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Tito Puente’s must-hear: Records you won’t be able to forget

North America / Unites States

The best and more emblematic Tito Puente’s records

Ernesto Antonio Puente, better known as Tito Puente, El Rey del Timbal, was a recognized percussionist in the music industry. He was born in Harlem, New York on April 20, 1923.

Those who knew him as a child considered him very active. He was always looking for objects to generate sounds and make noise. The New Yorker, of Puerto Rican parents, began his music studies too young. At an early age he learned to play percussion and piano.

He was heavily influenced by jazz artists and Gene Krupa, considered the most influential drummer of the 20th century. Puente participated in various local bands and was part of the Machito group; musician and singer of Cuban origin who contributed to the creation of Afro-Cuban jazz.

Remember the great percussionist — Tito Puente made history with his unique style

Their first steps

At the age of fifteen he made his debut in a Miami orchestra. He amazes everyone with his ability for Latin perc battledussions.
For seven years he studied piano and drums. He then attended the Juilliard School, a conservatory of the arts located in New York. His musical training was very solid, which led him to become a great figure of the genre.

It was part of the development of rhythms and fusions that led to the success of salsa. However, he wasn’t a big fan of that term. Although he was known as a “salsa ambassador”, when asked about it, he responded in a humorous way:

“Salsa is what I put in spaghetti. What I play is Cuban music”, he repeated over and over again, extolling the roots of Afro-Caribbean music.
In the 1940s, he decided to form his own band, the Picadilly Boys, specializing in Latin jazz. They received the support of Tico Records to make their first musical recording. His career was just beginning. At the end of the 50s, “Dance Manía”, one of the artist’s most popular albums, was released.

Puente walked among the mambo, bossa nova and Afro-Cuban jazz. In the 60s, he ventured into salsa, without leaving behind other rhythms that characterized him.

The timbalero did not hesitate to support talented young people, Sophy from Puerto Rico recorded his first productions under the recommendations of Puente. Puente was in charge of the production, arrangements and instruments. It was a pleasure for her to receive the affection that he gave her. He treated her like a daughter and learned a lot from him; Celia Cruz was another of the artists who had the honor of working with “El Maestro”.

The sound of their timpani was known worldwide. He recorded more than a hundred albums, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1969, as well as the key to New York City and different nominations: Grammy Award for artistic career, Grammy Hall of Fame Award, Latin Grammy Award for Best Salsa Album, Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album, Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Album, Grammy Award for Best Salsa Album and Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording.

Throughout his career, he had the opportunity to work with several record labels including: Charly Records, BMG, RCA Victor, Fania Records, Sony Discos and Concord Picante.

Most recognized albums:

Dance Mania, 1978.

Dance Manía, 1958 was the artist’s first album. Considered the most famous percussionist. The study work, entered in 2002, in the National Recording Registry; list of recordings that are considered important and part of the culture and history of the United States. It is also found in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, a music reference book founded in 2005.

The history of Latin music in the United States took a cultural turn after the appearance of Dance Manía. It was recorded under the voice of the Puerto Rican Santos Colón, in Spanish. They were generally performed in the native language of the United States or only as instrumental music.

Tito Puente wanted to break down barriers and have the American public listen to the pieces in Spanish. The album is positioned as the most famous Latin album of all time, surpassing successful artists of the time like Héctor Lavoe and Celia Cruz.

Homenaje a Beny, 1978.
Tito Puente made history with this album, by obtaining his first Latin Grammy. It was the winning album for Best Latin Music Album. With the help of his orchestra, he created an unprecedented album, full of flavor; an album that highlighted Cuban origins and fusions. A heartfelt tribute to the remembered Benny Moré, Cuban singer and musician who died in 1963. “Homenaje a Beny” featured 17 pieces of music.

Tito Puente - Nobody will have his wonderful character — Tito Puente ‘s grimaces while performing

Cuba y Puerto Rico son…, 1966.
The career of the remembered Cuban singer Celia Cruz was on the rise. In 1966, Tito Puente decided to contact her to work together. They established a kind of association that was maintained through the years. In addition, they became very close friends, a bond that went beyond the musical realm.

Cruz appreciated him and was saddened after his death. In her autobiography “Celia, mi vida” she recalled the day she received the terrible news. She considered him an authority on Cuban music and admired his career.“Tito was always in charge of the arrangements, and he liked to work at dawn. We would go out to dinner, and when we returned, Tito would stay until four in the morning composing arrangements for what we were going to record the next day.

Although we were not very lucky with our recordings, Tito and I did very well with the tours. Together we travel to many countries. It was during those trips that we developed that great friendship that we had, ”said La Guarachera del Mundo.

In addition to “Cuba y Puerto Rico Son”, they recorded five more albums: Quimbo Quimbumbia (1969), Etc., Etc., Etc. (1970), Alma con alma (1971), En España (1971) and Algo especial para memoria (1972).

Timbalero Tropical (1998)
One of the last works of the artist and that featured fifteen songs. He worked hand in hand with the RCA label. The album stood out with works such as: El Timbal, Mi Guaguancó, Lo Dicen Todo, Mambo Macoco, Mambo and Preparen Candela. Topics that were very popular at the time and that today continue to sound at family gatherings. They are classic salseros that do not go out of style.

“Oye como va” was a song written by Puente in 1963. However, it was rock guitarist Carlos Santana who popularized it. The song went international and was positioned on the Billboard Hot 100, a list that ranks the best-selling hits in the United States. However, he was not the only one to cover it: Celia Cruz, rapper Gerardo Mejía, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Cuba Sextette and Cheo Feliciano. When he presented the theme on stage he affectionately presented Santana as its author.

This 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the physical disappearance of the great: Tito Puente. He passed away on May 31, 2000. His Caribbean flavor, his big smile and his white hair left a great void in the entertainment world. Puente left a great legacy. He contributed to the expansion of Latin music in the United States and served as a composer, percussionist, conductor, and performer.

His exaggerated grimaces, his style, energy, and his skill with the instrument earned him worldwide recognition. In addition to positioning him as an admirable figure among colleagues and young people who want to follow in his footsteps. Simply unforgettable!

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“Orquesta Bomplenea” with ISM

Meet the ” Orquesta Bomplenea “

Let’s start this month of November presenting a musical group that emerged in the year two thousand ( 2000 ), created with the sole purpose and intention of taking Puerto Rican culture to the top, it is nothing less than the “Orquesta Bomplenea”, who will be with us thanks to Mrs. Jimena Verano León from the company “Verano Producciones Latinoamérica” from Bogotá, Colombia; so that the public and fans of International Salsa Magazine can meet this great Latin music orchestra.

Mr. Gary Vera is the founder and member of the “ Orquesta Bomplenea ”, who has been an outstanding musician in the musical genre of Salsa, Merengue and Latin Jazz for about thirty-five (35) years, the past twenty (20) years in the genre of the Bomba (which is the first indigenous music of Puerto Rico, created in the sugar estates by slaves more than four hundred (400) years ago, where African slaves were brought to Puerto Rico by the Spanish and French in the year one thousand six hundred (1600)) and Plena (it is the native music of Puerto Rico, which has the history of miscegenation in the aforementioned country “the Puerto Rican culture”, its birth is located at the beginning of the twentieth century “XX ”). He has also traveled to Europe, the US (United States), and the Caribbean representing our music and culture.

They knew that the “Plena” together with the “Bomba”, the “Trova Jíbara” and the “Danza” make up the four pillars of indigenous Puerto Rican music. The purpose of the “Orquesta Bomplenea” is always to maintain the culture of its island (Puerto Rico), of the greatest possible interest to Puerto Ricans inside and outside of Puerto Rico.

Trying to reach the hearts of everyone with flavor around the world all tastes. With this assignment in mind, they have adopted a different style of playing the “Plena” (Puerto Rican popular dance and song that is characterized by its musical simplicity and the repetition of its phrases, especially the choirs).

The lyrics and the aggressiveness of the piano together with the combination of the vocal tone (timbre) give a salsa touch to our Plena, but without forgetting the most essential purpose of the composition, which is to transmit to its audience the “Bomba” and the “Plenas ” .

At the beginning of January 2000, Gary Vera organized the musical group Bomplenéa and made his first recording entitled “Ritmo Caliente”. The CD includes eight (8) musical themes. La Mulata, which is a mix of (Bomba – Sicá – Plenas), Jazz A La Bomplenéa is the alloy of (Plena – Latin Jazz), and María Rumbón, La Carta, El Meneíto, Ritmo Caliente, Remembering Papá, and Bells De Christmas (Plenas).

They recently started a new proposal that includes Salsa, Bomba and full songs. Some themes are: El Pan (Bomba), Mi Parranda (Christmas Sauce) and Déjate Amar (Sauce).

Dejate Amar new music - Bomplenea — Bomplenea Orquest

Members: Gary Vera – composition, drummer, congas, Güícharo and direction; José Cheo Arce – arrangement; Luis Discípulo Cuevas, Jan Meléndez – vocals; Carlene Vera and Jan Meléndez – backing vocals; Omar Maldonado – piano; Carlene Vera – flute; Tito Degracia – timbal and bongo; Coamito Martínez – trumpet; Toñito Vásquez – Trombone; Efraín Hernández – bass; Juan Rivera – piano; Celso José Clemente – percussion and minor percussion, recording director, timpani, tambourine; Rafael “Bodo” Torres – piano; Papo Clemente – congas; Cándido Reyes – güícharo; Luis Jungo Ortiz – bass and arrangements; Orlando Ortiz – members; Danny Fuentes – Trombone; Carlos Torres – bass; José Rodríguez – Trumpet; Doel González – vocals

For more information contact you through:

Facebook @ Bomplenea

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Tú ni te imaginas – Rik Indio

Rik Indio presents “Tu ni te imaginas” after his great success “Demasiado fuerte”

One of the artists with the most perfect tone of voice of tropical music that we will present in International Salsa Magazine in this November 2020 edition is nothing more and nothing less than “Ricardo Delgado” better known as “Rik Indio”, he is a singer and composer Boricua (“is a Puerto Rican who was born on the island of Puerto Rico and has more than 2 generations living there or resides in the United States “USA”, since Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated territory of the United States USA”)¹ who definitely breaks the mold of the established.

Cadence, flavor, strength and sensuality in a single voice that seems not to fit with an image of a tough man, with a thousand stories tattooed not only on the skin.

Rik Indio Artist — Rik Indio – Siger & Composer

Rik Indio was raised in Puerto Rico and music has been the means to convey the strongest emotions and be in charge of making some of his dreams and feelings come true. “As an artist I feel the need to reflect in my music what I consider to be sincere love, that which many people say doesn’t exist. I sing that music precisely because I am a witness that even that feeling is palpable. I consider myself a defender of feelings ”, explained the interpreter of the hits“ Tu Sabes Bien ”and“ Que Esperabas ”.

His beginning in the musical world was something very brave since he was going through a terrible tragedy and even so he continued with his life and his career and currently stands out again as he did years ago.

Ricardo Delgado was recording the last cuts that will be part of his production “Mr. Delgado ”, but before he released his most recent musical cut“ Tú ni te imaginas ”.

Regarding “Tu Ni Te Imaginas” and his music in general, Rik Indio said he felt very happy and with much more strength to emerge again in the art scene, an area that has given him the opportunity to realize one of the great dreams of his childhood: sing. For Rik Indio it is one of the moments that he enjoys the most as a singer, it is when he is in front of his audience and / or followers, an experience that, according to him, is the engine that drives him to continue and not let himself be defeated by adversity .

“Tu ni te imaginas”, is a single, an adaptation to salsa popularized by Basilio and that is authored by the composers of Dino Ramos and Omar Antonio Sánchez, which has incredible arrangements of which Efraín “Junito” Dávila and accompaniment of great musicians; This musical theme will culminate with the recording of the audiovisual of the single “Tu Ni Te Imaginas” in the Dominican Republic where they are doing a casting to find our model. “said the Bad Boy de la Salsa.

Rik Indio pose — Rik Indio presenta “Tú ni te imaginas “

However, they are already available on all digital platforms, as well as on national and international stations. It should be noted that this song has already reached more than 1 million views this week on the Music Choice Tropicales USA music channel.

1: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boricua

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Orlando José Castillo: The Venezuelan sonero graduated in New York

Orlando José Castillo “Siempre Pa’lante”

He (Orlando José Castillo) is catalogued as one of the most important soneros that Venezuela has given to the world and considered a living legend of Afro-Caribbean music for his extensive, successful and extraordinary career during many years; for “International Salsa Magazine”, it is a great honor to have as a special guest on this occasion Orlando José Castillo “Watussi”, born in Marín, Yaracuy state, on March 23, 1949, who, since he was a child, moved with his parents to live in the parish of La Pastora in the city of Caracas.

Welcome Master Watussi and we hope that all salsa lovers through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsamundi.com, will know part of his life.

Thanks to all the staff for giving me the opportunity to read your magazine, which is already observed in Latin America, USA and Europe.

Orlando José Castillo "Watussi" The Venezuelan Sonero graduated in New York — Orlando José Castillo “Watussi”

And well, I am currently living in the city of Milan, Italy and let me tell you that I have beautiful and unforgettable memories of Barquisimeto, so for me it is a pleasure and an honor at the same time, to be sharing with all those people and my country.

To begin with, Maestro Watussi, which were the first groups and orchestras you were part of? Let me tell you that I started with Los Satélites, Federico y su Combo Latino, Porfi Jiménez, Príncipe y su Sexteto and that was super important, since they were the Venezuelan orchestras with which I began to form my career, especially with Los Satélites, Porfi, Federico; I sincerely owe the present of my life to all of them and that is why I do not want to leave them out of the picture.

"Watussi" The Venezuelan Sonero graduated in New York — Orlando José Castillo “Watussi”

Very good teacher, we would like to talk about your career in Puerto Rico and in the United States, with the various groups with which you were part.

Well, I tell you that I left Venezuela in 1979 definitely because I traveled for the first time in 1971, musically speaking, and it was my first international tour to the island of Santo Domingo with Los Satélites and then we returned in 72 and in 1974 we were the first Venezuelan orchestra to set foot on American soil in New York City.

NY being on the most important stage in the world at that time as it was Madison Square Garden and the importance of imposing a hit of musical salsa in the Big Apple, with a song I recorded called “Traicionera”, by the master Carlos Guerra and recorded with “Los Satélites”, after that experience I was founder of the “Renovación”, from there I went to be part of “Federico y su Combo Latino”; Then I worked with Rafael Cortijo and his Combo in Puerto Rico in 1977.

Later, in 1979, I went to the island of Borinquén, Cortijo was already traveling to New York and because I could not accompany him, I was lucky enough to be asked by the maestro Bobby Valentín to be part of his band. I stayed with him for three months and at one point I went to New York, The strike of Puerto Rican musicians, as many Dominican musicians were entering the island, led to Bobby being criticized for having a Venezuelan singer instead of a Puerto Rican one.

Later, in New York, I joined Cortijo and Kako Bastar again, who was another teacher in my career and with him I learned to know that great city and at that time almost all the singers of the orquestas bravas, were beginning to do their own work as soloists and I began to work with Joe Cuba and his Sextet, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, La Típica 73, until I arrived at the “Conjunto Libre”, I was there for about a year and a half, I recorded with them “El changó de María”.

After I had signed with the Fania label, which was a mistake I made, because Cortijo and Kako were telling me not to do it, since I had Fania in my brain, I rushed and was with them for a year practically inactive in the discography and that cost me not to have recorded the last album with Rafael Cortijo and others.

I recorded with Fania “Mi rumba y yo” and told them to leave me alone, they let me go and I joined the orchestra of “Bobby Rodríguez y su Compañía” for three years, I recorded a very good album, including the songs “María Cristina”, “El Pintor”, “Homenaje a Cortijo”.

In fact Carlos, then I continued with Palmieri in 1987, when I had already recorded the album “Las Calaveras” with José Mangual Jr. and there I began my career as a soloist.

Later on I set up my orchestra in New York, but unfortunately work began to decline due to the closure of venues such as El Corso, Casablanca, Copacabana, El Palladium and that brought as a consequence much less work, but thank God, in 1988 I had the opportunity to go to Paris, invited by my compadre Alfredo Cutuflá, in the place of Cheo Feliciano, to do the dance of December 31st at the New Morning.

Excellent, master Watussi, and it must have been a great commitment to replace Cheo at that time, tell us about this experience. Yes, I was fortunate to take his place because he did not travel at that time without his orchestra and Alfredito Cutuflá told me to get Cheo, I had his telephone number, I gave it to him and he told me that if Cheo did not go, I would go, and well it was a tremendous success with Cutuflá and that opened the doors for me in Europe and specifically in Italy, where my friend Carlos Ugueto was based, who brought salsa to that country.

Orlando José Castillo "Watussi" — Orlando José Castillo “Watussi”

Ugueto played the first album of this genre on his radio program, in his club and after he found out that I was in France, he sent for me and facilitated a tour in Milan in 1990, since in 1989 I was in Panama, singing to my compadre’s daughter Roberto “Mano ‘e Piedra” Durán, his 15 year old party, together with Camilo Azuquita, exactly on December 16, 1989,

but on December 19 the invasion of Panama began and I had to stay there until January 5 and well Carlos, I go to Europe and start my tour in Holland, then London, where I did a show with the master Tito Puente, on December 30, 1990, there I was 2 months in the old continent; I returned to New York, where I was residing, and in 1991 I returned to Europe and that’s when I stayed here for good with my family in Milan.

Orlando José Castillo, when you come to Venezuela, we imagine you will feel very well because you are visiting your homeland?

Of course I do, professor, when I go to my country I recharge my batteries, because there is no place like Venezuela, no matter what happens and I tell you honestly, I hope one day to be able to be in Barquisimeto with you, especially to personally show my appreciation for this gesture of having given my name to that “Peña Salsera Orlando Watussi”, in the middle of 2019, being the first time in Venezuela, to give me an honor of that size; especially my thanks to Dany Castillo and my family there, precursors of that idea, and to all the musicians of the musical capital to whom I send a cordial greeting.

Master Watussi, I am remembering that you were integrating the “Clan of Salsa” here in our city, do you remember that too?

Obviously, my friend Carlos, I was there with one of the bravest singers that Venezuela has given, my little brother Willy Rodriguez, who unfortunately is no longer with us.

Willy “El Guaro”, took care of me in his house for a few days, until I got my house in Barquisimeto; I am going to take advantage of this interview professor, to thank the family of Aldemar Barrera, the family of Honorio, tremendous bass player, Coromoto, who was the engine of that movement; greetings equally to Egidio and to all those panas.

Carlos, I want to greet especially the people of the Orquesta Malecón, I hope that one day we can meet on a stage and make a little effort, or perhaps in the Peña itself.

Orlando José Castillo, what can you tell us about Maestro Baquedano? Santiago Baquedano is one of the best musicians Venezuela has ever given and with him I worked on Margarita Island for a few months and from there I went to “La Salsa Mayor” and then I went to Puerto Rico, but I feel proud to have shared with so many valuable people from my country in my 50 year artistic career.

And let me tell you Carlos, just to finish, I reiterate my congratulations and good wishes for you to continue always with the work you do with this salsa column and your radio program, which aims to support and encourage musical talent in salsa.

Thank you Carlos and God bless you, take care all of you in my country and don’t leave the house! Cool…!.

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Choco Orta The Queen of Flavor

Choco Orta: “The Queen of Flavor and the Diva of Puerto Rico”

Virgen Milagros Orta Rodríguez is the first name of “La Reina Del Sabor”: Choco Orta, as this Puerto Rican actress, percussionist and singer-songwriter is internationally known. She was born in Santurce, a traditional neighborhood in San Juan, the capital city of La Isla Del Encanto.

Choco is the only female daughter in a home formed by the brothers Tomás Jr., Jaime, Gilberto (her twin) and Ismael; fruits of the union of don Tomás Orta Abad and doña Andrea Rodríguez Rivera. By the way, the brothers are mostly percussionists, among amateurs and professionals.

The father, Don Tomás, is an excellent guitarist and Mrs. Andrea, the mother, has a privileged voice. We could say, then, that Choco Orta’s talents are “purebred”.

In Santurce, specifically in the area known as El Chícharo, Choco’s childhood, adolescence, and youth are present.

The blackness of this neighborhood cradled and nursed her, imprinting on her a deep imprint that she knew how to capitalize on and externalize in her artistic development.

Choco still remembers and celebrates the improvised musical meetings in her neighborhood with neighbors and friends, in which to the rhythm of percussion instruments they recreated the famous rumbas that blacks and blacks of the Caribbean turned into one of the most recognized standards of their culture.

This activity led her to become interested in her musical training, which she did in a self-taught manner first and then alongside renowned musicians from the patio such as Giovanni “Mañenguito” Hidalgo, Anthony Carrillo, and Angel “Cachete” Maldonado.

Recognized teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico offered him knowledge of Theory and Solfeggio, and great cultivators (men and women) of classical and popular dance also contributed to mold the artist that we know today.

In the academic field Choco Orta, she is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree after graduating with honors (Cum Laude) from the Theater Education Program of the Rio Piedras campus of this prestigious University.

Choco’s academic formation, oriented to the teaching of Theater in schools, was not capitalized as such; however, it allowed her to venture into the stage by staging diverse plays in Puerto Rico such as “La Verdadera Historia De Pedro Navaja”, “El Bombón De Elena”, etc.; she even mounted her own show: “Choco, Mambo Y Algo Más” (at the end of the ’80s), through which she musically recreated the golden ages of the ’40s and ’50s.

We finish the current appearance of this brilliant artistic career of Choco Orta with the celebration of its 30 years in music — She was born in Santurce, a traditional neighborhood in San Juan, the capital city of La Isla Del Encanto

Television programs such as “La Tiendita De La Esquina” (comedy) and “Latino” (musical program), also record Choco’s talent. As if that weren’t enough, the seventh art: the cinema, also knew about the talent of this complete artist. “Bala Perdida”, “Dios Los Cria” and “Assassins 1995” are proof of Choco Orta’s talent and versatility.

Her entrance to the recording rooms is produced by the hand of the famous trombonist and conductor Julio “Gunda” Merced, who on one occasion enjoyed an improvised presentation of Choco with the Giants of the South.

That night, Gunda Merced made the approach to Choco, and some months later the musical production AND SOMETHING MORE! (Gunda Merced Y Su Salsa Fever) included the songs “Huracán” in Choco Orta’s voice and “El Baile Del Buey Cansao” (Choco Orta in duet with Raquel Velázquez). The year was 1987.

The first years of the 90’s present us with a multifaceted Choco Orta: always in music and accompanied by diverse formations: trios, quartets, etc.; also doing jingles and commercials for radio and television, but also internationalizing her work with various participations in the Club Hammou (southeast of France known as French Riviera or Costa Azul) and as it corresponds in an artist avid of knowledge: nourishing herself with the people and their culture.

By 1997 -always under the guidance of Julio “Gunda” Merced- with the support of the record label Musical Productions (MP) of the late but always remembered Tony Moreno, Choco Orta published his debut album. It was titled SENTIMIENTO Y SABOR (Feeling and Flavor) and presented us with 10 very well achieved cuts that quickly placed themselves at the top of the Latin music charts (Basta, Y Qué De MI, Yo Perdí El Corazón, El Hombre Que Yo Amo, etc.).

By the way, this production was presented at the MIDEM Convention for Latin America, which is why Choco Orta recorded an official video clip of the song “El Hombre Que Yo Amo”. MIDEM is the chapter for music professionals of Reed MIDEM: a professional market organizer founded back in 1963.

SENTIMIENTO Y SABOR was also featured in PULSE Magazine! (USA) and Choco would later be invested as Ambassador of Puerto Rican Culture in Tampa, Florida. He also obtained the Farándula Award (Puerto Rico) as best salsa singer and made an extensive and acclaimed tour in the Dominican Republic, performing in various Dominican stages including television sets.

She is remembered -also- until today, her ovation and applause with La Universidad De La Salsa, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, for the 16th edition of the National Salsa Day (1999) in the Juan Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón.

In 2001, Choco Orta received an invitation from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico to be part of their famous annual production entitled RAÍCES. Here Choco performs two songs with the accompaniment of two important musical institutions from the patio, the Orchestra of Maestro Lito Peña (Para Los Boricuas Ausentes) and the Orchestra of Maestro William Cepeda (Melitón Tombé).

That same year, it was part of the production of the Borinquen quartet player José Antonio Rivera Colón, better known as “Tony Mapeyé”, with the title VIEQUES, TIERRA PARA LA PAZ. Here he prints his vocal record in the songs Ni Bala Inerte Ni Viva and Plegaria Por Vieques.

Then to round off a great year, the release of his second production is made official: this one would be titled LA REINA DEL SABOR and from that record label, we continue enjoying the quality and flavor of songs like La Nueva Reina Del Sabor, Que Pague, Se Acabó Y Punto, etc. In this production, the tribute paid to “El Rey Del Timbal” stands out: Ernesto “Tito” Puente, who was the one who nicknamed Choco as “La Nueva Reina Del Sabor” (The New Queen of Flavor), a theme that is also Choco’s incursion into composing.

The repercussion of the song was such that Choco Orta briefly established himself in New York where he performed in renowned venues such as the Copacabana, to offer successful presentations, accompanied by orchestras such as that of the famous Dominican pianist and arranger Ricky González.

At this time of year, we also highlight her journey through various cities of the Major Island: Cuba, where she was loudly applauded during her participation in the Fifteenth International Festival of Golden Boleros and distinguished as the Favorite Daughter of Christ, a community near Santiago (Cuba).

The years between 2001 and 2009, allowed Choco to record in three recognized collaborations:

– HIJOS DE LA SALSA GORDA: published in 2004 under the concept of La Mundial De La Salsa with the direction of the pianist and arranger Willie Sotelo. Here Choco Orta performs the song “Me Saludas A La Tuya”.

– Cuando Hay Amor” is another of Choco’s well-achieved songs that includes his profuse record of collaborations. This number is part of the production EL CORTE PERFECTO (2004) with the Orquesta Sueño Del Caribe.

– In 2006, Mr. Afinque Willie Rosario publishes his production LA BANDA QUE DELEITA in which he invites Choco to bring to life with his voice the song “Lo Que Más Yo Quiero”, a song -by the way- that is a must in Choco’s personal presentations.

We arrive to the year 2009, musically speaking, and Choco Orta of the hand of “El Caballero De La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, as well as of Charlie Donato (both in the executive production and choirs) and Rei Peña (in the musical direction), publishes its third discographical plate. This one is entitled AHORA MISMO, a production of nine successful songs among which “Ahora Mismo”, “Por Accidente”, “Marido Majadero”, etc. stand out. We highlight in this production the duet with Moncho Rivera -his guest on the album- to evoke and pay tribute to the remembered union between Celia Cruz & Ismael Rivera for the song “Cúcala”.

In 2011, Choco delighted us with a new production entitled CHOCO SWING. This work was considered among the 20 Best Productions of 2011 by the National Foundation for Popular Culture. On this plate we find again Rei Peña as a musical producer, Choco’s pen stands out represented by the excellent theme Homenaje A Las Soneras, a tribute made a song with which Choco highlights the presence of women in the musical world; additionally, you can enjoy compositions of Gino Meléndez and Raúl Marrero, among others; having magnificent arrangements of musicians of the height of Ricky Zayas, Guillermo Calderón, Ernesto “Tito” Rivera, Carlos Torres, etc.

The next seven years (2011 – 2018) have been prolific in collaborations and here is a synthesis of these:

– Ralphy Santi y Su Conjunto (2012): The Puerto Rican musician (Ponce) invites Choco Orta to be part of his extensive discography. The musical production is entitled HOMAGE TO THE DANCER and there he performs the song “Sin Clave Y Bongó No Hay Son”.

– Orquesta Guayacan (2013): The popular Colombian group celebrated at that time its 25 years of institutional musical trajectory, for which they publish the production 25 YEARS, 25 SUCCESSES, 25 ARTISTS, in which Choco is responsible for the theme “Como Una Hoguera”.

– Kambalache Negro (2014): Group led by Peruvian percussionist Robert “El Chino” Bolaños, an “old” acquaintance of Choco as he integrated and is part of Choco’s musical staff for his presentations at the Iron Babel: New York. In this production titled POR FINAL EN LA CALLE, Choco performs the song “Añoranzas”.

– La Orquesta Del Solar (2017): Orchestra whose musical epicenter is the Spanish capital: Madrid and is composed of musicians of various nationalities (Peruvian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Spanish, etc.) and led by Ecuadorian Julio Mena. In this production entitled BACK TO MY ROOTS, several of the singers that the group usually accompanies when they perform in Spain are invited. Choco Orta is the voice of the song “No Insistas Más”.

– Medley Soledad Bravo” song that will be part of the production LEGACY OF WORLD SALSA of the outstanding Venezuelan musician and arranger Mauricio Silva. In this medley, Choco Orta participates with Marianella (Venezuela) and Mélida Trujillo (Panama). Choco interprets the song “Son Desangrado” by Silvio Rodríguez and his colleagues the song “Déjala Bailar” by Chico Buarque.

– Noel Quintana & The Latin Crew (2018): Recent musical work by percussionist Noel Quintana who has invited a series of renowned singers to this production. Choco Orta gives life to Pedro Jesús’ composition “Qué Viva La Salsa”, a tribute this time to the dancer, an important element of this artistic binomial: dance-music. The production is entitled NOEL QUINTANA & THE LATN CREW VOL. 1.

– Abran Paso Orchestra: The Abran Paso Orchestra is getting ready to launch its new musical production soon. For this musical work, Choco has been invited to interpret a theme of the French musician and composer Paul Mauriat that, for the Latin environment, decades ago La Lupe adapted and interpreted (in Spanish) for our enjoyment. Its title: “Si Vuelves Tu”.

We should also refer to some singles that were recorded by Choco Orta, as is the case here:

– Chico Is The Man (2010): Adaptation of the song that José Feliciano (Chico And The Man) popularized, aimed at celebrating the arrival of the young Mexican soccer player Javier Hernández Balcázar known as “Chicharito” to England when he was hired by the English soccer team Manchester United.

– Killing Me Softly (2013): Crossover of the theme “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, based on Lori Lieberman’s poem “Killing Me Softly With His Blues”. Lori was his first performer but became notorious in the early ’70s with Roberta Flack. Choco gives this song a characteristic feeling when performed in its original language.

– Bomba Lamento Para Oscar López Rivera (2015): Interpreted to the rhythm of bomba, this song by Choco Orta demanded the immediate release of the now free Oscar López Rivera: a Puerto Rican politician who defended the independence of the island and who served 35 years in prison in the United States.

– Tofu Sin Lechón (2016): This song is based on the lifestyle of its composer and performer who has had a vegan lifestyle for approximately 30 years.

We round up and finish the present semblance of this brilliant artistic career of Choco Orta with the celebration of her 30 years in music. An event also marked by the publication of the musical production entitled CHOCO ORTA: 30 AÑOS REPARTIENDO SABOR.

At the beginning of 2017, he published the song “Te Perdí La Fe” by the notable Elizabethan composer (Puerto Rico) Johnny Ortiz, with which he began the recordings of his fifth personal musical work. He then recorded in Colombia an inspiration of the late poet Petronio Álvarez, “Mi Buenaventura”.

It continues with a theme of the also disappeared composer Palenque, that made very popular Ismael Rivera with Cortijo y Su Combo: “Severa”, here Choco Orta correctly “improvises” vindicating in first person Severa as a black woman and although humble, beautiful and intellectual.

It was March of that year when Puerto Rico received waves of media and fans of the salsa movement and their representatives, who from different parts of the planet attended the “National Salsa Day” organized by the Z-93 radio company.

The festivities begin in the days before the central (usually the third Sunday of the month) and for the past year, Choco Orta took advantage of the occasion and captivated the attendance of the dance of its 30th Anniversary in The Latin Roots, a local located in El Viejo San Juan.

The presence in Puerto Rico of José Alberto “El Canario”, one of the guests of the National Day, made possible the recording in the studios of Maestro Ángel “Cucco” Peña of the song “Sé Que Tú”, an event to which a good part of the international press had access.

Lino Iglesias, Choco’s friend and ad honorem advisor, composed the song “Choco Orta: 30 Años De Sentimiento Y Sabor”, a musical portrait of The Queen of Flavor is recorded before her trip to Cuba with the purpose of recording the songs “Canta Choco Canta” by the Cuban singer-songwriter living in Puerto Rico Juan José “Juanchi” Hernández and the bolero “Miénteme” (“Chamaco” Domínguez) under the arrangements of the Cuban guitarist and composer Reinaldo “Rey” Montesinos Muñoz and a pleiad of musicians from La Isla Mayor.

He includes in this production a theme of his own authorship and that he interprets together with Ismael “Maelo” Ruiz; by the way, a theme of the daily life and of necessary listening and analysis. Finally, he closes his production with the invitation of his musical brother, the great Herman Olivera, with whom he performs the song “Otro Amor”.

The production, although it should have been published at the end of last year, only saw the light in March of this year due to the circumstances that were lived after the passage of the hurricanes Irma and Maria (of this last one especially), that paralyzed all type of activity in Puerto Rico.

Weeks prior to this natural phenomenon, Choco Orta performed under the concept of The Last Fania Legends, which brought together in a much-applauded concert the still existing and former members of the Fania Machinery with a group of renowned guest musicians and singers, a concert of approximately four hours made the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón vibrate. For this show, Choco Orta paid a well-deserved tribute to Queen Rumba Celia Cruz, through three of her popular songs: Kimbara, Yerbero Moderno, and Bemba Colorá, whose performance brought the respectable audience to its feet.

To round out the faena, cutting “tail and ear”, Choco Orta joined the legendary duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, interpreting with them in a majestic way the theme “Cuando Me Digas Si”.

We return then to the launch of their recent production, the same one that is of great acceptance in Puerto Rico; Colombia, Peru, New York, and other countries and cities that pride themselves in being salsa musicians. He has been positioning himself with several of the themes that integrate this production, especially “Choco Orta: 30 Años De Sentimiento Y Sabor”, “Te Perdí La Fe” and “Otro Amor”.

It is also necessary to highlight the facet of Choco Orta as a woman who fights for the interests of her country and for a greater presence of women in the music industry; this through panels and talks in academic spaces and by sponsoring and promoting attendance at vegetarian and vegan restaurants, as well as diverse businesses.

We celebrate the trajectory of this great representative of Puerto Rican culture and her musical trail, which has been captured in acclaimed productions of her own and prestigious collaborations. The maturity is notorious and the feeling and flavor has also aged. Congratulations because we need and will have Choco for a while, we are sure of that.

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