Johnny Rodriguez
01.13.2025
09.11.1945 – 08.17.2024
JOHN RODRIGUEZ JR. was born September 11, 1945 in NYC’s Eastside Puerto Rican enclave known as “El Barrio” or Spanish Harlem. His father, John “La Vaca Pequeña” Rodriguez Sr., was a highly respected percussionist, in particular on the bongó, who played with well known orchestras like that of pianist Noro Morales. His mother Tati was a well known mambo dancer who eventually hosted her own show on Spanish language TV in the New York area. Both were of Puerto Rican descent. Transversing Harlem’s First, Second, Third, Park, Lexington, Madison, 5th Avenues from 96th to 125th streets, El Barrio received its nom de plum due to the growing immigration of Cubans and migration of Puerto Ricans to the area in the 1930s which came to its height in the post Word War II era. The interaction between African American jazz musicians and their vibrant culture from Harlem’s west side with Cubans and Puerto Ricans and their own rich musical culture on the east side would eventually intersect at the Park Palace Ballroom. Located on E.110th Street and 5th Avenue, the geographic dividing line of both areas, it would give birth to the formation of Machito & The Afro-Cubans who rehearsed and did their first performances there in 1939.
