Frank Alexis Velez

Frank Alexis "Alex" Velez, 72, of Carteret, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with liver cancer. An extraordinary musician and beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Alex was known for his boundless talent, passionate spirit, and deep commitment to sharing the gift of music with all those around him.

Born in Havana, Cuba, on November 20, 1952, Frank Alexis Velez was a musical prodigy from an early age; famously teaching himself to play the accordion at just five years old, earning the nickname “Accordion Magician of New York City” and winning an award at the age of seven. His extraordinary talent was recognized on television in Cuba, as well as on radio and in theaters in both Philadelphia and New York City throughout his childhood. Alex’s bond with his father, Francisco, grew through music when they formed part of a trio with him playing the accordion and his father accompanying him on guitar. Alex’s passion for innovation shone brightly when he formed “The Lords,” a rock n’ roll trio, at age 13 where he played guitar and sang lead vocals garnering local fame for their energetic, danceable music.

In his late teens and early adulthood, his tireless pursuit of music led him into another musical venture; his band “The Delvins” entertained Rock audiences of the era. Alex pioneered new terrain in Latin music by incorporating the Moog synthesizer into salsa while being a part of the Salsa group La Orquesta Sonica, which he co-founded with his father on bass guitar and his younger brother Aldo on the bongos, further solidifying family bonds while delighting audiences throughout the NJ area. He also studied piano at Harlem Performing Arts School under the legendary Charlie Palmieri, further homing in on his musical abilities; he was able to play eight instruments.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Alex became a revered figure in the Latin music community, recording with acclaimed bands like Conjunto Crema and Los Hermanos Morenos. His legacy is immortalized with a 45-RPM vinyl, including tracks such as “La Salsa la traigo yo” and “A mi amigo El Presidente,” (written and/or sung by him) both available to listeners worldwide. Later on in his life he also formed part of another great band called El Combo Latino which performed throughout NJ and he also received an award for his contributions to Latin music over 50 years.

Family was never far from Alex’s heart. He is survived by his cherished children, his son Alan Lee Velez (from his first marriage to Mary Ann Calogianis) and his daughters Lizette Velez and Mindy Lee Velez (from his second marriage to Carmen Nereida Dominguez); his brother, Aldo Velez, his sister, Leslie Velez, his 6 grandchildren (Brandon, Damion, Dominique, Jovanni, Yalexi, and David), 4 great-grandchildren, as well as fellow musicians and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Francisco Velez and his mother, Daisy Velez. Alex passed down his love of music, a perfectionist’s ear, and musical talent, to his children and grandchildren, always encouraging them to carry on his legacy.

He will also be remembered for his quick wit, strong opinions, occasional grumpiness, and the joy he brought to family gatherings with his stories, music, and laughter. Whether narrating classic TV shows and movies for those he watched them with, capturing special moments through his camera lens, or leading his bandmates to musical excellence, Alex lived life with unmatched zeal. He truly was the music man; it was his passion, his life, and is his legacy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at McCracken Funeral Home in Union, NJ, from 1:30pm-5:30pm. All who were touched by his music and his spirit are welcome to pay their respects and celebrate a life well-lived. Alex’s legacy will echo through every note, every song, and every memory that he leaves behind.

Frank Alexis "Alex" Vélez, de 72 años, residente de Carteret, Nueva Jersey, falleció pacíficamente el 17 de agosto de 2025, tras una valiente batalla contra el cáncer. Músico fenomenal y querido padre, abuelo, hermano y amigo, Alex era reconocido por su extraordinario talento musical, su espíritu apasionado y su inquebrantable compromiso con la difusión del poder transformador de la música.

Nacido en La Habana, Cuba, el 20 de noviembre de 1952, Frank Alexis Vélez demostró ser unprodigio musical desde muy joven. Sorprendentemente, aprendió a tocar el acordeón por su cuenta con tan solo cinco años, ganando un prestigioso premio a los siete años y obteniendo el título: El mago del acordeón de la ciudad de Nueva York. Su excepcional talento le valió reconocimiento a través de apariciones en televisión en Cuba y presentaciones en radio y teatros de Filadelfia y Nueva York durante su infancia. La conexión musical de Alex con su padre, Francisco, fue particularmente profunda; colaboraron en un trío musical, con Alex tocando el acordeón y su padre acompañándolo con la guitarra.

Su espíritu musical innovador surgió tempranamente cuando formó "The Lords”, un trío de rock n' roll a los 13 años, donde tocaba la guitarra y se desempeñaba como vocalista principal, ganando rápidamente elogios locales por sus actuaciones enérgicas y dinámicas. Al final de su adolescencia formó la banda de rock “Los Delvins" y durante su temprana edad adulta, fue pionero en enfoques innovadores en la música latina al integrar tecnologías de sintetizador en la salsa. Alex, junto con su padre, cofundó “La Orquesta Sónica. Mientras que el dirigía la banda, su padre, Frank, tocaba el bajo y su hermano menor, Aldo, los bongós. Este esfuerzo colaborativo no solo fortaleció los lazos familiares, sino que también deleitó al público de todo Nueva Jersey. Su educación musical se perfeccionó aún más mediante estudios de piano en La Escuela de Artes Escénicas de Harlem, bajo la tutela del legendario músico Charlie Palmieri, lo que finalmente le permitió dominar ocho instrumentos diferentes.

A lo largo de una carrera que abarcó más de cinco décadas, Alex se convirtió en una figura venerada en la comunidad de la música latina, grabando con bandas aclamadas como Conjunto Crema y Los Hermanos Morenos. Una grabación de vinilo de 45 rpm mostró su talento como intérprete y compositor, con temas como "La Salsa la Traigo Yo" y "A mi amigo el Presidente". Su música sigue resonando entre oyentes de todo el mundo. Posteriormente, fue miembro clave de El Combo Latino, con presentaciones extensas en Nueva Jersey y recibiendo reconocimiento por su medio siglo de contribuciones musicales.

La familia fue fundamental en la vida de Alex. Le sobreviven sus hijos Alan Lee Vélez (hijo), sus hijas Lizette y Mindy Lee Vélez, sus nietos Brandon, Damion, Dominique, Jovanni, Yalexi, David y cuatro bisnietos. Entre sus familiares también se incluyen su hermano Aldo y su hermana Leslie. Le precedieron en la muerte sus padres, Francisco y Daisy Vélez.

La pasión musical y el perfeccionismo de Alex fueron sus legados más importantes, que transmitió meticulosamente a sus hijos y nietos. Será recordado no solo por su brillantez musical, sino también por su agudo ingenio, sus firmes convicciones, su ocasional mal humor y la alegría que infundía en las reuniones familiares con sus historias, su música y sus risas.

Se celebrará un servicio conmemorativo el sábado 23 de agosto de 2025 en la Funeraria McCracken de Union, Nueva Jersey, de 13:30 a 17:30. Todos aquellos que se sintieron conmovidos por su talento musical y su espíritu vibrante están invitados a rendirle homenaje y celebrar una vida extraordinariamente plena. El legado de Alex seguirá resonando en cada nota musical, cada canción y cada preciado recuerdo que nos deje.