El Hijo de Trenton Lebron returns home for hot salsa party at Levitt Amp Music Series
Edwin (Martinez) Lebron allowed not allow a millisecond to pass before delivering an answer about his headliner role Thursday at the city’s Levitt Amp Music Series.
“Salsa, and lots of it,” Lebron said about what a Mill Hill Park audience should expect. Trenton residents should prepare for an influx of hot rhythm as the city born and raised Salsa King assures his performance will make people get up and dance.
Lebron, aka Martinez, a 1997 Trenton Central High School graduate, returns to build on a 2016 appearance at the popular Levitt Amp Music Series provided by The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation with a mission to support the arts, culture and education. The Trenton-based series provides 10 free concerts that feature diverse music genres in an outdoor setting.
Lebron, 38, discussed Trenton roots and a musical desire cultivated by numerous family members who played instruments.
“As a Trenton High student (from the East Ward) I also studied at the Westminster Conservatory of Music at Princeton University. I studied two years there as part of an education scholarship presented to me after winning Mayor Douglas Palmer’s talent quest. Then I competed in a music contest at the Apollo Theater in New York City where I finished in second place,” Lebron recalled.
Lebron laughed about owning one key goal during his appearance at the world-renowned Apollo Theater. “The goal was not to get booed. It was an amazing experience.” He laughed about the potential for a potentially disgruntled Trenton crowd.
“That wouldn’t be cool,” Lebron joked. “But let’s be clear, I’m not a performer who just stands around and sings. I dance and move around and will make sure that the people have a good time. You’ll see on Thursday when we take the stage.”
Lebron said his Apollo performance served as a proving ground for his eventual life career. “That confirmed that I should continue my musical career. Plus, I come from a family with strong musical backgrounds. Many of my uncles or other relatives play in musical events throughout the city. Music runs in our blood. It’s in me.”
Levitt Amp Music Series presenter Trenton Downtown Association noted that Lebron “single-handedly plays a band’s worth of instruments on lively songs that make audiences get up and dance” while he masterminds piano, bass, guitar, drums, congas, timbales, cowbells and the cuatro (from Puerto Rico). His resume includes backup performances with Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tito Nieves and Frankie Negron, among others, and he released his most recent album, Xtraordinario, in 2017.
His music has thrilled audiences at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and New York’s Copacabana. In 2002, Lebron co-wrote the hit “Por Temor” with salsa singer Miosotis. He is also part of a Grammy-nominated team that worked on the 2013 album Mis Mejores Recuerdos, recorded by Tito Nieves.
Lebron lived in New York then started a family with wife, Lucy, a collaboration that produced son, Brandon, 20, and daughter, Z’naya, 14 in Lancaster, Pa. A move to Tampa, Florida delivered the genesis for music success.
Lebonr said his career took off after the move to Florida as he traveled to Peru, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico with dates scheduled in Beliz and Cozumel this year. He has performed with star salsa artists like Linda Viera Caballero aka La India, the Princess of Salsa; Puerto Rican bandleader and singer of salsa and bolero, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ishmael Miranda, another salsa musician from Puerto Rico and others.
When the Trenton Downtown Association called and asked me back again to perform for the Levitt Amp crowd, of course, I said ‘yes’. In these kinds of music events, it’s rare to be asked back a second time,” Lebron noted.
Lebron, also known as “El Hijo de Trenton” (Son of Trenton) said he will play a new release entitled “La Paga”, originally written and produced by Colombian music star, Juanes.
“For me to come back and perform for my hometown — is a thrill. I’m still part of that saying that “Trenton Makes The World Takes. I love Trenton and always make a point to let people know that I was born and raised in this great city. It helped to make me who I am,” he said.
Accomplished cuatro guitarist Gabriel Muñoz opens Levitt Amp Music Series Trenton concert at 5:30 p.m. with Lebron scheduled for 6:30 p.m. performance.
Food trucks on site. Graffiti artists productions. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.