It was five brothers – Angel, Carlos, Franklin, Jose and Pablo – who began the Salsa band known as Los Hermanos Lebron (the Lebron Brothers), which has now existed for over 40 years.
Then just six days ago they became four, after Pablito, who was the singer of the group for many years, passed away in New York. Yesterday, for El Festival Colombiano (The Colombian Festival) celebrated in the city of Pico Rivera, there were three, with Jose, the pianist, recuperating in New York from a heart surgery he underwent a couple of months ago.
Even with the anxiety they must be carrying in their chest, Carlos, Angel and Franklin Lebron traveled to our city to entertain the hundreds who stayed until 8 pm on a hot day that began many hours earlier. When told how much their presence was appreciated, the bongo player of the group, Carlos, answered: “We Lebron Brothers are responsible. That’s how our father taught us. And Pablito would not have wanted it any other way.”
In Pablo’s memory a minute of silence was held in the arena during which only the sound of a trumpet was heard.
Once the concert began, on stage with the Lebron brothers was vocalist Virgilio Hurtado, who fortunately was approved a visa into the US this time around, unlike March 2009 when the band performed at the Quiet Cannon, in Montebello. Representing the convalescent pianist was his son, Adrian Lebron, playing the trombone and directing the brass section. Also performing were a couple of faces familiar to the Los Angeles audience – local talented musicians who had the pleasure to perform with this amazing group, including trombonist Humberto Ruiz Jr.
The Lebron brothers are originally from Puerto Rico, but their strong ties to Colombia allow Colombianos to feel them as their own. In fact, the conga player, Franklin, actually lives in Colombia. The rest live between Florida and New York. “Even then, we see each other almost every week,” explained Carlos. “Because we travel a lot to perform.”
But just in case there were any doubts about the love the brothers feel towards Colombia, Carlos stood up to sing a lovely song, which lyrics translate this way:
“I fell in love with Colombia
with its people without match.
which knew how to win
my respect and thankfulness.
[…]
I fell in love. With the entire Colombia I fell in love.
I appreciate your attentions and come to honor our Salsa.”
After several songs, some noisily happy, others soft and sentimental, after listening to Carlos’s warm words and hearing the nostalgia in Angel’s voice, the show ended and with it a full day of music, dance, and celebration.
The many musical numbers and dance performances presented throughout the El Festival Colombiano took away everyone’s energy, but Los Hermanos Lebron took a bit of our heart.
Rest in peace Pablito. Get well soon Jose. And here’s to having Los Hermanos Lebron many times more with us in Los Angeles!
Los Hermanos Lebron at El Festival Colombiano 2010
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