Chamber of Deputies will recognize musician Juan Valdez and composer Mario Díaz

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies approved in Tuesday’s session a resolution project through which it recognizes the arranger, musician, composer and Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Valdez Ybet, and another to the composer Mario Díaz, for their successful careers in art and their contributions to Dominican culture. Both legislative initiatives are authored by Congressman Rafael Castillo, who motivated them, arguing that both artists have had an impeccable career, managing to go beyond the Dominican Republic, one composing and making music for different singers and the other making songs for famous salsa and merengue singers.

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Regarding Juan Valdez, his first opportunity as an arranger and pianist was given to him by Los Hermanos Rosario with the merengue El Chicharrón, a song that opened the doors for him in the country’s recording studios. After the death of Pepe Rosario, which occurred on March 19, 1983, they integrated him as a pianist in the orchestra for a few months and traveled to the United States for the first time. That same year he joined the Aramis Camilo and the Secret Organization group, of which he was a pianist and music producer for several years. With this band he arranged the songs El alicate, Hello, Nena, Si la ven and others. With Aramis he also recorded piano in the merengues El motor and Joselyn. His piano has also been captured in songs by Alex Bueno, Sergio Vargas, Plácido Domingo Hijo, Fernando Villalona, Manny Manuel, Olga Tañón, Los Toros Band, The New York Band, Luis Días, Michell, Asdrúbal, Félix Manuel and Félix D’ Óleo, among other artists. He is the composer of the songs by H or by R, by Sergio Vargas; Como nadie, by Alex Bueno; El amor, by Richie Ricardo; Ilusión de amor, by David Kada, and Sirenita and Boquita de cereza, by Pablo Martínez, among others.

Great composer

About the composer Mario Díaz, he said that he has made great musical compositions for merengue and salsa artists from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Colombia. Among his compositions, “El palacio” by Charlie Rodríguez stands out; “Qué me dice usted” by Dioni Fernández, “Por eso” in the voice of the group Triada; “La música” by Pablo Martínez and La Muralla; “Cuánta vida” for Sergio Vargas, among other songs. In the salsa rhythm he wrote “I am not automatic”, for Tommy Oliovencia; “Let’s communicate”, by Oscar de León; “Motorize me”, by Héctor Tricoche; “I’m back”, sung by Willie González; Azúcar negra, for Celia Cruz; Voy a Escarbar tu Cuerpo”, for Lalo Rodríguez and “Amor de Colegio” for Jerry Rivera, among other musical themes.