We Like It Like That

JOE BATAAN

A former gang leader who spends several years in prison before starting a band and becoming known as the “King of Latin Soul.”

JOHNNY COLON

The bandleader behind the first boogaloo hit, “Boogaloo Blues,” a controversial song at the time for its chorus “LSD’s got a hold on me.”

RICARDO RAY

A Juilliard trained piano player who along with his singer, Bobby Cruz, records the first known Latin boogaloo “Lookie, Lookie” and goes on to international fame in Latin music.

JIMMY SABATER

The late singer and percussionist for the Joe Cuba Sextet who helps write “Bang Bang,” the first boogaloo song to break through as a national hit.

PETE RODRIGUEZ

The bandleader whose group creates “I Like it Like That,” the biggest Latin boogaloo hit of the 1960s and a chart topper once again when it’s covered in the 1990s.

LARRY HARLOW

A piano player, and self-proclaimed Latin music purist who spends several years in Cuba studying music before returning to New York and becoming one of the biggest salsa bandleaders.

JOEY PASTRANA

The late percussionist and bandleader who trained under Gene Krupa and was behind several boogaloo hits.

HARVEY AVERNE

A musician and producer during the early days of Fania records, who would go on to produce the first Latin record to win a Grammy.

ORLANDO MARIN

Percussionist and bandleader known today as the last mambo king.

TITO RAMOS

Singer originally with the Johnny Colon Orchestra who found success during the boogaloo era with his own group the T&T Band.

ANGEL LEBRON

Bass player for the Lebron Brothers, a popular boogaloo and salsa band.

FELIPE LUCIANO

A poet, political activist and TV and radio personality who credits Latin boogaloo with helping develop his love of Latin music.

AURORA FLORES

A journalist and musician who remembers the sense of pride she felt when she first heard Latin boogaloo on mainstream American radio.

SANDRA MARIA ESTEVES

A writer and poet who recalls joyfully dancing to Latin boogaloo as a teenager.

ALEX MASUCCI

Record executive and brother of Fania records co-founder Jerry Masucci.

OLIVER WANG

A music journalist, critic, sociology professor and Latin boogaloo aficionado.

DJ TURMIX

Originally from Barcelona, DJ Turmix has become New York City’s premier Latin boogaloo DJ.

BOBBITO GARCIA

An acclaimed hip-hop DJ, radio personality, and champion of classic New York Latin music. He is also We Like It Like That’s narrator.

FRANKIE MARTINEZ AND THE ABAKUA AFRO-LATIN DANCE COMPANY

A world-renowned dance company that incorporates Latin boogaloo music and choreography into their performances.

(For more cast members see Credits)