New Jersey — Journalism often creates opportunities to meet remarkable individuals from every walk of life, and that is something we have experienced for decades. On this occasion, however, we had the privilege of meeting Maestro Frank Valiente at La Fusta Steak House in New Jersey. Since the early days of his artistic career in the early 1970s in nostalgic Buenos Aires, capital of extraordinary Argentina, he has been acclaimed by a distinguished audience captivated by his musical artistry.
Born in Buenos Aires, at the age of 16 he formed and directed his own orchestra, “Los Juveniles del Tango.” He has been based in New York since 1971. By 1974, he had already earned first prize as an orchestrator at the Song Festival in New York. Frank is also the composer of the Argentine Tango Mass.
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In this special face-to-face interview with El Faro Latino, Maestro Frank Valiente shared the exclusive news that his friend, Cuban singer-songwriter Roberto Ledezma, composer of major classics such as Adoro, Where Are You My Love?, Camino del Puente, and I Forgot That I Forgot You, will celebrate his 100th birthday next summer at La Fusta Steak House in New Jersey in what is expected to be a warm and family-oriented gathering.
This encounter with Frank Valiente took place during La Fusta Steak House’s awards celebration in New Jersey, where I had the honor of sharing time with its owner and friend José Miqueo, his son Manuel José Miqueo, in the absence of his beloved wife Grace Miqueo and their younger son José Manuel Miqueo, known professionally as Ricky Ricardo, the iconic Spanish-language announcer for the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as a leading promoter of Trojan House products.
Throughout his long musical journey, Valiente has directed and accompanied numerous top-tier artists, contributing to some of the most enduring romantic hits in Latin music. These performances have featured singers such as Luis Alonso Hernández, Daniel Holodek, and Fernando Pirez, under the musical direction of Maestro Frank Valiente on piano, alongside acclaimed bassist José Velásquez and renowned percussionist Jorge Orta, known as “Crocro,” who together form the live musical trio.
Maestro Frank Valiente has significantly contributed, through his professionalism and talent, to the growth of Latin music in the United States. His achievements earned him recognition from The New York Times in 2010 for his contributions as a musical director, orchestrator, and pianist.
In 2021, Valiente played a key role in major productions such as “Festival del Bolero 2 Century,” where he served as musical director and led the master class for musicians and enthusiasts interested in the techniques and origins of various musical genres across the Americas.
Frank Valiente also maintains a long-standing and meaningful connection with Dominican art and culture.
In this brief but memorable conversation with El Faro Latino, Maestro Frank Valiente spoke openly about his deep ties to the Dominican people, where he once lived and played an active role in major musical productions alongside Dominican promoters and artists. He also directed the Dominican Voice and Song Festival in New York for eight years.
“Everything began with a great friend, Ricardo Varón Fajardo, who owned a record label. I worked on a Dominican television series recorded alongside Niní Cáffaro, Rina Ramírez, Olga Lara, and Luis Records. I worked on Sábado de Corporán, one of the most iconic television programs in the Dominican Republic. I accompanied artists of the stature of Camboy Estévez and Fernando Villalona, and I was a friend of Maestro Rafael Solano, among many other distinguished Dominican artists.”
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