Our next album will feature the music of Danny "El Mago" Franklin, father to David Frankel, the bandleader/arranger/composer/producer of Avenida B.  Mago spent decades in the New York City "salsa" and merengue scenes, and dedicated his life to the performing arts.  Some of his original arrangements and compositions will be featured on the album.  We will also dig into his history, the people he knew, other compositions and arrangements, telling the story of one man who was emblematic of so many musicians that made careers in and helped to shape Latin music in New York City.

Who was Mago?

Danny "El Mago" Franklin ca 1988

Mago Franklin was an arranger, composer, teacher, singer, and pianist who played in New York City's Latin music scene (salsa and merengue) for 40 years, from the 60's through his passing in 2003.  Based in the Lower East Side on Avenue B (aka East Village or Alphabet City), Mago was both a bandleader and sideman, rehearsing groups in his ground floor studio.  We remember him, and look to memorialize his life and contributions to Latin music and the arts.  If you knew Mago (please let us know below!) or if you're just curious, please read on and click through our pages!

Our goal is two-fold:  Remember Mago through documentary-style storytelling, and bring his music back to life.

1.  Remember Mago:  document his history by storytelling, filming interviews with his son David and musicians, friends, colleagues who knew him;  and by reproducing his archived creative works.

2.  Bring Mago's music to life.  Record some of his music using Avenida B - his son's band - in 2021, and release (in some cases for the first time) his other work, spanning several American and Latin genres.