Papo LuccaEnrique Arsenio Lucca Quiñonez, better known as Papo Lucca(“Papo” a being common Puerto Rican slang for “junior”), is aPuerto Rican multi-instrumentalist best known for his pianistskills. His main musical genres are Salsa and Latin Jazz. Heranks with the late Charlie Palmieri, as one of the best piano

instrumentalists in Latin Jazz and Salsa.[citation needed] He is theco-founder with his father Don Enrique “Quique” LuccaCaraballo of the Puerto Rican band La Sonora Ponceña. He hasalso played and recorded with the Fania All-Stars, HectorLavoe, Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, BobbyValentín, Ismael Quintana, Gloria Estefan, Adalberto Santiago,Andy Montañez, Pablo Milanés, and Rubén Blades. He is also awell-known music arranger.

With his dynamic piano playing and unique approach to salsa,Papo Lucca has led his band, Sonora Ponceña, to the forefrontof Latin music. Inheriting the group from his father, Luccahas continued to inspire Sonora Ponceña with his innovativeplaying. While Rubén Blades called Lucca, “the best pianist inthe world”, Cuban pianist Ruben Gonzalez explained, “of non-Cuban pianists, I most admire (Lucca) because his salsa isvery close to son. Son piano is more varied than salsa pianowhich is more formulaic and holds on to a single riff muchlonger.”

Lucca has been involved with music most of his life. A nativeof Ponce, a small city on the southern coast of Puerto Rico,he began studying at the city’s Free School of Music at theage of six. In addition to being trained in solfeggio, hestudied piano, clarinet, saxophone, and music theory. A monthafter he enrolled in the school, he performed a classicalpiece on a local radio station. Lucca simultaneously studiedprivately with pianist Ramon Fernandez. With his father’sencouragement, Lucca advanced quickly. Performing with Sonora

Ponceña at the age of eight, he made his recording debut threeyears later, when the group accompanied bolero vocalistsFelipe Rodriguez and Davilita on their album, Al Compas De LasSonoras. At the age of fourteen, Lucca began an “official”member of Sonora Sonora Ponceña.

Throughout the 1950s, Lucca remained active as a musician. Inaddition to playing solo piano on a television show hosted byRuth Fernández, he recorded with Obdulio Morales, OrquestraPanamerica, and Machito. Despite his busy schedule, Luccafound time to continue his formal studies. Graduating from theUniversity of Puerto Rico, he went on to study at theConservatory of Music. His first opportunity to showcase histalents came in 1976 when he co-produced Sonora Ponceña’salbum, Musical Conquest/Conquista Musical, with Louie Ramirez.Two years later, he produced the group’s album, Explorando, onhis own. Although he’s remained committed to Sonora Ponceña,Lucca has balanced his involvement with a variety of outsideprojects. In 1976, he replaced pianist Larry Harlow in theFania All-Stars. He continued to perform with the group untilthe mid-1990s.

Lucca reached his peak in 1979. Together with Sonora Ponceña,he collaborated with influential Latin vocalist Celia Cruz onan album, La Ceiba, and appeared with Cruz in a televisiondocumentary, Salsa. The same year, he performed on an album,Habana Jam, along with the Fania All-Stars, which was recordedduring a concert in Cuba. Lucca also recorded a solo pianoalbum, Latin Jazz, in 1993.

Discography

With Sonora PonceñaAl Compás de las Sonoras Felipe y Davilita (1954)Hacheros Pa’ Un Palo (1968)Fuego en el 23! (1969)

Algo de Locura (1971)Navidad Criolla (1971)De Puerto Rico a New York (1972)Sonora Ponceña (1972)Sabor Sureño (1974)Tiene Pimienta (1975)Conquista Musical (1976)El Gigante del Sur (1977)La Orquesta de Mi Tierra (1978)Explorando (1978)La Ceiba with Celia Cruz (1979)New Heights (1980)Unchained Force (1980)Night Rider (1981)Determination (1982)Future (1984)Jubilee (1985)Back To Work (1987)On The Right Track (1988)Into The 1990s (1990})Merry Christmas (1991)Guerreando (1992)Birthday Party (1993)Apretando (1995)On Target (1998)45° Aniversario (2001)Back To The Road (2004)50 Aniversario En Vivo Vol. 1 (2007)50 Aniversario En Vivo Vol. 2 (2008)Otra Navidad Criolla (2008)

CompilationsLo Mejor de la Sonora Ponceña (1975)30th Anniversary Vol. 1 (1985)30th Anniversary Vol. 2 (1985)Soul of Puerto Rico (1993)

Opening Doors (1994)Puro Sabor (2000)Grandes Éxitos (2002)Pa’l Bailador: 45 Años de Historia (2005)La Herencia (2007)

With Ismael QuintanaMucho Talento (1980)

Other worksCelia, Justo, Johnny & Papo: Recordando el Ayer (1976)Puerto Rico All Stars (1976)Pete y Papo (1993)Latin Jazz (1993)Los Originales: Azuquita y Papo Lucca (1994)De Aquí Pa’ Lla (1994)Papo, Alfredo de la Fe y Sexteto Típico de Cuba (1997)Papo Lucca And The Cuban-Jazz All-Stars (1998)Festival de Boleros (2002)

As Member of The Fania All-StarsDelicate and Jumpy (1976)A Tribute To Tito Rodríguez (1976)Rhythm Machine (1977)Fania All Stars Live (1978)Spanish Fever (1978)Habana Jam (1979)Cross Over (1979)Commitment (1980)California Jam (1980)Social Change (1981)Latin Connection (1981)Lo Que Pide la Gente (1984)Viva la Charanga (1986)

Bamboleo (1988)Guasasa (1989)Live in Puerto Rico June 11, 1994 (1995)Viva Colombia (1996)Bravo ’97 (1997)

VideographyFania All-Stars Live in Puerto Rico June 11, 1994 (1995)Sonora Ponceña 45 Aniversario Live (2004)50 Aniversario, En Vivo (2007)

Videos:

Credits:

Year Album Artist

2013The AbsoluteCollection

Celia Cruz Composer

2012“Live” In PuertoRico: June 11,

1994

Fania All-Stars

Piano,Soloist

2012Desde Nueva Yorka Puerto Rico

EddieMontalvo

Arreglos

2012 RetroMarlowRosado

PrimaryArtist

2011 Aires de Navidad N’KlabeFeaturedArtist

2010 Instinto Grupo GalePiano,Soloist

2010Lo Esencial de

FaniaPrimaryArtist

Year Album Artist

2010Ponte Duro: TheFania All Stars

Story

Fania All-Stars

Composer,Piano, Vocals

2009 55 AniversarioLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

200955 Aniversario

¡En Vivo! Parte 1La SonoraPonceña

Arreglos,Composer

2009Tributo 45Aniversario

Mario E.Ortiz

Piano,Soloist

2008 35 AniversarioBobby

ValentínGuest Artist,

Piano

2008Beginner’s Guideto Salsa 2008

Arranger

2008 Greatest Hits Celia Cruz

FeaturedArtist,PrimaryArtist

2008Otra Navidad

CriollaLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Director,ExecutiveProducer,Mezcla,Piano,

Synthesizer

2008 Pa’LanteWilly

Chirino

Piano,PrimaryArtist,Soloist

2008 Pulpo’s Hot Bread Pulpo Arranger

Year Album Artist

2007 90 MillasGloriaEstefan

AdditionalPersonnel,Featured

Artist, GuestArtist,Piano,PrimaryArtist

2007Essential Guide

to LatinPrimaryArtist

2007 La Herencia Papo LuccaPrimaryArtist

2007 La HerenciaIsmaelQuintana

Composer

2007La Historia: The

Hit ListWillie Colón

Piano,PrimaryArtist

2006 3 Zaperoko Arranger

2006Cali Concert

[DVD]Fania All-

StarsGuest Artist

2006 Guayacan XtremoOrquestaGuayacán

Piano,Soloist

2006Pasos Gigantes[Bonus DVD]

PequeñoJohnny

Guest Artist,Piano

2006Salsa Picante,

Vol. 1PrimaryArtist

2005A Rough Guide to

Celia CruzCelia Cruz

MainPersonnel,PrimaryArtist

Year Album Artist

2005 Entre AmigosJohnnyPacheco

Arranger,Guest Artist,

Piano

2005Essential Guide

to Salsa

MusicalDirection,

Piano

2005

Riesling Lounge:Smooth Vibes for

a LovelyAtmosphere

Composer

2005Strictly

Ballroom, Vol. 3Composer

2005Tribute to Fania

All StarsGerardoRosales

Arranger

2004 La Experiencia Celia CruzPrimaryArtist

2004Most Wanted:Mambo & Salsa

Composer

2004Salsa Legende:Best of Latin

Jazz

PrimaryArtist

2003 Baila Contigo T.M.C.Quotes

Researched &Compiled

2003Cuban All Jazz[Tropical]

Piano

2003Mis 30 Mejores

CancionesRey Ruiz Arranger

2002Colleción De Oro:Perdoname…Exitos!

GilbertoSanta Rosa

Arranger

2002 CubacanFranciscoAguabella

Composer

Year Album Artist

2002 JammingLuis

“Perico”Ortíz

Piano

2002 ParadiseHumbertoRamírez

Piano

2002Que Pasa?: TheBest of Fania

All-Stars

Fania All-Stars

Keyboards,Piano

2001 Alberto Y RicardoRicardo YAlberto

Arranger,Piano

2001 El CanarioJosé “ElCanario”Alberto

Arranger,Piano

2001 EncoreRobertoBlades

Arranger,Piano

2001La Negra Tiene

TumbaoCelia Cruz

Arranger,Piano

2001 Legends of Salsa Celia CruzPerformer,PrimaryArtist

2001 Pa’ los TreserosNelsonGonzalez

Piano

2001Sembra Y OtrosFavoritos SalsaPara Siempre

Rubén Blades Piano

2000 45 AniversarioLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

2000 Alma CaribeñaGloriaEstefan

Arranger,Arreglos,

Guest Artist,Piano

Year Album Artist

2000 Fania SuperhitsComposer,Producer

2000Latin Spectrum,

Vol. 2PrimaryArtist

2000 Mas Libre Plena Libre Piano

2000 Puro SaborLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

2000Top Latino 2000[12 Tracks]

Arranger

2000 World of LatinoPrimaryArtist

2000 Yo SoyYuri

BuenaventuraPiano

1999 20th AnniversaryGilbertoSanta Rosa

Arranger

1999Afro-Cuban

Grooves, Vol. 4[Melodie]

Piano

1999Back to the

FutureWillieRosario

Guest Artist

1999 Best FriendsGiovanniHidalgo

Arranger,Piano

1999Cuban Jazz AllStars, Vol. 1

Papo LuccaPrimaryArtist

1999El Sexteto Tipica

de CubaPapo Lucca

PrimaryArtist

1999 Pete & PapoPete “ElConde”

Rodríguez

PrimaryArtist

1999Presents…PuertoRico Jazz Jam

HumbertoRamírez

Guest Artist

Year Album Artist

1999The AbsoluteCollection

Celia CruzComposer,FeaturedArtist

1998 Dance with Me Arranger

1998 On TargetLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Engineer,Mixing,Producer

1997Afro Cuban

Grooves, Vol. 2PrimaryArtist

1997 Bravo 97Fania All-

StarsArranger,Piano

1997 Buena HoraRobertoBlades

Arranger,Piano

1997 Greatest HitsCheo

FelicianoArranger

1997

Nu Yorica 2!:Further

Adventures inLatin Music

Chango in the NewWorld

Piano

1997Roberto Roena ySu Apollo Sound:Mi Música 1997

RobertoRoena

Arranger,Piano

1997 Una Mujer Como Yo AlbitaArranger,Piano

Year Album Artist

1996

20 Anniversary ofthe NY SalsaFestival:1975-1995

Arranger

1996 Destino Rey Ruiz Arranger

1996Salsa Fresca!

Dance Hits of the’90s

Arranger

1995Amor, Vida ySentimiento

IsmaelQuintana

Piano

1995Fania Latin Jazz

PartyFania All-

Stars

Performer,PrimaryArtist

1995 Ismael QuintanaIsmaelQuintana

Arranger,Piano

1995Live: June

11-1994, PuertoRico

Fania All-Stars

Member ofAttributedArtist,Piano,Soloist,Unknown

ContributorRole

1995Marcando laDiferencia

OrquestaGuayacán

Guest Artist,Piano

1995 PresenciaJusto

Betancourt

Arranger,Musical

Director,Piano

1994 Birthday PartyLa SonoraPonceña

Producer

Year Album Artist

1994Historia de LaRitmo, Vol. 2

RitmoOriental

Arranger

1994 Latin Jazz Papo Lucca

Arranger,Composer,Director,Mezcla,Piano,PrimaryArtist,

Producer,Sintetizador

1994Recordando El

AyerCelia Cruz

MainPersonnel,Piano,PrimaryArtist

1994 Tiempo NuevoJosé

NoguerasArranger

1993Azucar!

[Fania/Charly]Celia Cruz Composer

1993 Daniel Danny Rivera

Arranger,Director,Keyboards,Piano,Producer

1993Distinto yDiferente

JustoBetancourt

Arranger

1993Hecho en Puerto

RicoWillie Colón

Keyboards,Piano

1993 Lo SabemosJusto

BetancourtArranger,Piano

1993 Nace AquíGilbertoSanta Rosa

Arranger,Mixing

Year Album Artist

1993Que Suerte HeTiendo de Nacer

RobertoRoena

Arranger

1993Soul of Puerto

RicoLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

1993 Viento del Sur Luis Cobos Piano

1992A Dos Tiempos de

un TiempoGilbertoSanta Rosa

Guest Artist,Piano

1992 Jazz ProjectHumbertoRamírez

Piano

1992 Mucho TalentoIsmaelQuintana

Arranger,Composer,Percussion,Performer,PrimaryArtist,Producer

1991 CantandoCheo

Feliciano

Guest Artist,Performer,

Piano

1991Hasta La Ultima

GotaIsmaelMiranda

Arranger

1991No Me Vuelvo a

EnamorarHermanosMoreno

Director,Mixing,Piano,Producer

1990 El ReyPete “ElConde”

Rodríguez

Arranger,Main

Personnel,Piano

Year Album Artist

1989 GuasasaFania All-

Stars

Arranger,Keyboards,

MainPersonnel,

Piano

1988 BamboleoFania All-

Stars

Member ofAttributed

Artist, Piano

1988On the Right

TrackLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Composer,Director,Flugelhorn,

Piano,Producer,Synthesizer

1986 Viva La CharangaFania All-

StarsPiano

198530th Anniversary,

Vol. 2La SonoraPonceña

Composer

1985 JubileeLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Choir/Chorus,Director,

MainPersonnel,Piano,Producer

Year Album Artist

1984 FutureLa SonoraPonceña

AdditionalPersonnel,Arranger,Audio

Production,Choir/Chorus,Composer,Director,Flugelhorn,Musical

Director,Piano,

Producer,Vocals,Vocals

(Background)

1984Lo Que Pide La

GenteFania All-

Stars

Arranger,Composer,Member ofAttributed

Artist, Piano

1982 CalidadAdalbertoSantiago

Arranger,Audio

Production,Main

Personnel,Musical

Direction,Piano,Producer

Year Album Artist

1982 DeterminationLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Choir/Chorus,Director,

MainPersonnel,Piano,

Producer,Vocals

(Background)

1982Super Apollo

47:50RobertoRoena

MainPersonnel,

Piano

1981 Latin ConnectionFania All-

StarsPiano

1981 Night RaiderLa SonoraPonceña

AudioProduction,

Bata,Composer,Drums, MainPersonnel,Piano,

Producer,Soloist

1981 Social ChangeFania All-

Stars

UnknownContributor

Role

Year Album Artist

1980 California JamFania All-

Stars

Choir/Chorus,Composer,

Group Member,Member ofAttributedArtist,

Piano, Vocals(Background)

1980 Celia/Johnny/Pete Celia Cruz Arranger

1980 CommitmentFania All-

Stars

MainPersonnel,Piano,Soloist

1980 Sentimiento TuCheo

Feliciano

MainPersonnel,Musical

Director,Piano

1980 Unchained ForceLa SonoraPonceña

Composer,Producer

1979 Cross OverFania All-

Stars

MainPersonnel,Musician,Performer,PrimaryArtist

1979El Negrito del

SaborLuigi

TexidorProducer,Recording

Year Album Artist

1979 EnergizedLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Member ofAttributedArtist,Piano,Producer

1979 EstampasCheo

Feliciano

Arranger,RecordingDirector

1979 Habana JamFania All-

StarsPiano

1979 La CeibaLa SonoraPonceña

AudioProduction,Composer,

MainPersonnel,Musical

Director,Piano,Producer

1979 Los AmigosJohnnyPacheco

MainPersonnel,

Piano

1979 Los DistinguidosJohnnyPacheco

Arranger

1979Super Salsa [New

Generation]

Luis“Perico”Ortíz

Piano

Year Album Artist

1978 El ProgresoRobertoRoena

AdditionalPersonnel,

Guest Artist,Piano, Vocals

1978 ExplorandoLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Main

Personnel,Piano,Producer

1978La Orquesta de Mi

TierraLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Director,Piano,Producer

1978 Live in AfricaFania All-

StarsPiano

1978Salsa Greats,

Vol. 2Arranger,Producer

1978 Spanish FeverFania All-

StarsKeyboards

1978 The Brillante Celia Cruz Arranger

1977 Rhythm MachineFania All-

StarsPiano,Soloist

Year Album Artist

1976 Conquista MusicalLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Audio

Production,Conductor,Member ofAttributedArtist,Piano,

Producer,Synthesizer

1976Delicate and

JumpyFania All-

StarsPiano

1976El Gigante del

SurLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,AssistantProducer,Mixing

1976Este Negro Si Es

Sabroso

Pete “ElConde”

RodríguezArranger

1976 Lucky 7RobertoRoena

Arranger

1976Tribute to Tito

RodriguezFania All-

StarsArranger

1975There Goes theNeighborhood

Mon RiveraMain

Personnel,Piano

1975 Tremendo Caché Celia Cruz

AdditionalPersonnel,Arranger,Piano

1974 Celia & Johnny Celia CruzMain

Personnel,Piano

Year Album Artist

1974 Sabor SureñoLa SonoraPonceña

Piano,Soloist,Tres,

Trumpet,Vibraphone

1974Un Encuentro con

La LupeLa Lupe

Arranger,Conductor

1972Desde Puerto Rico

a Nueva YorkLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Piano, Tres,Vibraphone

1972 La Sonora PoncenaLa SonoraPonceña

Arranger,Composer,

Piano, Tres,Vibraphone

AnthologyLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

Echando CandelaPuerto RicoAll Stars

Musician,Piano,

Sintetizador,Synthesizer

El Gigante SureñoLa SonoraPonceña

Composer

Selecciones Fania Celia CruzComposer,PrimaryArtist

Soy Puerto RicoPuerto RicoAll Stars

Synthesizer

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papo_Lucca