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Leyendas de la Bachata: Odilio González & Leonardo Paniagua Together in The Bronx
- Damian Ali
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Two legends of Bachata unite for a historic farewell concert at Hostos Center.
Hostos Center Event featuring (L to R) Diony Chavez, Leonardo Paniagua, Odilio González, Chicho Severino: Hostos Center for the Arts
A living legend of Latin music returns to the Bronx for one final bow. Leyendas de la Bachata, featuring Odilio González and Leonardo Paniagua, takes the stage at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the South Bronx on Saturday, November 1, at 8 p.m. The concert celebrates two of the genre’s earliest pioneers and will be hosted by television presenter Roberto Gerónimo, with guest performances by Chicho Severino and Diony Chávez.
While Odilio González, affectionately known as El Jibarito de Lares, began his musical journey in Puerto Rico, his first New York performance took place right here in the South Bronx at the historic Teatro Puerto Rico. From those early Ansonia Records sessions to a career spanning more than six decades, González became a voice for the Puerto Rican countryside worker, the jíbaro, and a master of the poetic décima.
His songs, such as “El rostro mío” and “Celos sin Motivo,” remain staples of the canción de vellonera, or jukebox song, heard in corner bars and festivals across generations.
Leonardo Paniagua, celebrated as “La Institución,” helped define Bachata’s romantic era in the Dominican Republic. His recordings bridged rural and urban audiences, shaping the modern Bachata sound that would later travel the world. Together, González and Paniagua represent two nations, two traditions, and one shared musical language that speaks to love, longing, and cultural pride.
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Saturday’s concert not only honors that legacy but also serves as González’s farewell performance after more than 65 years on stage. For fans across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Bronx, it’s a moment to reflect on how these artists transformed everyday emotion into timeless song.
And whether or not tickets are still available, Leyendas de la Bachata stands as a cultural milestone for The Bronx, a celebration of two voices that helped shape the soundtracks of entire generations. Sharing their story helps keep that legacy alive, and TalkTeaV is proud to be part of preserving this moment in our borough’s history.
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Hostos Center YouTube Channel
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