Dominican merengue musician Ramón Orlando is preparing to celebrate 50 years in music with a concert on September 23 at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, featuring more than 70 guest artists including Juan Luis Guerra.
The show, titled "50 años Ramón Orlando y sus amigos" ("50 Years of Ramón Orlando and His Friends"), brings together several generations of performers. Ramón Orlando said the concert was not only for the occasion of his 50 years in music, but for all the fellow artists who have carried Dominican merengue forward and for the Dominican people.
Star-studded lineup
The bill includes major names in merengue such as Sergio Vargas, Pochy Familia, Kinito Méndez, Conjunto Quisqueya, Cuco Valoy, Bonny Cepeda, El Prodigio, Eddy Herrera, Fernando Villalona, Jandy Ventura, Miriam Cruz, Milly Quezada, José Peña Suazo and Los Hermanos Rosario.
The recent confirmation of Juan Luis Guerra, one of the most internationally recognized figures in Dominican music, gave the lineup added weight. Ramón Orlando said it was not simply about adding another major name to the bill, but about what it means to see musicians who have promoted Dominican music from different angles brought together in one place. He said that when the public sees Juan Luis Guerra on stage, it will be bigger than anything else the show could offer.
Ticket demand and rehearsals
Ramón Orlando said he felt fortunate that the public had responded dramatically, with everyone planning to attend. He said ticket sales had surged and that the most sought-after tickets were nearly sold out.
He confirmed that rehearsals were progressing well and that most had already taken place. He said organizers had to be resourceful in giving all 70 artists a chance to perform.
Concert logistics
Ramón Orlando said the gates of the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez would open at 4 p.m., with the show set to begin shortly after 7:30 p.m. He said he would take the stage at exactly 8 p.m., since the event would need to wrap up seven hours later. He added that certain technical issues at the stadium had been resolved.
Reflecting on his five decades in music, he said life requires people to act rightly, plant good intentions in others' hearts, think of others and sow generously, since he believed what a person sows, they reap. He said he was thankful that so many people who had no obligation to help him had offered their support, and described seeing that love from colleagues as the greatest reward of his life. He said he had already celebrated his 50 years before performing a single note, through the love shown to him by people he never expected.
Tributes to late artists
Ramón Orlando repeatedly stressed the importance of the public honoring artists while they are still alive to see it. He named late colleagues including Diómedes, Rubby Pérez and Alex Bueno, saying the concert would pay tribute to those who have died while celebrating those who remain.
Range of musical genres
The broad lineup allows the show to span multiple genres. Frank Reyes will perform in the bachata segment, while José Alberto El Canario, Michel el Buenón and Sexappeal will represent salsa.
Other confirmed guests include Aramis Camilo, Carlos Alfredo Fatule, Carlos David, El Blachy, El Jeffrey, Elvis Crespo, Estefany Constanza, Fénix Ortiz, Henry García, Joseph Fonseca, Josie Esteban, Maridalia Hernández, Martha Heredia, Melina León and Monchy Capricho, among others, along with a long list of urban music performers.
"The concert isn't mine"
Ramón Orlando insisted the show should be understood as a collective celebration. He recalled that fellow artist Krisspy had asked him why he had not been called to perform, and that after he replied that Krisspy was already included, Krisspy told him the concert did not belong to him but to all of them, the people. Ramón Orlando said that was exactly right, that the concert was not his but the people's.
His father and mentor, Cuco Valoy
Ramón Orlando trained musically in La Tribu, the group founded by his father, the legendary artist Cuco Valoy, who will also perform at the concert. He said he was grateful for his father's presence and expressed happiness that God would allow him, when his father takes the stage, to have the whole crowd there to see his father's dream realized. He said his father had seen talent in the young boy in his house, and that they would now be celebrating together because of that boy, calling it one of the greatest gifts his father could receive in his lifetime.
