Puerto Rico All Stars

The Puerto Rico All Stars (abbr. PRAS) was a legendary salsa & latin jazz ensemble band that was founded in 1977 by Franklin Gregory. Based in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico All Stars (not to be confused with the 1963 namesake band of a similar name the Puerto Rican All-Stars Featuring Kako) were an alternative and rival to the acclaimed New York based Fania All-Stars created by Johnny Pacheco

PRAS produced three albums that were released consecutively on an annual basis between 1977-1979. A fourth return album was released in 1996.

Band member listing

Listed in alphabetical order:

1977 Puerto Rico All Stars
Aldo Torres (Trombone),
Andy Montañez (Background Vocals), Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Augie Antomattei (Trumpet),
Derek Cartagena (Compilation),Eladio Perez (Conga),
Elías Lopés (Arranger),Elías Lopés (Trumpet),
Elliot Romero (Background Vocals),
Endel Dueno (Timbales),
Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gunda Merced (Arranger), Gunda Merced (Trombone),Jesus Sanchez (Engineer),
Jon Fausty (Engineer),Jon Fausty (Mixing),
Jorge Millet (Arranger),
Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julio Anidez (Engineer),
Luigi Texidor (Background Vocals), Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Mario Ortiz (Arranger), Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Marvin Santiago (Background Vocals), Marvin Santiago (Vocals),
Papo Lucas (Arranger), Papo Lucas (Piano),
Paquito Guzmán (Background Vocals), Paquito Guzmán (Vocals),
Polito Huertas (Bass), Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael Ithier (Arranger), Raffi Torres (Trombone),
Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tony Sánchez (Drums)

1978 Puerto Rico All StarsAndy Montañez (Vocals),Domingo Santos (Timbales), Elías Lopés (Trumpet),Gunda Merced (Trombone),
Juan Antonio Pepin (Conga),Juancito Torres (Background Vocals), Juancito Torres (Producer),Juancito Torres (Trumpet), Juancito Torres (Vocals),
Lalo Rodríguez (Vocals), Luigi Texidor (Vocals),
Luiy Maldonada (Trombone), Mario Ortiz (Assistant Producer),Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Mario Roman (Piano),
Papo Clemente (Conga), Paquito Guzmán (Background Vocals),Pepe Guerrero (Marimba), Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),Raffi Torres (Trombone), Ralph Cartagena (Producer),
Tito Allen (Vocals),
Tito Lara (Background Vocals),
Tommy Acevedo (Guitar),
Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Tony Sánchez (Drums),
Wisón Torres, Jr. (Background Vocals),
Yayo el Indio (Vocals)

1979 Puerto Rico All StarsAndy Montañez (Vocals),Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Gilberto Santa Rosa (Vocals),Jorge Millet (Arranger), Lalo Rodríguez (Vocals),
Papo Sanchez (Vocals), Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Sammy Gonzalez (Vocals), Tito Allen (Vocals)

1996 Puerto Rico All StarsAndy Montañez (Performer),Andy Montañez (Vocals),
Angel "Angie" Machado (Trumpet),
Angel Torres (Saxophone),
Celso Clemente (Bongos),
Cheguito Encarnación (Saxophone),
Cuco Sandova (Photography),
Cusi Castillo (Trumpet),
Damaris Mercado (Art Direction),
Darvel Garcia (Background Vocals), Darvel Garcia (Performer),Darvel Garcia (Vocals),
Edwin Mulenze (Bass),
Efraín Hernández (Bass),
Ernesto Sanchez (Saxophone),Frankie Gregory (Concept), Frankie Gregory (Producer),
Furito Rios (Saxophone),
Hector Tricoche (Performer),Hector Tricoche (Vocals),
Hector Veneros (Saxophone),
Jerry Medina (Background Vocals),
Josue Rosado (Background Vocals),
Josue Rosado (Performer), Josue Rosado (Vocals),
Juan "Pericles" Covas (Engineer), Juancito Torres (Trumpet),
Julito Alvarado (Arranger), Julito Alvarado (Trumpet),
Lenny Prieto (Arranger),
Lito Peña (Arranger),
Liza Montañez (Performer), Liza Montañez (Vocals),Louis Garcia (Arranger), Louis Garcia (Director),Louis Garcia (Vocals),
Luis Aquino (Trumpet),
Luis Quevedo (Piano), Mario Ortiz (Arranger),Mario Ortiz (Trumpet),
Omar Santiago Macaya (Design),Phil Austin (Mastering),
Piro Rodriguez (Trumpet),
Primi Cruz (Performer), Primi Cruz (Vocals),Puerto Rico All Stars (Main Performer),
Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Timbales),
Ralph Mercado (Executive Producer), Ray Santos (Arranger),Roberto Jiménez (Saxophone), Ronald Davidson (Design),Tommy Villarini (Trumpet),
Victor Manuelle (Performer),Victor Manuelle (Vocals),
Willie Lopez (Conga)

Discography

Puerto Rico All StarsOriginal Release Date: 1977Re-release Date: August 10, 1992 Label: Combo Records

Los ProfesionalesOriginal Release Date: 1978Re-release Date: August 10, 1992 Label: Combo Records

Tribute To The Messiah Original Release Date: 1979Re-release Date: September 21, 1993 Label: Combo Records

De RegresoOriginal Release Date: March 5, 1996Label: Universal Music Group / RMM Records

References and external links

* [http://www.comborecords.com/cat-labels/combo/puertoricoallstars.htm Combo Records]
* [http://www.myspace.com/puertoricoallstars Official MySpace Page]
* [http://www.herencialatina.com/Rivalidades/rivalidades_en_la_musica_latina.htm Article: Rivalries in Latin Music (In Español)]
* [http://wm11.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll All Music Guide (AMG) Puerto Rico All Stars Album Reviews]