Free the Salsa

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More About

• Victor Manuelle
• Sonero de la Juventud
• El Gran Combo
• Hispanic and Latino Issues
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Puerto Rican-American salsa singer Victor Manuelle has long been called "El Sonero de la Juventud," or "the Sonero of the Youth." There isn't a clear translation for the word sonero, but it suffices to say it is salsa's version of a freestyler. Manuelle has earned the title for his abilities and because he is considered part of the genre's new school. But with 13 studio albums released over nearly 20 years, it seems ridiculous to lump him with the newbies.

After all, for years he has sold millions of copies and frequented the Top 10 realm of Billboard's many Latin charts. Still, when he's compared to salsa institutions such as El Gran Combo, which has been in the game for nearly 50 years, it's easy to see how he got seated at the kids' table.
Sat., March 27, 8:15 p.m., 2010