Miguel Lanzó’s Bomba and Plena remembered by Hispanic community in Central Florida
Miguel Lanzó used to arrive at all events, no how matter big or small, carrying his barril, a wooden-cask drum, and ready to make them beat at any time.
His humility and passion for the Bomba, Plena and Puerto Rican culture is something that members of the Hispanic community in Central Florida will never forget about Lanzó, who died Saturday during an argument with his next-door neighbor, who shot him, according to a police report.
Lanzó was a man of many hats, said his daughter Melissa Lanzó, who tried to hold back tears as she talked her father’s legacy. “Not only because of the hats that he put on to hide his bald head, but because he could enter a Publix and there was always someone who knew him. They hugged him for having helped them get a lawyer, for having fixed something for them in their house. He was from the community and he did his best for the community.”
“I will always remember his ‘viejito hats’ (old man caps),” Melissa said.
“Nobody deserves to die like this. And Lanzó, above all people, a person so given to all did not deserve this,” said Efraín Rivera, who has known Lanzó for decades.
For Lanzó, the Bomba and the Plena were his life, a legacy he wanted to leave. “He always spoke of how now that there are so many Puerto Ricans out of the island, it was essential that we not let our traditions die. Here in the United States, he always looked for a way for everyone to learn what the Bomba and Plena are and to enjoy the beat of the drums,” Rivera said.
José Luis “Jimmy” Castro Torres said he will always remember him as a member of the family. “He forged the space so that, from here, far from Puerto Rico, in the diaspora as we say, we could continue traditional music and culture. He was an unconditional support. Everything that was for the good of culture and especially of the Bomba and the Plena, Lanzó was present.”
His passion and love for the percussion-driven musical traditions of Puerto Rico that move people to dance and express their feelings through movements will never be forgotten.
Lucymar Rivera, a radio presenter in Orlando, said she is still shocked. “He has been one of the pioneers of music in Orlando. There are now a lot of Puerto Ricans and many things from the island, but at that time there was nothing and it was he who started everything with the Bomba y Plena”.
“The older generation of Puerto Ricans and every Hispanic who has been here for more than 10 years knows who Lanzó is,” said Lucymar Rivera.
“Miguel did not miss a quince,” she said laughing, a saying Puerto Ricans use to describe someone who never misses a party, including a quinceañero (15-year celebration). “I will remember him that way, always partying,” added Lucymar Rivera.
“I met him about 10 years ago when we wanted to do the Bomba y Plena Festival in Tampa. He was among the first to say present and help with everything,” said Alberto Delgado, who has been in charge of this festival in Hillsborough County. “His humility and his pride in the culture, the elegance he always had putting up the art of playing and presenting, his presence was always significant.”
Melissa Lanzó said they are still planning the next steps for his wake and funeral because “the incident is still under investigation. Once we know what we are going to do, we will put it on the Facebook page with a message from the family and make sure everyone knows. My father was a cheerful, happy man, and we are going to have a great party as I know he would have wanted,” Melissa said.