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Search Results for: Music Awards

Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

Puerto Rico Date Be more by Bella Martínez writes announces the release in Puerto Rico of the second edition of the authorized biography of Míster Afinque, Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by music journalist and researcher Robert Téllez M.

Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M
Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M

This second edition, which has been revised, expanded and updated, has 62 more pages, every time master Willie Rosario has remained active since the publication of the first edition in 2019 to date.  It also contains photographs that were not included in the first edition, images from Willie Rosario’s own archive and from the archive of the most important salsa collector, Robert Padilla.

The book, which has a preface signed by musician “Bobby” Valentín and a foreword by researcher José Arteaga, also compiles significant accounts from composers, musicians, instrumentalists, arrangers and vocalists who have been part of Rosario’s orchestra throughout different periods.

The new cover photo is by photojournalist Conrado Pastrano, the cover design is by graphic artist Felix Disla and the illustrations are by artist Frank Rosado.

The content of the back cover of the first edition, which includes the praises of Edwin Clemente, Edwin Morales, Elmer González, Hiram Guadalupe Pérez and Néstor Galán, was moved to the inside of the text, adding the recently captured praise in the voice of Ricardo Padilla, programming director of Salsoul radio station.

The back cover text is by the prodigious arranger, composer and music producer, who was exalted to the Hall of Fame of the U.S. East Coast and who, like Willie Rosario, is a timbalero and orchestra leader: Tito Rodríguez, Jr.  Tito tells us about “El Inolvidable’s” friendship with Willie Rosario, as well as the way in which Mister Afinque received from Tito Rodríguez the first songs that Rosario would record with his orchestra, including the classic ‘Changó ta vení’ (composition by “Justi” Barreto), arranged by René Hernández.  He also shares with us the closeness between Willie Rosario and Tito Rodríguez since they were neighbors in the Bronx, NY until they became colleagues and developed a friendship based on companionship and mutual admiration.  In a nostalgic way, he highlights the golden years of El Palladium. As if all this were not enough, Tito candidly offers his opinion on Willie’s contribution to the salsa sound, which he reinvented by adding the baritone saxophone to his orchestral format, which at the time was thought to be an experiment, and on the permanence of that contribution within Latin music.

The publication of this second edition of Willie Rosario, El Rey del Ritmo comes just in time to add to the centennial celebration of the musical leader, who has managed to keep his orchestra active and alive for more than six decades. The book is now available in physical format and can be purchased through Amazon.

Book cover Willie Rosario Second Edition
Book cover Willie Rosario Second Edition

About the author:

The author, Robert Téllez M, is a music journalist, broadcaster and audiovisual media producer. He is a member of the Círculo de Periodistas de Bogotá (CPB) and since 1998 he has worked as a programmer for different music radio stations. For nine years he directed and hosted the program Conversando La Salsa on Radio Nacional de Colombia. He was also founder and general director of Revista Sonfonía. Robert Téllez M stands out as a researcher dedicated to Afro-Antillean music. His in-depth research has led him to serve as a consultant and lecturer, specializing in the appreciation of salsa music.

Published books:

* Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante (2016).

* Willie Rosario, el Rey del ritmo [Authorized Biography] (2019, 2024).

* Ray Barretto, Giant Force (2021), the translation by Ronald Vazquez of Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante, is the silver medal winning literary work for best Spanish to English translation at the International Latino Book Awards, 2021 edition.

Robert Téllez y Willie Rosario.
Robert Téllez y Willie Rosario.

Bella Martinez Puerto Rico

Also Read: Metamorphosis: from music to photojournalism, a reinvention without limits

Virginia Ramirez is the artist of the XXI century, the Princess of Piano and Voice, the hope that will save the new generations of anti-music

Virginia Ramirez, the talented concert pianist, pianist and singer-songwriter, has been making an impact for her contributions to the music of her country and the world. She was born in the city of San Cristobal, Venezuela and grew up in a family where art, poetry and music were the language of every day.

Virginia Ramírez es la artista del siglo XXI
Virginia Ramírez es la artista del siglo XXI

His mother was a poet (Etha, the Lady of Love), Dr. Enriqueta Martinez, his father Asdrubal Ramirez, a self-taught harpist, guitarist and singer of Venezuelan popular music.

Since she was 7 years old she plays the piano and from a very young age she began to develop her musical skills, she started her training at the Miguel Angel Espinel School with the well-known teachers Edgar Vasquez (Piano) and Heliodoro Contreras (Theory and Solfeo).

She graduated as a pianist, concert pianist and piano teacher at the National School of Music in Havana (Cuba) where she graduated with the highest qualifications and studied at the José Lorenzo Llamozas School and the Simon Bolivar Conservatory of Music.

He has taken courses in harmony and improvisation with professors Gerry Weil, Andres Alen Rodriguez and Mike Orta at the “FIU of Miami” in the jazz department.

Ramirez studied classical piano with Professor Igor Lavrov, recorded her jazz projects with drummer Willy Díaz and bassist José Velázquez in the “Jazz” program of the Venezuelan TV channel “Venezolana de Televisión” in Venezuela on several occasions, and her first album “Espiral de Fuego”.

She participated as a special guest of other groups such as Alberto Borregales and Fredy Roldán and El grupo la Calle.

She participated with a new proposal as a composer and pianist in important Jazz festivals in Venezuela as the “Latin Festival” of the Teatro de la Opera de Maracay (June 2003) and the “Prehot” of the 5th.

Festival de Jazz del Hatillo (October 2003), where he alternated and shared the stage with the American bands of Aaron Thurston (drummer) and Jaime Baum (flutist), receiving excellent reviews from the radio and television press.

She alternates her activity as a jazz concert performer with teaching, as a piano and singing teacher.

In her music school Vicky’s harpsichord.

Her formidable work in music and composition is very beautiful and colorful, because in her proposal she has fused jazz and Afro-Venezuelan elements highlighting the values of Venezuelan and Latin American music and using a variety of drums such as the Culo’e Puya, Quitiplas, Clarines, Cumaco and Chimbangles combining them with the songs of the peoples of the coast of Venezuela making excellent personal harmonic contributions.

He has achieved a high musical concept that has been recognized in the continent and the world, for that incredible capacity to unite the idea of the concert with the characteristics of the Show and for that reason he contributes much more of the pure musical element in each one of his performances.

With a rich repertoire and an unparalleled originality in the world of Venezuelan Female Jazz, this excellent artist is a source of joy and an excellent contribution to the new generations of Jazz.

She has won countless national and international awards and recognitions, among which stand out: World Prize “César Vallejo” for Artistic Excellence, World Prize “El Águila de Oro” for Artistic Excellence 2022, 2023, almo Chispeante prize 2024, awarded by the UHE, world Hispanic writers union, thousand minds for Mexico, and world academy of literature, history, art and culture First Mention in the Juan Sebastián Bach Competition in Havana Cuba.

1993 as a teacher, pianist, concert pianist has participated in various festivals and concerts such as the Fitztrovia Festival in London, in Mexico, Madrid, the south of France, in Colombia with his salsa group tabaco latino, where he performed in different cities, Cali, Bogota and Medellin.

Within the salsa accompanied artists such as: Cheo Feliciano, Hernán Olivera, Meñique Lena Burke the singer Alfredy Bogado of the Venezuelan group “La Calle” and precisely with this group La Calle in the Juan Sebastian Bar when she worked there in 2000 was where they began their activities with salsa in several cycles of pianists, composers and arrangers.

In the Keyboard Museum of Caracas, in a jazz trio with Nene Quintero and William Velázquez on bass, in the Festival a toda Música Caracas, in the opera theater of Maracay and the Simón Bolívar University, among others.

Excellent comments in the national and international critics, have generated the presentation of his CD “Espiral de Fuego” presented by Otmaro Ruiz Jaquest Braunstein and Gerry Weil in his album “Manos y Alma” recorded, outstanding musicians such as: Nene Quintero, Aquiles Baez, Roberto Koch, Gonzalo Teppa.

Carlos Nene Quintero y Virginia Ramírez
Carlos Nene Quintero y Virginia Ramírez

Special guests: Vasallos del Sol, Aquiles Baez and C4 trio. This album “Manos y Alma” was presented by Aquiles Baez, Luis Perdomo and Pablo Aguirre from the BBC in London, received excellent reviews from the press in the south of France.

Her performance in the church La Canourgue in the south of France accompanied by the musicians Didier Hennot and Tonny Margalejo and her tour of successive concerts, carried out in France in different cities Mende, Saint Privat Des Vieux, Lozere, Ispagnac presenting her albums mentioned above.

She participated in the assembly and production of the play Cabaret with important theater artists such as Francis Rueda, Cayito Aponte, Natalia Martinez, Adrian Delgado, Karl Hoffman, Luis Fernandez performing in the Rios Reyna hall of the Teresa Carreño in different cities of Venezuela.

Virginia had the luxury of playing keyboards in the Kit Kat Club Band directed by Armando Lovera.

Great impact had her album “jazzguinaldos” produced as a trio with musicians Gonzalo Teppa and Nene Quintero, including as special guests Enio Escuariza, composer of all the lyrics of the album.

Her project “Acro Jazz” opens the horizon towards the world of circus arts, performing in different cultural centers of Venezuela musicalizing with the piano circus works and participating herself as a circus artist with the artist Jesús Piña in a pulsating work in the museum of the keyboard, Trujillo, Valencia among other cities with a new band integrated by Rubén Rebolledo Guitar, Willy Díaz Drums, David Rubio Bass and as special guests Jesús Piña and Kerlly Garcia.

He performed in the city of Morelia and Mexico, founded in 2015 a trio with musicians Fernando Mendoza Drums and Flavio Meneses bass, presenting the music of his albums in different nightclubs like Amati, Café de las Rosas, Casa de la cultura de Uruapan, and other cities of Morelia.

Virginia Ramírez, la talentosa concertista, pianista y cantautora
Virginia Ramírez, la talentosa concertista, pianista y cantautora

She accompanied drummer Antonio Sanchez in the house of music in Morelia.

Virginia Ramirez has collaborated with different artists of the Venezuelan music scene such as the group Facundo Project a Venezuelan Rock group, the singer Cheo Linares in his album “llegó la Navidad”, the singer Amarilis Bolaño in her album singing Henry Martinez, the singer Alejandra Gonzales in her album “Joyas de mi País” in the album “Tierra Liberada” and in the project “Venezuela demo”.

Ramirez has made music a matter of life and in her habitat of pianist and concert pianist, prepares for this year a vast plan to musicalize the poetry of the greatest poets of the world and a program entitled “La Totalidad de Virginia Ramirez”, by Cabina 11, Canal Global de Queretaro, Mexico, a country that has already known of her beauty and great talent.

I see in Virginia Ramirez, the complete artist with infinite talents as a pianist, singer, composer, songwriter and circus artist, who intentionally projects herself, illuminating the artistic firmament of the world with daring and magical projects that will always surprise the audience and make them feel the desire to ask for more.

Undoubtedly Virginia Ramirez is the artist of the XXI century, the princess of the piano and voice, the hope that will save the new generations of anti-music.

Dr. Carlos Hugo Garrido Chalem president of mil mentes por México and of the UHE Hispanic World Writers Union. President of the world academy of literature, history, art and culture.

Alterna su actividad de concertista de Jazz con la docencia, como profesora de piano y canto en su escuela de música la clave de Vicky.
Alterna su actividad de concertista de Jazz con la docencia, como profesora de piano y canto en su escuela de música la clave de Vicky.

Also Read: Wilmer Lozano from a very young age his mother saw in him the desire to be a musician

Berklee Online: The Best Option for Learning Music Online

According to many of the artists we have had the honor of interviewing in this section, one of the most important things to succeed in the world of music is education and academic preparation. Fortunately, the United States is full of academic institutions offering all kinds of degrees, courses and diplomas to contribute to knowledge base artists use for their work. One such institution is Berklee College of Music.   

Berklee College of Music is one of the leading music institutes in the state of Massachusetts and offers all kinds of academic degrees related to this important branch of the arts on its campuses in Boston, New York and Valencia, Spain. Its biggest focus is developing the potential of its students in areas like music, dance and theater.   

In this prestigious institution, students have the opportunity to experience every aspect of the music industry through an interdisciplinary curriculum. On its website, those interested can see everything that is offered such as undergraduate, graduate, summer programs and online courses. 

In addition, Berklee has made available to its applicants the possibility of studying in an online mode through its Berklee Online initiative.  

Facade of Berklee
Facade of Berklee College of Music

Berklee Online 

Berklee Online is an initiative by Berklee College of Music created in 2002 with a view to allowing aspiring musicians and established artists to pursue economic and high-quality degrees and educational programs from anywhere in the world.   

Berklee students will be able to develop and improve all of their artistic skills through online certificate programs, award-winning courses, and undergraduate programs.   

An important thing to note is that online students will be able to learn from the same professors from the physical campus, so at no time will there be any decrease in the quality of teaching compared to face-to-face classes. We are talking about the best professionals in each of their areas who have taught classes to numerous artists and have been part of national and international award-winning projects. Likewise, many of the graduates of this institution have won Grammys and other awards of this kind.  

According to figures handled by the college, Berklee Online has students from around 140 countries and very diverse academic and work backgrounds, but with the same desire to learn and absorb the best from their instructors.   

Another benefit offered by Berklee is the assignment of an academic advisor to students in order to support them in achieving their goals and help them in everything they need to make their experience the best it can be.   

And for those who are not particularly interested in enrolling in a paid course, they can also opt for free resources to complement the activities they are carrying out. Among these resources, we can mention free sample lessons, degree handbooks, online course catalogs, news and exclusive content.   

Once on the page online.berklee.edu, whoever wishes to have access to all this material must sign up and create an account by typing the data required by the page in order to get access to the content.   

Graduation from Berklee
Graduation from Berklee College of Music at the Hynes Convention Center

Berklee Graduate Artists 

Berklee College of Music has been the home of many renowned artists who have been able to learn much of what they know today in its facilities.   

In this same section, we have spoken with renowned musicians who attended this college, which has greatly contributed to the training that has allowed them to get to where they are today.  

One of them is Venezuelan percussionist and musician Omar Ledezma Jr., who received a scholarship to study in this institution and, at that moment, he told us that he applied for the scholarship and managed to pass the audition required to enter the school. A month later, he was informed that he had been admitted to Berklee through a letter and, in his own words, it was one of the most important news in his life.   

Today, Ledezma has an important participation in groups such as Pacific Mambo Orchestra with which he has played in major festivals such as Tempo Latino in several of its editions. He is also teaching at the SF Community Center where he shares his knowledge with other young people who want to follow the same path.   

Another fitting case to mention is that of Puerto Rican arranger, composer and sound engineer Felix O. Rodriguez, who studied production, mixing and remastering at Berklee College of Music to prepare his return to the stage since leaving the music for an extended period of time. After that, he started his solo career with all the irons and released his first studio album. Having developed in the aforementioned areas, he has much more control over his work and has no need to hire as many people to record his music.  

While it is true that these artists attended face-to-face classes, their professors and content were the same for online classes, so students enrolled in the online mode can enjoy the same benefits and the same learning without any problem. 

Omar Ledezma, a graduate from Berklee
Venezuelan percussionist and musician Omar Ledezma Jr., a graduate from Berklee College of Music

 

Read also: Tracy Jenkins from Lula World Records spoke exclusively with us 

Juan Valdez Byte Dominican musician, arranger, composer and singer-songwriter.

Juan Valdez Born in San Juan de la Maguana on June 24, 1962. Son of Mrs. Martha Ramona Ybert and Mr. Jose Ignacio Valdez (Kiko), he is the eldest of 6 siblings (all musicians).

Juan Valdez Byte Dominican musician, arranger, composer and singer-songwriter
Juan Valdez Byte Dominican musician, arranger, composer and singer-songwriter

He started in his father’s band (also a musician) La Gran Dimensión, he was the first saxophonist of the municipal music band of his town where he studied solfeggio and saxophone with maestro Plinio Feliz. Later he studied piano at the school of fine arts of the same town.

Juan Valdez Ybet at the age of 19 he moved to Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, where he became a pianist and arranger for the Rosario Brothers Orchestra, Aramis Camilo, Alex Bueno, Sergio Vargas, Alex Mansilla and Canaveral, pianist for Juan Luis Guerra and 440, then director and arranger for Luis Diaz, Michel El Buenon, Asdrubar, Felix Manuel, Big Bang Congreso del Bolero, Felix De Oleo, Jaqueline Estevez, Anthony Rios, Camboy Estevez, Homenaje a Felix del Rosario, among others.

He was also Director of the Television Programs: Buen Provecho with Yaqui Nuñez, Viceversa with Mariela Encarnación and Georgina Duluc, En Resumidas Cuentas and Sábado de Corporan.

Juan Valdez Ybet he has participated as a pianist in concerts and studio recordings with Aramis Camilo, Alex Bueno, Sergio Vargas, Luis Diaz, Michel El Buenon, Asdrubar, Felix Manuel, Felix De Oleo, popular concerts, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional conductor Jose A. Molina, Grupo Cañaveral, Wilfrido Vargas, Fernando Villalona, Sandy Reyes, Henry Garcia, Grupo Licuado de Crispin Fernandez, Maridalia Hernandez, Milly Quezada, Juan Luis Guerra, Andy Montañez, Paquito Guzman, Tito Gomez, Zacarias Ferreira, Eddy Herrera, Hermanos Rosario, Kaki Vargas, Hector Acosta y Toros Band, The New York Band, Grupo Ilegales, Manuel Tejada, Jorge Taveras, Rasputin, Pablo Martinez, Marcos Hernandez, Luis Miguel del Amargue, Aniversario Telemicro, among others.

He has made Musical Arrangements (Orchestrator) for: Aramis Camilo, Alex Bueno, Sergio Vargas, Luis Diaz, Michel El Buenon, Asdrubar, Felix Manuel, Felix De Oleo, National Symphony Orchestra, Placido Domingo Jr, Grupo Canaveral, Wilfrido Vargas, Fernando Villalona, Sandy Reyes, Henry Garcia, Milly Quezada, Zacarias Ferreira, Olga Tañon, Manny Manuel, Mayra y Celines, Placido Domingo Hijo, Hermanos Rosario, Kaki Vargas, Hector Acosta y Toros Band, The New York Band, La Coco Band, Grupo Ilegales, Rasputin, Pablo Martinez, Jailine Cintron, Grupo La Linea, Premios Casandra, Primera y Segunda del Merengue, Que Viva El Merengue, Dimanchy, Conjunto Quisqueya, Giselle, Isha, Pakole, Manolé, Yanfourd, David Kada, Shadow Blow, Vakero, Gingers for Brugal, Coca Cola and Pastas La Famosa.

Juan he is also a professor of Piano and Popular Latin Orchestration at the National Conservatory of Music (CNM) since 2001 to date. He has been nominated for the Cassandra Awards since 1987 until the last Sovereign Awards.

Juan Valdez ByteBorn in San Juan de la Maguana on June 24, 1962.
Juan Valdez ByteBorn in San Juan de la Maguana on June 24, 1962.

Recognized by the green valley foundation in his town, by the city council and the syndic.

Recognized by the Grammy awards as an arranger and musician.

Arranger:

The Rosario Brothers: El Chicharron, Buena Suerte.

Aramis Camilo: Nena, Si la Ven, El Alicate, Hellow, Al Maestro Con Cariño, La india, A La Talalala, I Will Always Love You, Si Yo Pudiera (Salsa), Ya Te Digo Adiós.

Alex Bueno: Como Nadie (lyrics, composition and arrangement), Soy Rebelde, Una Lagrima Por tu Amor, Nuestro Juramento, Quien Soy Yo Sin Ella, Número C.

Quien Soy Yo Sin Ella, Número Cero.

Sergio Vargas: Marola, La Ventanita, La Pastilla, Bamboleo, Perla Negra, Se Acabo, Me Muero, El Merengue Se Baila Pegao, Dias de

Junio, Yo Soy, Muele, Maquina Olandera, Dudas, Por H o por R (Composicion y Arreglo), Perfume de Rosas, En Esta Casa Humilde, A Dar Amor, Tu Vacilandome, Tu Ausencia, Causas y Azares, Lejos, Ciclon, Que No Halla, Mas Fronteras, Amor De A Ratos, Que Linda, Mujeres, Dile Mas, Baile ae, Si Volvieras, Palo Palo, Eres Tu, Ramona, Musica para la fiesta, Soy Sergio, Ay Ombe, El Dolorcito, Jugue sin saber, Aunque mal paguen ellas, Magia, Sin Ella Sufro, Llore Llore, Lucerito.

Benny Sadel: Que pasará, Te He Prometido, Mis manos en tu cintura (Arrangement and Chorus), Homenaje a Wilfrido, Rompamos El Contrato, Quiero Ser, Por Que Yo Quiero, En Esta Navidad, Por Ti, Un Mal Sueño, Así Es La Vida, Yo Te Daba Amor.

Juan Valdez Byte
Juan Valdez Byte

Wilfrido Vargas: El Baile Del Perrito, Por La Plata Baila El Mono.

Fernando Villalona: Yo Soy Aquel, Sin Ti, Que Chuleria, Hoy Le Pido Al Señor, No Te Rindas (Bachata).

Rubby Perez: I Must Do It.

Eddy Herrera: Carolina, Callejón Sin Salida, Vete, Dueno De Nada, Desde Que Te Conoci, Lo Tiene Todo.

Hector Acosta (El Torito): Menos Que Nada, Sin Tu No Me Quieres, Déjala, Si Me Recuerdas (Salsa).

New York Band: Quien Piensas Tu Que Soy, Me Quedé Con Las Ganas.

Pochi y La CocoBand: Olvida Las Penas.

Diomedes: Balsie, Las Estrellas Brillaran, El Negro Chombo, Locos De Amor (Karen Records).

Kaki Vargas: Los Mosquitos Puyan (Complete Album), No Cojas Sola Pa Allá, El Hombre De Mamá, Muchachita De Los Limones, Arisleyda, Mampote, among others.

Juan Valdez Ybet

Also Read: Betsy Colombian Salsa, Bolero and Son Cubano Singer

Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as “El Volcán de América” (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice

Carruyo He was born in Maracaibo on August 22, 1953 at the Chiquinquira Hospital in Maracaibo, located in the same sector where he grew up.

Argenis Carruyo he had the good fortune of being a neighbor of Los Blanco, who 12 years after his birth hired him as an instrument picker, an experience that served to awaken in him the love for music, a feeling that was nurtured when he discovered in him an unmistakable talent to make singing his life support.

“The Volcano of America” because the power of his voice makes the senses of those who have the opportunity to listen to him rumble; so sings Argenis Carruyo, from Zulia, who from a very young age began to demonstrate the vocal quality that characterizes him.

Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as "El Volcán de América" (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice
Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as “El Volcán de América” (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice

He has stood out as an interpreter of the gaita zuliana and during the 1970s and 1980s belonged to the Dimensión Latina.

The 80’s was a very busy decade for this multifaceted character; he sang with Orlando y su Combo, and did a duet with Ender Carruyo in the orchestra “Los Hermanos Carruyo” and then again with the Super Combo Los Tropicales, until 1985 when he decided to found his own group called “Argenis Carruyo y su Orquesta”.

He began his musical career with the youth group Los Larkings. Later, he was part of Los Juglares and Los Casinos.

In 1973, he joined the ranks of Súper Combo Los Tropicales and in 1977 he was recruited by Dimensión Latina, with whom he sang until 1981. Later he joined the group Los Melódicos.

During the 1980s he had an intense artistic activity in which he sang with Orlando y su Combo, duetted with Ender Carruyo in the orchestra Los Hermanos Carruyo, worked again with the Súper Combo Los Tropicales and, in 1985, formed his own group: Argenis Carruyo y su Orquesta.

Argenis Carruyo and his Orchestra
Argenis Carruyo and his Orchestra

Sabor a Gaita:

Apart from his work with rhythms such as guaracha and salsa, Carruyo has also performed the gaita zuliana.

The Volcano of America has not only stood out among the great interpreters of the Caribbean for playing rhythms such as the guaracha, he has also honored his land by making famous great gaita compositions.

During his time in the genre he worked with groups such as El Número Uno, Rincón Morales, Guaco, Los Morillo and Gaiteros de Pillopo.

He owes part of his fame to the gaita, because the Zulian melody accompanied him on stages and still accompanies him in his veins as it does to anyone who appreciates being a worthy Maracaibero.

During his artistic life he has received numerous recognitions, as well as the publication of a book with his biography.

In 1975 he won the Festival de Cantantes y Compositores Zulianos and has received the Mara de Oro (1993, 1994, 1995) and Gran Cacique de Oro awards as best singer, the Gran Aguila de Venezuela as best singer and dance orchestra (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), and the Catatumbo de Oro as best popular singer (1993) among others.

"The Volcano of America"
“The Volcano of America”

His orchestra received the Orden Ciudad de Maracaibo in its first class as best dance group.

He has performed in the most important nightclubs in Maracaibo, the country and abroad, alternating with the most recognized figures of the song, which is why he is considered one of the most genuine interpreters of tropical Caribbean genres in the Zulian region, such as salsa, guaracha, cumbia, merengue and bolero.

With a prolific career of more than twenty-five years that has served to demonstrate his talents as a vocalist and his own characteristic style, which gives him his most authentic identity.

Argenis Carruyo, with pride from Maracaibo, proclaims that he owes to Zulia the success and fortune that always accompanied him since he discovered the enormous talent he carried in his blood, his homeland became his main fan, to Maracaibo he owes his life and to its inhabitants the affection and the memory that will always keep him alive through his songs.

For 2023 Argenis was specially invited to participate in the excellent group Quintero’s Salsa Project – Tributo A La Dimension Latina directed by New York based percussionists Luisito Quintero and Robert Quintero.

Luisito Quintero grew up in the Latin and African percussion tradition. His father is as percussive as his uncle Carlos Nene Quintero and cousin Roberto Quintero. He became a member of the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra, but soon joined ensembles such as Grupo Guaco and El Trabuco Venezolano and toured with Oscar D’León.

He then moved to New York, where he met Latin jazz musicians like Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz worked. He then turned to the fusion of jazz, funk, salsa and African music and played with George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Ravi Coltrane and Toshiko Akiyoshi, but also with pop musicians such as Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony. Louie Vega produced his first album with him.

Quintero’s Salsa Project – Tribute To The Latin Dimension

Tracks: Ya Tu Lo Véras; Sin Tu Cariño; Cara de Guabina; Sigue Tu Camino; Irimo; Dulce Cantar; De Quintero a Dimensión; Ahi Nama; Te Conocí; Parampampam; Arroz Con Manteca; Frutas del Caney.

Musicians: Argenis Carruyo; Jimmy Bosch; Marcial Istúriz; Roberto Quintero, Luisito Quintero.

Record labels in which Argenis Carruyo has participated.

Top-Hit (TH), Maracaibo Record’s, Argenis Carruyo, Discos VRZ, SonoVen Records, L. G. Record’s C. A; iMusician | EDGARSARMIENTO, Palacio, among others.

Argenis Carruyo y Dj. Augusto Felibertt
Argenis Carruyo y Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Sources:

La Buena Musica: Argenis Carruyo

La Salsa es mi vida: Quintero´s Salsa Project – Tributo A La Dimension Latina

Also Read: Víctor Porfirio Baloa Díaz, more commonly known as Porfi Baloa

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.