Roberto Piñeiro Jr., bongo player and director of Roberto Piñeiro Jr. and His Sensational Orchestra, stands out in Massachusetts and all of New England for his dedication and commitment to providing a repertoire of interpreted and original songs with the flavorful rhythm of salsa.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Piñeiro, a third-generation bongo player, developed his talent by playing jíbaro music. His passion for native music led him to dream of sharing his culture with all youth. Roberto Piñeiro Jr. and His Sensational Orchestra was created in the summer of 2021 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the city Piñeiro calls home. With the help of his great friend Dino Pérez, the orchestra was formed from the jíbaro musical group that Piñeiro created called the Guajiba and Sharina Ensemble, adding piano, timbales, and winds.
Piñeiro has collaborated with artists who have been nominated for the Latin Grammys such as: El Conjunto Barrio, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, and Israel Tanenbaum. In the salsa genre, Piñeiro has participated and performed with well-known artists such as Hector Tricoche, Papo Sánchez, Eguie Castrillo, and Anthony Colón (singer with Edgar Joel). Others include El Conjunto Clasico, Cita Rodríguez, Brenda K. Starr, El Apollo Sound, Don Perignon y la Puertorriqueña, Luisito Carrión, and many more. In the local salsa scene, Piñeiro has performed with artists and orchestras such as Jesus Pagán Y Su Orquesta, The Latin Heartbeat, Luis Morales and his friends, Dino and His New Sensation, La Perfecta Orchestra, Joe Velez and his Big Band, El Conjunto Barrio, and others.
"With the commitment to rescue the salsa genre so that the public can enjoy and dance to it again is a tough road to follow," comments Piñeiro. "The new genres have taken over everything, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Continuing to spread salsa in all its splendor is the plan."
The mission of Roberto Piñeiro Jr. and His Sensational Orchestra at this moment is to play cover musical themes, paying tribute to the salsa artists and orchestras that made it big in their times. In such a short time, Roberto Piñeiro Jr. and His Sensational Orchestra have earned the respect and acceptance of their fans, musicians, merchants, government entities, and non-profit organizations. Thanks to this acceptance, they are committed to the project of bringing everyone the groove and swing of well-played salsa.