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Harry Fraticelli. Its birthplace was the city of Yauco, Puerto Rico

Its birthplace was the city of Yauco, Puerto Rico on July 6th.  He is so proud of it that he proclaims it in every place he visits.

His older brothers distinguished themselves by playing stringed instruments.  They would play threesome tunes to lull Harry to sleep during his childhood.

That’s how Harry’s love and inclination to the peculiar strings of the guitar grew.

He demonstrated his ability to play stringed instruments correctly at the age of 12, his brother tutored him in traditional Serenades.

He played the “Maracas” and was the First Voice of the Trio in those performances.

Harry along with his brother Julio Erving and Jose Luis (Cheli) Padilla moved to San Juan in 1962. They formed the Trio Los Altairos.

How many artists of that time debuted in the Tribuna del Arte Program of Don Rafael Quiñones Vidal.  They won First Prize and Harry was recognized with a professional musician.

Thus he expanded his musical art. He learned to write musical arrangements, play bass and various string instruments. He stood out as the first voice in the trios. He cultivated and perfected his style with self-discipline.

He joined the pop ballad group Aidita Viles and Los Del Río with Máximo Torres in 1964.  They presented their musical show at the Caribe Hilton Hotel for several years.  They also performed in all the towns of Puerto Rico.

The maestro, Máximo Torres offered him the great opportunity to record as a soloist in 1969. Maximo created the band “Los Barbarians” and with them Harry recorded his first album with the title “El Mamito”. The song “El Mamito” included in that album was the one that made him famous and internationally recognized as a performer in the Salsa genre.

He then recorded the bolero “Te Pido Perdón” with great success. The song “Temeridad” became one of the public’s favorites very soon. Harry Fraticelli and Los Barbarians participated in recordings and performances with distinguished figures of Puerto Rican entertainment such as: Héctor Lavoe, Richie Ray, Bobby Cruz, Willie Colón, José Miguel Agrelot and Tito Rodríguez, among others.

Harry was the moderator of two radio programs in Yauco.  He interviewed great figures of Puerto Rican entertainment such as the illustrious composer Don Pedro Flores, comedians José Miguel Agrelot and Adalberto Rodríguez “Machuchal”, among others.

The phrase “in recognition of being a Yaucano who through music has raised the name of the people who saw him born” have left in Harry a pleasant and unforgettable memory.  The protocol acts were in February 2004.

He has participated in multitudinous artistic spectacles next to recognized figures of our show business: Cristian Castro, Chucho Avellanet, Danny Rivera, Ednita Nazario, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Julio Ángel, Lucecita Benítez, Manny Manuel, Máximo Torres y Los Murcianos, Papo Valle and his Trío Borinquen, Pijúan and Los Baby Boomer Boys, Tato Díaz and his Drim Tim Trío, Tavín Pumarejo, Trío Los de San Juan, among others.

He has displayed his musical talent in prestigious hotels such as the Caribe Hilton, Condado Plaza, Courtyard Marriott, Embassy Suites, Four Points By Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, La Concha, Marriott, Radisson, Ritz Carlton, Sheraton Convention Center, Travelodge, etc.

He participates as a professional singer in the group Los Baby Boomer Boys.  He participated in the two recordings of the CDs: “Bohemia Bailable” 2010 and “Solo Pa’ Los Jóvenes de Corazón” 2014.

The outstanding salsa musician Joe Quijano invited him to join as a singer in 2011 for the musical production with unreleased songs by Tite Curet Alonso. He performed as a soloist the song “Te Amé”, in the salsa genre on the CD, “Lo Inédito de Tite Curet Alonso 50 Años Después”, in duet with Paquito Guzmán on “Nube Negra” and participated in the chorus.

He has performed as a soloist in fifteen (15) musical productions during his professional career, but has participated in countless recordings as a Guitarist, Requintist, First, Second and Third Voice.

As a trios music lover he offered his time for several years in the position of Secretary of the “Puerto Rico Trios Music Foundation”.

He participated in the program “Así Canta Puerto Rico”, with the prestigious producer Luis Vigoreaux, Son, transmitted by Channel 6 and in the United States by WAPA AMERICA.  She was the First Guitar and Second Voice of the beloved artist Tavín Pumarejo during the last 20 years of Tavín’s artistic career.  They played typical Puerto Rican music and boleros.

Harry was the Music Director on the musical project “El Gran Sentimiento de Fufi Santori” (Fufi Santori’s Greatest Feeling) which contains eleven (11) songs by Puerto Rican sports star, José “Fufi” Santori (RIP).  The CD was released in May 2011.

Harry was awarded by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture with the Trio Musician of the Year Award in its 18th edition.  The events took place at the Paseo de las Artes in Caguas in February 2013.

He produced his CD Harry Fraticelli y sus Amigos on 11/2013. He performs traditional tunes as a soloist, with his Trio and shared honors with the incomparable Tavín Pumarejo who agreed to come out of his self-retreat to participate.  Harry and Tavín formed the “Dúo Poca-Jontas” which was very popular with their fans in Puerto Rico and the United States.

The Casa Museo de la Música Amaury Veray in Yauco included Harry in the Galería de Músicos Yaucanos on 10/2014.  He is listed alongside such famous compueblanos in the art of music as Amaury Veray, Kike Lucca and Johnny Albino among others.

The song Son Pa’ Barrio Obrero and other of his hits continue to be heard in Colombia. The successful presentation of 3/2014 in Cali, Colombia revived in Harry the desire to return to his roots in “Salsa”.

That was why he decided to record a single with the starring participation of the talented Jerry Rivas on the Tres. The single includes the bolero rhythmic Flor Pálida and Puras Mentiras in the Salsa genre.

Harry Fraticelli was chosen among more than 500 international singers for the Maximum Image Award 2014-2015 in the category Voice International Impact of Venezuela in July 2015.  He competed with prestigious singers such as Franco De Vita, Chayanne, Myriam Hernandez, Valeria Lynch, Ricardo Arjona, Samuel Hernandez, among others.  He obtained an honorable second place with the highest vote obtained by a Puerto Rican until 2015.

Harry conducted for 2 years the program “Harry Fraticelli De Todo un Poco” in (Emisora Sol Latina de Buenos Aires) through the “Web” since 2015. His audience was over half a million people on the Internet.

It participated in the 60th Cali Fair in December 2017 on a spectacular stage.  There he presented his concert in front of an audience of more than 10,000 people.  Harry felt great emotion when he noticed the large audience and began to sing the song “Soñando con Puerto Rico”.  He was accompanied by the BoleOro Orchestra conducted by Carlos Cordoba from Cali, Colombia.

He is the Musical Director of Harry Fraticelli and his Trio which he maintains simultaneously with his other artistic projects. They perform in hotels and in private activities.

He offers musical and cultural shows with varied options:

– Harry Fraticelli “One Band Man”

– Harry Fraticelli in Bohemia

– Harry Fraticelli to Duo

– Harry Fraticelli and his Trio

– Harry Fraticelli and his Combo

– Harry Fraticelli and his Conjunto de Música Típica

– Harry Fraticelli and The New Barbarians

He produces and hosts his weekly program Harry Fraticelli y sus Amigos on Radio WIPR Maxima 940 AM with interviews to personalities of our show, anecdotes and live songs with a large local and international audience since 2/2018.

Harry Fraticelli returns to the stage with his new CD that includes Salsa Gorda, Son Montuno and Boleros with the title Harry Fraticelli y Los Nuevos Barbarians.

He has the participation of Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivas and Tony Rivas’ choirs and a select group of excellent musicians.  He hopes to complete the production in 2020.

(The recording has been stopped due to the Covid Pandemic)

He returned to producing and conducting the Harry Fraticelli Show De Todo Un Poco y Más… on Thursdays at 8:00 P. M. Sol Latina Broadcast (www.emisorasollatina.com.ar) on 6/2020.

Although he remains isolated by COVID’s Pandemic regulations, as soon as conditions allowed he organized a Bohemia for Paquito Guzman during his convalescence.  Together with Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivas made the great bolero player Paquito Guzmán vibrate with emotion.  (https://youtu.be/OnBN851O9DQ )

That day, Paquito Guzmán asked for another bohemian to be brought to him, but with the songs of his idol Cheíto González.  He did the same and was pleased with the San Juan Trio (Luis Díaz, Tony Bermúdez and Harry Fraticelli).  That day he enjoyed the improvement in his health and they managed to get Paquito Guzmán to join the trio on several occasions.  (https://youtu.be/wXDgmdVWMI8 )

Harry has mastered the performance of ALL tropical genres, has the virtue of integrating with other singers and musicians without rehearsal. He is distinguished in the musical environment as a virtuoso in the Guitar, in the Requinto and in the Bass.  In addition, he plays the Maracas perfectly.

Harry is multifaceted, a stanchion, has a high level of performance and is very professional.  His artistic talents, his human quality in combination with his musical knowledge have earned him respect and high esteem locally and internationally.

He is also an exemplary citizen with an excellent reputation. He has kept his professional and personal life free of scandals or negative remarks.

Harry Fraticelli is grateful for the appreciation, support for his artistic career and positive feedback he receives through social networks and in his activities.

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Iris Morales – 787-810-6259

Email: [email protected]

 

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Jimmie Morales was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Puerto Rican parents

Jimmie Morales was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Puerto Rican parents.

He spent his early childhood listening to American popular music on the radio, and it wasn’t until 1967, when his family moved to Puerto Rico, that he became fascinated with Caribbean music, especially the salsa genre.

Jimmie’s first foray into music was with the guitar, but his father gave him a bell and, later, a conga drum that would become his main artistic fascination.

He learned of his interest by listening to Cuban, Puerto Rican and New York salsa records; also to congueros such as Milton Cardona, Eddie Montalvo, Patato Valdés, Cándido Camero, Mongo Santamaría, Johnny Rodríguez and his favorite: the late Ray Barretto.

In a very short time, he found himself making inroads with local bands, and sharing his talent with the renowned singer Tito Allen.

Jimmie Morales and his experience with Willie Rosario

In 1978, Jimmie joined the popular rhythmic band of maestro Willie Rosario, and for eight years obtained what he considers his best formal training in the music industry.

Concurrently, he began an impressive career as a top-level studio musician, achieving outstanding participation in performances by the most important artists of the salsa genre, including Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Roberto Roena, Oscar D’León, Lalo Rodríguez, Eddie Santiago and Frankie Ruiz, with whom he collaborated on each and every one of his solo recordings.

The sound of this great percussionist, his impeccable rhythm and his solid accompaniment defined him and have placed him convincingly as one of the most influential congueros of the last 30 years.

Trajectory with Gilberto Santa Rosa

In 1986, he joined a young Gilberto Santa Rosa, who had left Mr. Willie Rosario’s band to become the most prolific salsa singer in the last 25 years.

Since then he has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and South America offering percussion workshops and accompanying different artists in a consistent and successful career as a percussionist. Jimmie Morales has also accompanied great artists such as Willie Colón, Ismael Miranda, Tito Nieves, Juan Luis Guerra, Grupo Niche and Jerry Rivera, among others.

He is currently promoting his line of congas sponsored by the Remo Company. As if that were not enough, this talented conguero enjoys the genuine respect and appreciation of the Puerto Rican and Latin American people. His humility, his affable treatment and his charisma, together with his musical virtuosity, make him worthy of an indisputable place in the history of salsa.

Since then, he has traveled throughout the American continent, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and South America offering percussion workshops and accompanying different artists in a consistent and successful career as a percussionist.

Jimmie has also accompanied great artists such as Willie Colón, Ismael Miranda, Tito Nieves, Juan Luis Guerra, Grupo Niche and Jerry Rivera, among others. He is currently promoting his line of congas sponsored by the Remo Company.

As if that were not enough, this talented conguero enjoys the genuine respect and appreciation of the Puerto Rican people and of salsa connoisseurs worldwide. His humility, his affable treatment and his charisma, together with his musical virtuosity, make him worthy of an indisputable place in the history of salsa.

A conguero for history Jimmie Morales’ memoirs

“Mr. Slap”       

Bella Martínez (Author)

When all the congueros were imitating the king of the hard hands, Ray Barreto, Jimmie manages without intending to be the one chosen by the master Willie Rosario to accompany with the conga the tuning that Rosario had already established.

That Willie Rosario originality must have influenced Jimmie’s impeccable style.

Let’s not forget that when all timbaleros were imitating maestro Tito Puente, that irreverent coameño – maestro of maestros Willie Rosario knew how to be original.

Jimmie repaid the fate that accompanied him at that crucial moment with an immense dose of vocation.

And that stroke of luck in the leather didn’t manage to erase the humility of his being.

I invite you to read what I have managed to compile about Jimmie Morales, whom, with your authorization, I show in this work that pretends to be a summary of the life and work of this incredible musician.

Here you will also see that in spite of his perennial shy smile, his hands of stone do not give a break nor allow tropical music to ignore his monumental influence.

Jimmie, the human being who communicates through the leather of his conga, presents us with the musical strength he continues to share with the world. I am deeply grateful for the introspection and candor of his testimony.

I recognize that I am fortunate that Jimmie has agreed to give me part of his voice and to perpetuate this story. I insist that it was a sin not to share this legacy before, but now it was Mister Slap who beat the drum.

 

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