The history of La Sonora Ponceña is the history of Quique Lucca, (Yauco, Puerto Rico, 12 December 1912 - 9 October 2016). 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.
Jubileo 30
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hace treinta años
Llevándole un mensaje a los latinos
Por la unidad de nuestro pueblo hermano
¿Cómo?
De Berlín hasta Hong Kong
Desde la Perla Sureña
Viene la Ponceña con sabor
Son treinta años, señores
Treinta años de leyenda
Pero brindándole con sabor
Nuestra música sureña
De Berlín hasta Hong Kong
De Colombia a Nueva York
Desde la Perla Sureña
Viene la Ponceña con sabor
Oye bien, este sabor que ha quedado
Con todito el bailador
Pero lo bailan allá en la China, eh
Y lo bailan en Hong Kong, sabrosón
De Berlín hasta Hong Kong, ay de Berlin
De Colombia a Nueva York, ay bobolón
Desde la Perla Sureña
Viene la Ponceña con sabor
Ave María
¡Qué bueno está esto!
Es que le traigo mi son ache
(La Sonora toca con cache)
Eh, de cantarle a mi gente nunca me cansaré
(La Sonora toca con cache)
Es que le cantamos con salsa
(La Sonora toca con cache)
Son treinta años cantándole a mi gente
(La Sonora toca con cache)
Como la salsa de la Ponceña no hay dos, ya tú lo ves
(La Sonora toca con cache)
Que la Sonora toca como es
(La Sonora toca con cache)
¡Qué rico!
Aprovecha que esto está chevere
Chevere, chevere
Chevere
Ay chevere y chevere
Chevere
Que tú y yo na' más
Ay Chevere
La pasaremos bien chevere
Chevere
Que si me pides la vida
Ay chevere
Ay, yo la vida te doy
Chevere
Las mujeres son de azucar
Ay Chevere
Siente el ritmo con sabor
Ay no má'
Qué Saoco
¿Cómo?
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie, no
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie
Pero que déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie
No no no no no no no no no, que no me pasa nadie
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie
Entra para que pruebes
Tú verás qué sabroso
Déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Pero déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Deja que coja la pruebita, si si deja que coja la pruebita
Déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Bájalo bien, bájalo bien como tú sabe
Déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
¿Cómo?
Con este swing cualquiera
Ahí no má'
Se me van los pies
Que se me van los pies
Se me van los pies
Mira, se me van los pies
Se me van los pies
Desde Ponce hasta Mayaguez
Se me van los pies
Con la Sonora Ponceña, yo llegué
Se me van los pies
Que mira, se me van, se me van
Se me van los pies
Que mira se me van los pies
Y esto sigue
Ponle sabrosura
Con cache
Qué rico es
Con cache
Qué sabroso
Con cache
Aquí queda demostrado
Con cache
Esta historia que canté
Con cache
Son treinta años de historia
Con cache
Con sabor y con cache
Gracias mi gente
The lyrics of Sonora Ponceña's song Jubileo 30 celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the band's message of unity among Latinos. The song highlights the band's journey from Berlin to Hong Kong, from Colombia to New York, to bring their Southern-style music to the world. The lyrics emphasize the uniqueness of their music and the enjoyment it brings to audiences all over the world, including China and Hong Kong, where people embrace and dance to their sabor.
The band expresses their passion for their music, always bringing their best performances to their loyal fans throughout the years. The lyrics help listeners understand the significance of the band's longevity in the music industry and the impact they have had on Latin music. The song also showcases the band's sense of humor, inviting listeners to try their casabe (a type of bread) and making playful remarks that "no one can pass through the kitchen door," but they should try the band's food.
Overall, the song Jubileo 30 is a heartfelt celebration of Sonora Ponceña's music, legacy, and cultural impact throughout the years. It exemplifies the band's impeccable blend of Southern-style salsa and other Latin music genres, making them one of the most iconic Latin music bands in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
A gozar
Let's have fun
Hace treinta años
Thirty years ago
Llevándole un mensaje a los latinos
Bringing a message to the Latinos
Por la unidad de nuestro pueblo hermano
For the unity of our brotherly people
De Berlín hasta Hong Kong
From Berlin to Hong Kong
De Colombia a Nueva York
From Colombia to New York
Desde la Perla Sureña
From the Southern Pearl
Viene la Ponceña con sabor
Ponceña comes with flavor
Son treinta años, señores
It's been thirty years, gentlemen
Treinta años de leyenda
Thirty years of legend
Pero brindándole con sabor
But offering it with flavor
Nuestra música sureña
Our southern music
Oye bien, este sabor que ha quedado
Listen well, this flavor has remained
Con todito el bailador
With every dancer
Pero lo bailan allá en la China, eh
But they dance it over in China, eh
Y lo bailan en Hong Kong, sabrosón
And they dance it in Hong Kong, flavorsome
Ave María
Goodness gracious
¡Qué bueno está esto!
This is so good!
Es que le traigo mi son ache
I bring you my upbeat son
(La Sonora toca con cache)
(The Sonora plays with style)
Eh, de cantarle a mi gente nunca me cansaré
I will never tire of singing to my people
Es que le cantamos con salsa
We sing it with salsa
Son treinta años cantándole a mi gente
We've been singing to our people for thirty years
Como la salsa de la Ponceña no hay dos, ya tú lo ves
There's no other salsa like Ponceña's, you see it already
Que la Sonora toca como es
The Sonora plays it as it is
¡Qué rico!
How delicious!
Aprovecha que esto está chevere
Take advantage of how cool this is
Chevere, chevere
Cool, cool
Ay chevere y chevere
Oh, cool and cool
Que tú y yo na' más
Just you and me
Ay Chevere
Oh, cool
La pasaremos bien chevere
We'll have a great time, cool
Que si me pides la vida
That if you ask me for my life
Ay chevere
Oh, cool
Ay, yo la vida te doy
Oh, I'll give you my life
Las mujeres son de azucar
Women are made of sugar
Ay Chevere
Oh, cool
Siente el ritmo con sabor
Feel the rhythm with flavor
Ay no má'
Oh, man
Qué Saoco
How savory
Por la puerta'e la cocina no me pasa nadie
Nobody passes through the kitchen door
Pero que déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
But let them taste my cassava bread
No no no no no no no no no, que no me pasa nadie
No no no no no no no no no, nobody passes through
Entra para que pruebes
Come in and taste it
Tú verás qué sabroso
You'll see how tasty it is
Déjalo que pruebe mi casabe
Let them taste my cassava bread
Deja que coja la pruebita, si si deja que coja la pruebita
Let them have a little taste, yes yes, let them have a little taste
Bájalo bien, bájalo bien como tú sabe
Lower it slow, lower it slow like you know how
¿Cómo?
What?
Con este swing cualquiera
With this swing, anyone can do it
Ahí no má'
Oh, there you go
Se me van los pies
My feet are moving
Mira, se me van los pies
Look, my feet are moving
Desde Ponce hasta Mayaguez
From Ponce to Mayaguez
Con la Sonora Ponceña, yo llegué
With Sonora Ponceña, I arrived
Que mira, se me van, se me van
See, they're moving, moving
Y esto sigue
And this continues
Ponle sabrosura
Add some flavor to it
Con cache
With style
Qué rico es
How delicious it is
¡Gracias mi gente!
Thank you, my people!
Writer(s): Edwin Crespo
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.