La Sonora Ponceña and Grupo Niche, among the well-known salseros who mourn the death of Ismael Rivera Jr.

Outstanding figures of salsa, among them, Andy Montañez and La Sonora Ponceñaexpressed this Sunday their regret after the death of the Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera Jr. firstborn of the legendary salsero of the same name.

On one occasion, Rivera Jr., as well as Andicito, one of Montañez’s sons, and “Puchi” Rodríguez, son of the also deceased singer Pellín Rodríguez, recorded the album The children of the famous.

“Losing a child, losing a friend, is not easy. Ismaelito was like Andicito’s brother, his departure affects us, me and many people. My condolences to the family. I love. I’m here for anything. RIP”Montañez said on his social networks.

For its part, Sonora Ponceña, one of the most deeply rooted groups in the tropical genre, joined in the mourning of Rivera Jr., who died on Saturday at the age of 67 after enjoying a walk with his partner and several friends until he began to feel poor health and die of a suspected heart attack.

“Once again we are in mourning for the sudden death of Ismael Rivera Jr (RIP)”maintained the group, directed by the legendary Enrique “Papo” Lucca, on your official Facebook account.

“Lucca and all the personnel that make up the Sonora Ponceña express the most sincere condolences to her family in this difficult moment they are facing and may the Almighty give them the necessary strength to endure it… our prayers are with you,” the orchestra added in its message.

In turn, the Niche group from Colombia, also joined the messages of condolence to the family of Rivera Jr., who is survived by his sons Ismael and Marcos.

“We regret the death of Ismael Rivera Jr. son of the ‘Sonero Mayor’, who continued with his father’s legacy leaving an important mark on salsa”, maintained the Colombian group.

“A lot of strength for his family, followers, friends and our Puerto Rican brothers”the group abounded.

At the same time, the Rafael Cepeda Foundation & the Cepeda Brothers Folklore Group, known for highlighting the indigenous musical genres of bomba and plena, Rivera Jr., known as the heir.

“Jesús Cepeda, together with the Cepeda-Brenes family, joins the sorrow that the family of our great Ismael Rivera Jr. feels for his sudden departure. Our most sincere condolences and solidarity hug to his family and loved ones ”, pointed.

Son of Virginia Fuentes y Rivera, known as “El Sonero Mayor”, Rivera Jr. was born on December 10, 1954 in Santurce, a district of San Juan and a well-known musical and artistic area.

Taking advantage of the experience he saw and heard from his father, in 1977 Rivera Jr. joined the Combo de Cortijo, directed by Rafael Cortijo, his father’s musical teacher.

In this group, Rivera Jr. had the opportunity to be the male voice of the album Master’s Dreamwhile Fe Cortijo was the female performer.

Later, Rivera Jr. recorded the production human fruitin which the theme wall of bronzededicated to his father.

In addition, he participated in the Cortijo y Su Bonche group and worked in the orchestras led by Francisco “Kako” Bastar, Los Hijos de la Salsa, El Combo de Siempre and Jesús Cepeda’s ABC (Arte Boricua Cultura).

Rivera Jr. also participated in the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Christmas special “Sonó, sonó Tite Curet” (2011), on the theme For the farmhouses along with Fe Cortijo, Rafael Cortijo Jr. and Juan Pablo Díaz with the orchestra La PVC.

Since October 2020, the salsa genre has lost several prominent Puerto Rican artists, such as Roberto Roena, Cano Estremera, Tito Rojas, Paquito Guzmán, Tempo Alomar, Miguel Ángel Barcasnegras, better known as “Meñique”, and Jimmie Morales. (I)