelight in the 1970s with his group Irakere and has continued an incredible career performing straight ahead jazz, timba and Afro-Cuban jazz to adoring audiences.
Larry Harlow
“El Judillo Maravilloso” is one of the most iconic musicians in the history of Latin music. One of the first artists to sign with Fania Records, his recordings remain influential, with tracks like “Salsa” and “Harlow in Quad” still highly sought after by record collectors.
Ramon “Mongo” Santamaria
The great Mongo Santamaria was a Cuban musician who played the conga and was known for playing not only Afro-Cuban sounds but also charanga, pachanga and the Latin boogaloo. He authored the jazz standard “Afro Blue” and is well-known for tracks like “Sofrito,” “Linda Guajira” and his version of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”
Pedrito Martinez
Percussionist, songwriter, dancer and arranger Pedrito Martinez plays rumba and Afro-Cuban Folkloric music. At his shows, you may see him perform on the congas, timbales, bata drums and the caja (box drum). His 2025 album Ilusion Optica, has been a recent favorite on WRTI.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
This New York band founded in 2002 by Oscar Hernandez and Aaron Levinson plays a mix of salsa, mambo, cha cha cha, Latin jazz and so much more. The complete Latin big band, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra reflects the sounds of the great Latin big bands of the 1950’s-1960s led by artists like Machito, Tito Rodriguez and the aforementioned Tito Puente.
