A member of the Fania All Stars since 1973, Roberto Roena was a master of Latin percussion. In addition to performing with his own band, Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, Roena played bongos and congas for such top-notch Latin performers as Ruben Blades, Tito Cruz, Papo Sanchez, Adalberto Santiago, Elias Lopes, and Julio "Gunda" Merced. Roena initially attracted attention when he accompanied Ismael Rivera on the popular television show El Show de Cortijo y Su Combo. Broadcast daily from 1954 until 1955, the show established Roena as one of Puerto Rico's best percussionists. He remained with the group until 1962 when he joined Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. He formed his own band in 1969, and remained active into the 2000s. Roberto Roena died on September 23, 2021 in Cali, Colombia at the age of 81. ~ Craig Harris