Guest author Omar Torres-Kortright, the executive director of the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, writes about the Chicago salsa scene and how Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra made history 20 years ago with their Grammy nomination.

When we talk about the rich history of salsa music in the United States, it’s hard not to notice Chicago’s absence from the spotlight. The bustling salsa scene in New York City, with its legendary record labels like Fania Records, dominated the narrative during the late 1960s and ’70s, establishing itself as the undisputed salsa capital of North America. Unfortunately, Chicago’s salseros have often found themselves overlooked by the Recording Academy when it comes to recognition. That all changed nearly 20 years ago with a groundbreaking nomination that shimmered like a strobe light on the dance floor and put the eyes of the salsa world on Chicago.

Amid this musical landscape, Latin Street Dancing promoter, professional dancer, and first-time recording producer Andrés Meneses joined forces with the masterful trombonist Angel Meléndez and his swinging 911 Mambo Orchestra.

“I met Angel back in college while hiring bands for events at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. One of the bands we brought in was La Confidencia, which featured Angel Meléndez,” Meneses recalls.

Celia Cruz performing at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, in 1982. La Confidencia was her backing band that night with Angel Meléndez on trombone. ST-30002632-0012, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM

La Confidencia, led by Polish American trumpet player Richard Straka, captivated Chicago’s dance halls for more than two decades, backing grand musical acts, including the “Queen of Salsa” herself, Celia Cruz. Other local bands like La Mafia del Ritmo, Shorty Ramírez & Orchestra, La Nativa, Típica Leal, and Típica 78 emerged in the early days to keep the salsa flame alive, but these groups struggled to survive into the late ’80’s and ’90s.

Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra performing at WGN TV studios. Photograph courtesy of Andrés Meneses.

“In La Confidencia, Angel was the trombone player, and the late Mike Maldonado was the singer. We hit it off immediately,” Meneses remembers fondly. When Andrés approached Angel about creating a demo for the 911 Mambo Orchestra, he knew that his reputation for bringing together top talent would shine in their ambitious 20-piece project. “As a music teacher, Angel was amazing at maintaining a high caliber of musicianship. He always drew from a talented pool of young musicians, elevating them to new heights.”

Mambo contestant Ray Martin leaps in the air while his partner, Lorraine Tovall, keeps the beat during auditions for the Sun-Times Harvest Moon Festival at the Sheraton Hotel, 505 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, on November 9, 1954. ST-17601270, Sun-Times collection, CHM

Eager to capture the classic big band sound synonymous with the 1950s Mambo era, Meneses and Meléndez sought the expertise of Jon Fausty, a legendary Fania Records sound engineer. Fausty was thrilled about the project and committed himself to recording all the musicians simultaneously—just like in the golden days of salsa. This approach served a dual purpose: to recreate that authentic big band mambo sound and to make the most of their recording budget.

The Grammy-nominated album, Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra (2005).

However, Fausty had one stipulation: the album must be sent to the Grammys for consideration in the fiercely competitive Best Traditional Tropical Album category. This is how what was originally intended to serve as a demo to promote the band, became the first ever Grammy nomination for a Chicago-based salsa project.

The CD release party at The Chicago International Salsa Congress with Jimmy Bosch and Angel Meléndez on trombone, February 16, 2004. Photograph courtesy of Andrés Meneses.

Reflecting on that journey, Meneses describes the experience of working with Fausty as profoundly educational. He credits Fausty’s genius at the soundboard as instrumental to the success of their project. Today, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra’s historic 2004 Grammy nomination, it’s vital to acknowledge the significant role Chicago plays in the salsa tapestry of America. This moment not only showcased the talent brewing in the Windy City but also solidified its place in the broader salsa narrative—a side of the story that deserves to be told.

Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra performing in 2016. Photograph courtesy of Andrés Meneses.