José Alberto “El Canario” Honored with a Street Named After Him in New Jersey
New York, September 30, 2026
Award-winning salsa artist José Alberto “El Canario” attended the unveiling of a street named in his honor in Union City, New Jersey, and dedicated the recognition to his native Dominican Republic.
“For me, there is no greater satisfaction than carrying the name of my country with pride,” the musician said during the ceremony.
Salsa stars Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tito Nieves were among the many people who gathered to celebrate the newly named José “El Canario” Alberto Way.
“The family celebrating the achievements of one of our own. Congratulations to El Canario, my compadre, for this well-deserved honor. He is one of the brothers that music has given me,” said Santa Rosa.
José Alberto expressed his gratitude to Mayor Brian P. Stack, the Board of Commissioners, and the people of Union City for the recognition.
“Thank you, Union City. Thank you for so much affection. I receive this recognition with great humility, pride, and gratitude,” he said.
A 50-Year Musical Journey New Jersey and New York have played an important role in José Alberto’s musical career. They are places where he lived through experiences that helped shape his path as an artist. Today, after five decades of performing, he looks back on that journey with pride.
On October 24, 2026, José Alberto will celebrate 50 years of his musical career with a special dance concert at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He will be joined by colleagues and special guests, including Eddy Herrera, Ramón Orlando, Maridalia, Pável, and others.
His 50th-anniversary tour includes performances in cities such as Santo Domingo, Cali, San Juan, New York, Caracas, Lima, Mexico City, and Cancún, among others.
This recognition comes during a remarkable year in José Alberto’s career. It follows his recent Latin Grammy Award for his album Rodando por el Mundo, which won in the Best Traditional Tropical Album category.
With this achievement, José Alberto “El Canario” joins Israel López “Cachao” as one of the most awarded artists in the history of the category since the Latin Grammy Awards were established.
Photos: Anna Samanamu
About the Artist
José Alberto “El Canario” is a Dominican-born salsa singer whose distinctive voice and energetic style have made him one of the recognized figures in tropical music.
Over a career spanning five decades, he has recorded and performed internationally, becoming closely associated with the New York and New Jersey salsa scene while maintaining strong ties to his Dominican roots.
Throughout his career, El Canario has worked with many important musicians and orchestras in Latin music and has built a repertoire that includes salsa, son, and other Caribbean rhythms.
His musical achievements include a Latin Grammy Award for Rodando por el Mundo, recognized in the Best Traditional Tropical Album category. His 50th anniversary in music in 2026 marks another important chapter in a career dedicated to salsa and tropical music.
Today, José Alberto “El Canario” continues to perform for audiences around the world, celebrating the music and cultural traditions that have defined his remarkable journey.