Orquesta Broadway

Formed as a charanga ensemble built around flute, violins, rhythm section and voices, Orquesta Broadway originated in 1962 when Eddy Zervigón—born 7 July 1940 in Güines, Cuba—and Roberto Torres joined forces to create one of New York’s most enduring groups in the style. Eddy’s twin brother Ruddy, a violinist, stood among the founding members, while the youngest sibling, Kelvin, began on güiro before shifting to piano. At fifteen Eddy abandoned the piccolo for flute after Richard Egües, the celebrated flautist of Orquesta Aragón, offered guidance. In 1958 Eddy and Ruddy jointly directed La Ideal; two years later, following José Fajardo’s departure from Cuba, Eddy took his chair in the renamed Estrellas Cubanas. Eddy himself left Cuba in April 1962, spent four months in Miami fronting Ritmo De Estrellas, then settled in New York, where he performed with Johnny Pacheco, Arsenio Rodríguez, Joe Valle, Lou Pérez, Félix ‘Pupi’ Legarreta, Alfredito Valdés and additional artists.

Eddy and Torres shared an East Harlem building and rehearsed in Eddy’s apartment, drawing accompanists from surrounding streets. A promoter eventually christened the ensemble Orquesta Broadway because most members resided near the thoroughfare. Their debut single, Dengue, appeared on the Gema label in 1964 and featured the hit cha cha “Como Camina Maria.” Four albums issued between 1965 and 1968 strengthened their standing among the city’s leading ten bands; Charlie Palmieri later credited them with prompting his move from strings and flute to brass. The 1972 release Como Me Gusta yielded the hit “Pa’ Africa,” written in anticipation of an African tour. The group reached the Ivory Coast and Paris in 1973 and Senegal the following year.

A violent robbery that endangered his three-year-old son led Eddy, accompanied by four fellow musicians, to relocate to Miami in 1974. During their absence, ex-Broadway pianist Gil Suarez directed Típica Ideal, which filled the gap with two notable albums: Vamonos Pa’Senegal Para Bailar Y Gozar (1976), showcasing tenor saxophonist/violinist José ‘Chombo’ Silva (born in Baracoa, Oriente Province, Cuba), and Fuera Del Mundo/Out Of This World (1978), produced by Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz. Típica Ideal’s vocalist and co-leader Victor Velázquez, born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, brought experience from Vicentico Valdés’ band, Orlando Marín, Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Louie Ramírez, Machito’s orchestra and the Alegre All-Stars; the group’s flautist was George Castro, previously with Eddie Palmieri’s La Perfecta.

Broadway returned to New York in 1975 after work in Miami proved scarce. Signed to Coco Records, they issued four albums from 1975 to 1981. Pasaporte (1976), produced by trombonist Barry Rogers, boosted their profile, and in 1977 they became the city’s busiest band, performing fifteen dances weekly, including five on Saturdays. Their 1978 album New York City Salsa introduced Cuban trumpeter Roberto Rodríguez (died 1988). Footage of Rodríguez with Broadway at the Corso Ballroom appeared in Jeremy Marre’s 1979 television documentary Salsa. Throughout 1980 and 1981 Eddy, Ruddy, Kelvin and other members participated in several Roberto Torres productions for the SAR, Guajiro and Neon labels, among them Roberto Torres Presenta: Ritmo De Estrellas (1980), Charanga Colonial (1981) and the two-volume SAR All Stars Recorded Live In Club Ochentas (1981). In 1982 the band released Orquesta Broadway Loves New York on its own B’way Records imprint and won the Festival de Orquestas in Cali, Colombia. Before their 1987 album they maintained a steady presence on Al Angeloro’s WBAI program Montuno and Max Salazar’s WKCR show The Latin Musicians Show.