Today Quique's son, Papo Lucca, directs the band. The band has stayed active for a remarkable amount of time, recording dozens of albums, including a 55th anniversary album. Singers included Tito Gómez.
The history of La Sonora Ponceña is the history of Quique Lucca. In 1928, when he was 16 years old, his family moves to Ponce, Puerto Rico and Quique starts to work as an auto mechanic and starts playing the guitar. In 1932 Quique meets Angélica Quiñones, the future mother of his children, Zulma, Papo y Wanda. In 1944 Quique puts together a band called "El Conjunto Internacional", including three instrumentalists: tumbadora, bongó, vocalist and Quique Lucca at the guitar and second voice. Later, Antonio "Tato" Santaella joined, playing the bongó. On 10 April 1946, Enrique Lucca Jr. ("Papo") was born; he would later become the musical director of "La Sonora". In fact, in 1951, Papo surprised his father and the other members of the "Internacional" band when, at only 5 years old, he joined a band practice and started playing the tumbadora on Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan".
After the band had been inactive for a year, Quique re-established it in 1954 and renamed it "Conjunto Sonora Ponceña". His childhood friend Antonio "Tato" Santaella played bajo de cajón. On 20 April of that year the band plays at its first official dance. In 1956, Vicentivo Morales, joins the band as its first pianist. Later that year, Quique brings young Papo into the band as a pianist. In November 1957, Papo makes its official debut during a dance on the northern shore of the Island. In 1958, La Sonora Ponceña records its first 78 RPM with Avelino Muñoz as pianist. The 78 RPM contained No puede Ser on one side and Tan Linda que Era on the reverse side. Towards the end of 1958, the band goes into recording mode and includes 12-year-old Papo Lucca. The band included its first official vocalist Charlie Martínez. Later on, vocalists Felipe and Davilita would also record bolero-mambo themes such as Noche de Locura. In September 1960, the group played in New York. The group's main attraction was its 12-year-old pianist, Papo Lucca. In 1968 the group started its official recordings on 33 RPM with the song Hacheros Pa' Un Palo.
In 1974, singer Humberto "Tito" Gómez leaves the band after 7 years and 6 recordings. Together with Joe Rodríguez and Mickey Ortíz, Humberto "Tito" Gómez formed La Terrífica. Likewise, in 1977 Edgardo Morales, who played the timbal leaves the band after 7 years and 7 recordings and joins El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. In 1978 singer Luis Guillermo "Luigui" Texidor leves the band after 10 years and 10 recordings to join Bobby Valentín's Orchestra. In 1982 trumpetist Humberto Godineaux leaves the band after 4 years a 6 recordings. Singer Yolanda Rivera also left the band after 7 years and 8 recordings. In 1985, singer Miguel Ortíz retires from the band after 11 years and 12 recordings. On 28 May 1986, the band losses singer Alberto "Toñito" Ledée in a car accident. In 1987, trumpetist Heriberto "Ayatollah" Santiago also retires having 7 years and 5 recordings to his credit. In July 1989, long-time bass player Antonio "Tato" Santaella retired after 21 recordings. Tato played without ever using any musical scores, and singing entirely "by ear". A year later, in 1990, another bass player Efraín "Frao" Hernández retired from the band after 10 years and 7 recordings. In 1990, bongó player Angel Hernández also retired after 14 years and 13 recordings. In 1991, tumbadora player Vicente "Pequeño Johnny" Rivera retires after 16 years with the band. He had performed on 15 of the band's recordings. In 1993, long-time trumpeter Ramón "Tony El Cordovés" Rodríguez retired after 24 recordings. This was followed by the retirement of trumpeter Freddie Del Valle, who had played with the band for 6 years and had participated in 5 recordings.
In 1993, the band played at the Magno Orchestra Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia. The band was awarded the “Congo de Oro” award, given to the best international band. And in October 1994, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 40th anniversary with a festival at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The band would later also play at the Madison Square Garden to bring its celebration to the United States. In 1995, the band did a reunion recording with Luis Guillermo "Luigi" Texidor and Yolanda Rivera who had retired 19 and 14 years earlier, respectively. That same year, they sang in Paris, France, and at the Desfile de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Parade) in Zaragoza, Spain. In 1996 the band plays for the first time in Mexico at the Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico, carnival.
In 2000, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 45th anniversary at the Tito Puente Amphitheater at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico and at the Teatro La Perla in Ponce. They also played in Caracas, Venezuela as part of this 45th anniversary celebration. In the years following 2000, La Sonora Ponceña participated in a large number of events throughout Puerto Rico, including Fiestas Patronales, private parties, graduation parties, and corporate Christmas and holiday parties. In the following years, the band also made presentations in Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Washington, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Panamá, Perú, England, Switzerland and Italy.
For its 50th year anniversary (2004), the band played at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The 12,000 spectators made the show a complete sellout on its presentation day, February 21. The show was broadcast via radio and television.
During its 50th anniversaery show at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, the band was officially recognized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for its musical contributions.
The 23rd “Día Nacional de la Salsa”, celebrated in Carolina, Puerto Rico on 16 March 2004, was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
In Ponce there is a street, in Urb. Estancias del Golf, named after Quique Lucca.
The 2003 "Feria de Turismo", celebrated at Complejo Turístico “La Guancha” in Ponce was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
Yambeque
La Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ere, re, ben ben re, be, ben, le, re
Ere, re, ben ben re, be, re, be, re, e
Ere, re, ben ben re, ben , be, ren, ba
En una rumba
Todos los rumberos
Decían asì
Si era bagual
Que su color
Si era bagual
Yee, eso
Yamba, yambeque
Como mueve la cintura, mamayeè
Yamba, yambeque
La negra baila mira, benquè, al son que es
Yamba, yambeque
Pero yambeque, mueve los piees
Yamba, yambeque
A la bella, a la bella, a la bella, orè
Yamba, yambeque
Ven y dame un consejo claro voltarè
Yamba, yambeque
A la vuelta, baila ben, ben
Yamba, yambeque
Mi rumba si es africana
Yamba, yambeque
Pero repita otra vez
Yamba, yambeque
Si no me quieres, porque me lloras
Yamba, yambeque
Si yo soy bueno con la sonora
Yamba, yambeque
Yambeque, que, cheverè
Yamba, yambeque
Viene la conga
Ahora es
Yambeque rumbero
Bueno ahora es
Ahora es
A todos los rumberos
Le extiendo esta invitaciòn
Ahora es
Yambeque rumbero
Bueno ahora es
Ahora es
Suena mi tambò, suena mi bongòe
Mi yambeque si tiene sabor
Ahora es
Yambeque rumbero
Bueno ahora es
Ahora es
Que cheverèeee
Ahora es
Yambeque rumbero
Bueno ahora es
Ahora es
Ay pero mira, pero entren,
Que caben cien, ¡ah!
Ahora es
Yambeque rumbero
Bueno ahora es
Ahora es
Caliente, caliente
Mi yambeque se siente
Ahí no mà, ahì no mà, mi gente
Claro mi gente vamo a seguir bailando
¡claro que sì!
Pa’quì, pa’llà,
Pa’quì, pa’llà
¡como!
Pa’quì, pa’llà,
¡eso!
Pa’quì, pa’llàaa
Bailan que chévere
Bailar con uds, estoy muy contento
¡esa!
Goza
Rumbero bueno
Tumba y bongòe
Ritmo del yambagò
Cuando alguien escucha mi tambòo
Yo bien siento una emociòn
Goza
Rumbero bueno
Tumba y bongòe
Ritmo del yambagò
Y es que me sale del alma
Esta rica improvisaciòn
Goza
Rumbero bueno
Tumba y bongòe
Ritmo del yambagò
Atacando aparicio
Con los rey desapareció
Entren
Que caben cien
E- entren, entren que caben cien
Entren
Que caben cien
Que hay mucho parado, hay mucho de piè
Entren
Que caben cien
Yo te lo bailo, cosa bella en el mi ben ben
Entren
Que caben cien
Y como lima-perù lo goza, con mucho achèe
Entren
Que caben cien
Entrenen, un poquito màs
Entren
Que caben cien
Eh, eh, eh, de aquí yo no salgo, ya tu lo ves
Entren
Que caben cien
¿dònde estàn los rumberos?
¿dònde estàn?
Sigan buscando, ¿dònde están?
¿dònde estàn?
Pero que rica la rumba
Vengan todos a gozar
¿dònde estàn los rumberos?
¿dònde estàn?
¿en dònde están?¿en dònde están?
¿dònde estàn?
¿en dònde están?¿en dònde están?, ¿en dònde están todos los rumberos?
Dònde estàn los rumberos,
¿dònde estàn?
¿dònde estàn?
Ven para que goces de mi rumba, mi rumba se hìzo pa’gozar
Yambeque, mueve los piès
Eheh
Ahì na màs
The song "Yambeque" by La Sonora Ponceña is a lively tribute to traditional African rhythms, showcasing the band's impressive ability to infuse their music with irresistible energy and groove. The repetitive lyrics of "Ere, re, ben, ben re, ben, be, re" serve as the upbeat foundation of the song, evoking the primal pulse of African drumming. The rest of the lyrics describe a lively dance party ("en una rumba, todos los rumberos") where people are dancing to the rhythm of the yambeque, a traditional Afro-Caribbean dance that involves moving the hips in a circular motion.
Throughout the song, the lyrics encourage listeners to join in the fun and dance along, celebrating the joy of the rhythm and the community that comes together to express it. The repeated refrain of "Yamba, yambeque" is an infectious call to dance that is impossible to resist. The song features the signature percussion-heavy sound of La Sonora Ponceña, with driving rhythms provided by the drums, bongos, and other percussion instruments, punctuated by bursts of horns and other instruments.
Overall, the message of the song is clear: let go of your inhibitions and join in the dance, allowing the rhythm to transport you into a state of pure joy and celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Ere, re, ben, ben re, ben, be, re
Sound of the drums, calling all rumberos to come and dance
En una rumba
At a party, where everyone is dancing and having fun
Todos los rumberos
All the people who came to party and dance
Decían asì
Were saying and shouting so
Que su color
That their color
Si era bagual
Was wild and exciting
Yee, eso
Yes, that's right!
Yamba, yambeque
The rhythm of the drums is called yambeque
Como mueve la cintura, mamayeè
See how she moves her waist, mamayeè
La negra baila mira, benquè, al son que es
The black woman dances to the rhythm of the music
Pero yambeque, mueve los piees
But yambeque makes you move your feet
A la bella, a la bella, a la bella, orè
Dance with the beautiful girl, orè
Ven y dame un consejo claro voltarè
Come and give me clear advice, and I will return
A la vuelta, baila ben, ben
When I come back, dance ben, ben
Mi rumba si es africana
My party is African
Pero repita otra vez
But let's repeat it again
Si no me quieres, porque me lloras
If you don't love me, why are you crying?
Si yo soy bueno con la sonora
I am good with the Sonora band
Yambeque, que, cheverè
Yambeque, how cool it is!
Viene la conga
Here comes the conga drums
Ahora es
Now is the time
Yambeque rumbero
Yambeque rhythm for dancing
Bueno ahora es
Now it's really good!
A todos los rumberos
For all the people who came to dance
Le extiendo esta invitaciòn
I extend this invitation to you
Suena mi tambò, suena mi bongòe
My drum and bongos are playing
Mi yambeque si tiene sabor
My yambeque has flavor
Que cheverèeee
How cool it is!
Ay pero mira, pero entren,
Look, come in and see
Que caben cien, ¡ah!
That a hundred people can fit, oh!
Caliente, caliente
Hot, hot
Mi yambeque se siente
My yambeque is felt
Ahí no màs, ahì no màs, mi gente
That's it, that's it, my people!
Claro mi gente vamo a seguir bailando
Of course, let's keep dancing my people
¡claro que sì!
Of course!
Pa’quì, pa’llà,
This way, that way
¡como!
Like this!
¡eso!
That's it!
Pa’quì, pa’llàaa
This way, that way
Bailan que chévere
Dancing is so cool
Bailar con uds, estoy muy contento
I am very happy to dance with you all
¡esa!
Yeah!
Goza
Enjoy!
Rumbero bueno
Good rumbero
Tumba y bongòe
Drums and bongo
Ritmo del yambagò
Yambagò rhythm
Cuando alguien escucha mi tambòo
When someone hears my drum
Yo bien siento una emociòn
I feel an emotion
Y es que me sale del alma
It comes from my soul
Esta rica improvisaciòn
This delicious improvisation
Atacando aparicio
Attacking Aparicio
Con los rey desapareció
The king disappeared
Entren
Come in
Que caben cien
That a hundred people can fit
E- entren, entren que caben cien
Come in, there's room for one hundred
Que hay mucho parado, hay mucho de piè
There's a lot of standing, a lot of feet
Yo te lo bailo, cosa bella en el mi ben ben
I'll dance for you, beautiful thing in my ben ben
Y como lima-perù lo goza, con mucho achèe
And like Lima, Peru enjoys it, with a lot of achèe
Entrenen, un poquito màs
Come in, a little more
Eh, eh, eh, de aquí yo no salgo, ya tu lo ves
Hey, hey, hey, I'm not leaving here, you already know it
¿dònde estàn los rumberos?
Where are the rumberos?
¿dònde estàn?
Where are they?
Sigan buscando, ¿dònde están?
Keep looking, where are they?
Pero que rica la rumba
But how delicious the party is
Vengan todos a gozar
Come and enjoy everyone
¿en dònde están?
Where are they?
¿en dònde están?
Where are they?
¿en dònde están todos los rumberos?
Where are all the rumberos?
Dònde estàn los rumberos,
Where are the rumberos?
Ven para que goces de mi rumba, mi rumba se hìzo pa’gozar
Come so you can enjoy my party, my party was made to have fun
Yambeque, mueve los piès
Yambeque, move your feet
Eheh
Heh
Ahì na màs
That's it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TITO PUENTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GabrielSantos-tl4py
Esa cancion me ponia a gozar en Georgia, Una China amiga mia la cantaba completa...
@walterlopezsanchez4947
No se que significa YAMBEQUE pero de que la disfruté sí que la disfruté, la bailé en fiestas , también solito frente a las rocolas de los bares donde iba con mis amigos . Tiempos aquellos, gracias S. Ponceña, gracias Luckylouie522
@agustinperea4929
Yo creo que se equivocaron y pisaron ese manito para abajo yo tengo 35 años escuchando yambeque todos los días de mi vida y la seguiré escuchando es la canción de mi vida desayuno como y ceno con ella y lo seguiré haciendo hasta que me muera si no me quieren pa que me lloran !!! Si yo me muero está la sonora yamba yambeque haaaaa que bárbaro papi Luca se lució con este tema y muchos más obvio es un genio pero en especial este tema es increíble he dicho!!!
@FRANCISCOMALLA-se2fx
Soy músico y toco las congas. Llevo ya 8años tocando. El q no baila esta música es porque no tiene zapatos❤🎉😂
@gisellamunozavila6092
Esas 333 personas que le dieron manito abajo esta canción todo bien en casa ?
@joseargueta3285
🤣🤣🤣 asi es
@sofianetrujillo5764
Ya son 399 !!
@anthonysamg7140
Puro reguetonero con mierda en la cabeza ;)
@richardvarona1071
No tienen ni idea de lo que es la sala.
@jonathan4929
Jajajajajja