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Search Results for: music

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 

Luis “Perico” Ortiz: six decades of impeccable musical trajectory

The lobby of the Centro de Bellas Artes in Caguas served as a prelude to the concert, entitled Tocando y contando historias (Playing and telling stories), for which we came to enjoy “Perico” and his guests. Mario Ortiz, Jr. brought together a dozen trumpet players (Luis Figueroa, Richie Segarra, Roby Texeira, Rafael Lebrón, Kevin Ibáñez, Ricardo Marrero, Kenneth Torres, Rubén Días, Ricky Zayas and Simón Rivera) to pay tribute to Luis “Perico” Ortiz by performing his most emblematic solo: ‘Coro Miyare’.

Luis "Perico" Ortiz and his Orchestra
Luis “Perico” Ortiz and his Orchestra

Once in the concert hall, the child trumpeter Daniel Torres (whom Perico predicted would be his successor) and Luis “Perico” Ortiz kicked off the concert with a fun trumpet correspondence. The musicians, turned into actors, shared with us the scene in which we saw Luis “Luisín” Ortiz as a child, playing ‘Quítate de la vía Perico’ with his trumpet; introduction that gave way to the custodian of Ismael Rivera’s legacy (“Moncho” Rivera) to sing the emblematic theme to which “Perico” owes his nickname, while the audience enjoyed images of “Maelo” on a giant screen. The short film defined how “El Sonero Mayor”, personified by “Moncho” told “Luisín”, that from that moment on he would be called “Perico”.

Moncho also interpreted ‘Bilongo’, a song in which Richard Carrasco stood out on the bongo after the saxophones made themselves felt with forcefulness. “Perico” also claimed his turn with the trumpet solo that preceded a resounding “Buenas noches” in the voice of the virtuoso trumpet player.

The orchestra was integrated by: Luis “Perico” Ortiz on musical direction; Yturvides Vilchez, Jan Duclerc and Rolando Alejandro Lora on trumpets; Rafy Torres, Jorge Díaz, Randy A. Román, Mario Alonso Ángel Marulanda on trombones; Roberto Calderón on baritone saxophone, Luis Daniel Valentín Muñiz on tenor saxophone; Antonio Luis Orta and Luis Fernando Hernández on alto saxophones; David Marcano on timbales; Gadwin Vargas Vélez on congas; Richard Carrasco Ayala on bongo; Juan Manuel Rivera Colón on piano; Carlos Luis Martínez Peña on bass; Henry Santiago and David Carrero on backing vocals.

Luis “Perico” Ortiz
Luis “Perico” Ortiz

Then, Henry Santiago received the microphone to sing ‘Tres grandes amigos’. For the song, which refers to Tito Rodríguez, Tito Puente, and Machito; “Perico” introduced “Manolito” Rodríguez and Arianelys Ortiz Cruz, a blind autistic timbalera player.

He was followed by Norberto Vélez, who performed ‘Julián Del Valle’ (1978, Súper salsa) and ‘De patitas’ (1979, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, One of a kind) – songs of great vocal and interpretative difficulty, popularized by the unmistakable voice of Rafael De Jesús – with his usual sympathy. Nor-Bert once again demonstrated his powerful voice, and was matched by the saxophones, whose forcefulness did not diminish the power of Vélez’s voice.

“La India” arrived with her usual energy to interpret ‘Químbara’ and “Manolito” did his part singing ‘La Reina es la rumba’, in company of “La India”, alternating on the soneos.

Coro Miyare” made use of Richard Carrasco’s unbeatable performance in the bongo solo with drumsticks -which had been popularized by Roberto Roena-, followed by the crushing solo by “Perico”, the piano solo by Juan Rivera, the conga solo by Gadwin Vargas and the timbales solo by David Marcano.

Richard Carrasco Ayala en el bongó y Luis “Perico” Ortiz
Richard Carrasco Ayala en el bongó y Luis “Perico” Ortiz

The highlight of the concert was Gilberto Santa Rosa’s brilliant renditions of ‘Atrevida’ and ‘Planté bandera’; recorded and immortalized by Tommy Olivencia’s La Primerísima, to which Santa Rosa briefly belonged.

After the intermission, as a tribute to the “Niño bonito de la salsa”, “Perico” invited Tony Vega to the stage to perform ‘Así se compone un son’ and ‘Borinquen tiene montuno’, the latter adorned with an elaborate trumpet solo by “Perico”.

“Perico” brought Gerardo Rivas to the stage to perform ‘Río abajo va’ (1985, La vida en broma), popularized in the voice of Domingo Quiñones. Gerardo explained that he had accepted the invitation to participate in the concert without knowing which song he was going to sing, in a clear allusion to the vocal difficulty of reaching Domingo’s vocal register. Gadwin Vargas sprinkled the theme with a conga solo with a mozambique beat, very well achieved. Gerardo’s second song, ‘Perico lo tiene’, brought to the stage the cacique of the Rivas dynasty (“Jerry” Rivas, singer of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico) on the tres and Richie Bastar (bongos player of La Universidad de la Salsa). While Bastar took over on the bongo and the bell, Richard Carrasco took over the güiro. At the end of the intervention, “Jerry” asked for a round of applause for the mulato mayor, Don Rafael Ithier, who was enjoying the concert with all of us who were there.

Then, “Perico” dedicated ‘Perfume de gardenias’ to his mother; a speech that was enjoyed with an instrumental prelude performed by “Perico” and a great vocalization by “El Caballero de la Salsa”.

Next up was Rubén “Panamá” Blades, who received a standing ovation from the audience. This made visibility difficult, although it did not affect our enjoyment of the audio. Blades was in charge of the big hits ‘Plástico’ and ‘Pedro Navaja’ (1978, Siembra). During ‘Pedro Navaja’ Gadwin Vargas replicated the conga sound that Eddie Montalvo immortalized on the recording.

The stage was full when all the guests arrived to perform ‘Como vivo yo’, after Perico announced with a trumpet solo the song that would end the show.

As Luis “Perico” Ortiz said, the vote of love and confidence that we witnessed there will be remembered as an unrepeatable evening, which detailed what has been six decades of impeccable career that the trumpeter, composer, arranger and music producer has achieved.

Luis “Perico” Ortiz y Gilberto SantaRosa
Luis “Perico” Ortiz y Gilberto SantaRosa
Bella Martinez Puerto Rico 

 

 

Also Read: ¡Attack Sergio! Unbreakable: A fun read because of the contradictory content

Yilian Cañizares, an excellent Cuban musician, studied in her hometown in the strictest tradition of the Russian school of violin

Yilian Cañizares is a Cuban and Swiss musician. She has lived in Switzerland since 2000.

Born in Havana, Yilian Cañizares began studying violin in her hometown, in the strictest tradition of the Russian violin school.

At the age of 14 she obtained a scholarship in Caracas and in 2000 she moved to Switzerland to complete her studies at the Freiburg Conservatory.

Soon after, the main orchestras in the area began to contact her and once settled in Lausanne, she collaborated for six years with different ensembles.

Yilian Cañizares excellent Cuban musician
Yilian Cañizares excellent Cuban musician

In Switzerland, she opened up to jazz and decided to embark on a new musical path, including singing in her career as a professional artist.

It was during this period that the artist decided to form a quartet with musicians from Germany, Venezuela and Switzerland (and later Cuba), and the group “Ochumare” was born, with which, just six months after its creation, in 2008, she won the prize of the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition.

From that moment on, his career has been growing steadily. In recent years, she has shared the stage with Ibrahim Maalouf, Omar Sosa, Youn Sun Nah, Richard Bona, Chucho Valdés, Roberto Fonseca, Dhafer Youssef, the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and El Comité.

She also teaches violin at the Ecole de jazz et de musique actuelle de Lausanne (EJMA).

The success of her albums “Ochumare”, an independent production released in 2013, followed by “Invocación”, under the direction of Alê Siqueira (who has collaborated with Roberto Fonseca, Omara Portuondo), has consolidated her notoriety as an innovative artist, capable of venturing and transcending musical boundaries.

Yilian Cañizares, an excellent Cuban musician, studied in her hometown in the strictest tradition of the Russian school of violin.
Yilian Cañizares, an excellent Cuban musician, studied in her hometown in the strictest tradition of the Russian school of violin.

She was listed by the French weekly Le Nouvel Observateur as “revelation artist of the year” for her great virtuosity and charisma with which she is able to sing and play the violin.

“My sound reflects the richness and mix of cultures that I carry with me to this day and represents who I am: woman, Cuban, musician and citizen of the world”, said the artist.

Her second album “Invocación” reached the top of the Qobuz – World Music chart and was re-released in a Deluxe edition.

“Aguas”, the album produced in collaboration with Omar Sosa, saw the light of day in October 2018.

Accompanied by another compatriot, Inor Sotolongo on percussion, the duo created an intimate and personal album that reflects the views of two generations of Cuban artists living far from their homeland.

This album is a mix of energetic rhythms and emotional ballads that clearly reflect the unparalleled musical chemistry that exists between the two artists.

It constitutes a powerful and unique fusion of Afro-Cuban roots, classical music and jazz.

On November 15, 2019 was released the new album “Erzulie”, with its new formation Yilian Cañizares & The Maroons and dedicated to the Haitian deity of love and freedom.

This album was recorded in New Orleans and features the participation of numerous guests such as Christian Scott (trumpet), Michael League (double bass), Bill Laurance (piano), Bobby Sparks (organ) and Justin Stanton (keyboards).

Yilian Cañizares es una música cubana y suiza. Vive en Suiza desde 2000.
Yilian Cañizares es una música cubana y suiza. Vive en Suiza desde 2000.

His style reflects the variety of his influences, with touches of jazz, classical music, Cuban music, with a large space left to improvisation.

The French magazine Les Inrockuptibles speaks of a jazz orchestration mixed with Yoruba ritual percussions.

She sings in Spanish, Yoruba and French and one of her distinctive features is that she sings and plays the violin at the same time.

There are so many influences on this album; Cuban, jazz, Venezuelan, Swiss, that it is difficult to pinpoint in each song which track falls into which category. In fact, they don’t.

Today it is too easy to want to pigeonhole music into one category: this is jazz; this is soul; this is funk. Yilian Canizares, in this wonderful album, breaks the stereotypes and that is why it is a pleasure to listen to it.

Sweet musical outbursts, explosions of improvisation that jump all over the place. He even finds a place to rap on “Iya Mi” and, obviously, it’s brilliant!

If we had to put a label on it, which I’m not thrilled about, I’d say this is a warm jazz album with Latin infused touches and tricks.

The meandering melody of “Beroni Abebe Osun”, the first track on the album, is a good indicator of this.

The throbbing bass, the heartbeat of the track, with its plucked violin, the blood pumping through his veins.

Cañizares is also a linguist, in case that wasn’t enough for us all to admire her.

The way he transitions from Spanish to perfect syllable-perfect French in his version of Edith Piaf’s “Je Ne Regrette Rien” (a beautiful version, by the way) is seamless and you could be forgiven for thinking it’s his first language.

It’s not easy to cover songs as big as Piaf’s classic, but Cañizares does it with style, class and, most importantly, grace.

Anything less than grace in a song like this makes it a bad version. It could be its own track, the strings perfectly light to complement the calmness of the voice and the ease with which Piaf’s lyrics take the weight of the world off our shoulders. I don’t regret a thing.” So simple. Yilian Canizares, we salute you.

And we’ll be on the lookout for the next album. 

(kreolmagazine)

Yilian Cañizares – Invocación (2015).

Musicians:

Yilian Cañizares (Violin and vocals).

Daniel Stawinski (Piano)

David Brito (Double bass and electric bass)

Cyril Regamey (Drums and percussion).

Guests:

Akua Naru on Iya Mi

Gabi Guedes Gã & atabaques Rum, Pi, lé

Blaise Lambelet English horn on Laïla

Caxeiras do Divino da Família Menezes, Graça Re Reis & Bartira Menezes Caxeiras & Bartira Menezes &

Brazilian choir in Beroni

Julia Stuller, Gàbor Barta, Ivan Zerpa strings in Non je ne regrette rien

Luis Carbonell Voice in Canciòn de cuna para dormir a un negrito (Lullaby to put a little black boy to sleep)

Juan Carlos Toca Voice in Mapucha

All the songs by Yilian Cañizares except Beroni Abebe Osun (traditional/ Y. Cañizares) and

Non je ne regrette rien (Vaucaire/Dumont)

String arrangement (Non je ne regrette rien ) by André Mehmari

Cyril Regamey uses exclusively Istambul cymbals, Vater drumsticks and Aquarian drumheads.

Information provided (December 30, 2023)

New CD AfroCuban & World Music HABANA BAHIA YILIAN CAÑIZARES 2023 2024
New CD AfroCuban & World Music HABANA BAHIA YILIAN CAÑIZARES 2023 2024

Yilian Cañizares

Also Read: José Alberto “El Canario” and his orchestra enjoy a great international reputation in the Latin music scene.

The Royalty of our Latin Music Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez first singer signed by Fania Records label

Pedro Juan Rodríguez, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez “La Realeza de la Salsa” (Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on January 31, 1933).

First singer signed to the Fania Records label in conjunction with the Johnny Pacheco Orchestra and of outstanding participation with the Fania All Stars and his own orchestra.

Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez
Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez

His father, who made his living as a musician playing in a string quartet that entertained parties and social gatherings, guided him during his first steps as a musician.

By the age of 6, little Pedro was very skilled with the bongo and singing popular Puerto Rican songs of the time.

Things became difficult after the death of his father and as a teenager Pete had to emigrate to the United States (1946) to live with his aunt in New York.

Once in New York, Pete managed to establish himself as a percussionist in the Orquesta Oriental Cubana. Before, long before joining the great Pacheco, Pete had to go through several orchestras among which stand out: Las Jóvenes Estrellas de Cuba (57), the Típica Novel and the Broadway from which he left for personal reasons.

In May 1962 Pete Rodriguez (he was not yet called El Conde), joined Pacheco in a Charanguero orchestra (flute, violin, rhythm and chorus). The first album with Pacheco was Suavito in 1963.

By 64 Jhonny Pacheco and Jerry Massucci founded Fania Records and created the internationally recognized Fania All Stars.

Pete was the first singer that Fania had, and on his shoulders was the responsibility of taking that project forward. On Fania’s first album Cañonazo (1964) Pete performs the song Fania, a composition by Josualdo Bolanos, with which the orchestra was inaugurated.

The Realiza of our Latin Music Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez
The Realiza of our Latin Music Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez

Rodriguez’s first appearance with Fania was at the Greenwich Village Red Garter Club in 1968.

For reasons of life Pete had to leave Jhonny Pacheco’s group; the concrete reasons for this separation will remain a mystery, but it seems that his departure was due to personal disagreements with other members of the group.

After Pacheco, Pete packed up his motets and moved with Rey Roig and the Sensación group (1964-1968). From his time with this group w For the years 66-67, Pete returned to the ranks with Pacheco. This was a more mature stage where the marvelous duo achieved their greatest hits: Azuquita Mami, Convergencia, La Esencia del Guaguanco, Sonero, Viralo al Reves and others.

The turmoil of the time, the world events, the new way of dressing and people’s way of thinking made Pete change his appearance; he let his beard grow and changed his hairstyle a little. This change gave him a new image and a new name “EL CONDE”.

The Pacheco-Rodriguez duo lasted approximately 8 years, since in 74 El Conde decided to go solo.

That same year El Conde released his best selling and Grammy award winning album El Conde (1974). Two years later (1976) El Conde became part of the Salsa Hall of Fame immortalizing himself with Catalina la O.

With the appearance of Salsa Romántica and the onslaught of Dominican merengue in the markets, salsa entered a crisis which was reflected in the musical work of El Conde. So between 1983 and 1990 El Conde managed to record only 5 albums of which Salsobita (1987) stands out.

In 1993 El Conde made way for his son Pete Emilio and his daughter Cita Rodriguez who joined the group as second voice and backing vocalist.

The family was already complete because Francis Rodriguez, his wife, was in charge of the administrative and financial part of the group.ere the following songs Salsa, Bailando Conmigo and his hit El Rincón.

El Conde made his last recording on the Masterpiece Album (1999) with Tito Puente (1923-2000) and Eddie Palmieri. This album is considered posthumous because in that same year (2000) Tito and El Conde passed away.

Cepelio de Pete El Conde Jhonny Pachoco, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda y Papo Lucca
Cepelio de Pete El Conde Jhonny Pachoco, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda y Papo Lucca

El Conde had suffered from heart problems for many years, but was always reluctant to have open heart surgery. Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez passed away of a heart attack on Saturday, December 2, 2000.

His remains were taken to his native Puerto Rico. He is survived by his wife Francis, his two sons Cita and Pedro Emilio, and his grandchildren.

Remains of Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez finally rest on the island. December 7, 2023 – After his death in 2000, the remains of Ponceño singer Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez were transferred from New York to the National Cemetery for veterans in Bayamón.

Ashes of Pete El Conde Rodriguez
Ashes of Pete El Conde Rodriguez

Source: El Pozo de la Salsa

Also Read: Héctor Martignon has been one of the most sought-after pianists on the Latin jazz scene in New York

Musical history of Roosevelt Cordova ”El Presidente de La Salsa”

Just as the case of Cuba and Puerto Rico, Peru has also given birth to many salsa exponents worthy of being highlighted and one of them is the talented Roosevelt Cordova, artistically known as ”El Presidente de La Salsa”. 

The sonero has a very interesting career behind him, so we decided to contact him and know a little more about his personal and professional life. Roosevelt responded by thanking us for the opportunity and finally, we were able to agree on a day and time to talk about issues of interest around his figure.  

Roosevelt El Presidente de La Salsa
This is Roosevelt Cordova ”El Presidente de La Salsa”

His taste in music since he was a child 

As has happened with many other salseros, Roosevelt also fell in love with music when still a child, but without knowing at the time that this is what he would dedicate his life to later. 

He always saw his family enjoying music at amateur level, which awakened in him a taste for this branch of art. However, his journey in this world did not begin with salsa, but with Peruvian waltzes and Creole music. It was not until he turned 17 that he became interested in salsa because an uncle of his signed him up for a contest called ”Buscando Un Sonero”, taking third place among 84 participants in total. 

Thanks to his performance in the contest, he was proposed to join the orchestra Camagüey, but his father refused because of all the excesses that an artist must face and he considered that his minor son was not ready for that. On the contrary, he preferred his son to be interested in other activities such as sports and leave music for later.  

In addition to this, the great references in which Roosevelt was inspired to follow his path have been El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Willie Rosario, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Héctor Lavoe, La Fania All Stars, among others.   

Roosevelt in Los Angeles 

It wasn’t until Roosevelt, at the age of 25, left for the United States that he could pursue his dreams and become the artist he dreamed he would be.   

He did not initially plan to devote himself to music, as he simply wanted to progress in life like any other immigrant, but it was not long before he decided to take the bully by the horns and return his great passion. It is then when he recorded an entire Peruvian Creole music album, but soon left this genre to return to recording salsa. 

This is how he began to seize every opportunity to participate in salsa orchestras to gain experience little by little.   

The first group he belonged to was La Sonora Santiaguera, which he joined in 1998, but from then on, there were many others with which Roosevelt learned much of what he knows today as an artist. 

Roosevelt in La Sonora and El Conjunto
Roosevelt Cordova belonged to La Sonora Santiaguera and Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad

One of the most important orchestras he belonged to was Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad. After all the experience gained so far, Roosevelt was encouraged to personally look for Johnny to talk to him at El Floridita, where El Conjunto Amistad performed weekly. 

The artist told the leader of the group he was a singer and wanted a chance in his group. After hearing him sing with his musicians that same night, Johnny invited him over to his home to give him a cassette with all the songs he had to learn to work formally with them. Two weeks later, he was already making his debut with Johnny and El Conjunto Amistad. His entry into the group coincided with the farewall of the lead singer, something that was just perfect for Roosevelt. 

Other groups 

After leaving El Conjunto Amistad, Roosevelt continued his career and joined Ángel Lebrón y Su Sabor Latino, with whom he recorded a full album. Some time later, he joined Guapacha Latin Jazz led by the Venezuelan Gil Tower, with whom the Peruvian has an excellent personal relationship, despite having separated professionally. 

In 2011, he became part of Conjunto Oye, which Roosevelt thinks is the best moment of his career because he was able to be himself within the orchestra and express his art with independence, something difficult in his previous groups. It was here that he had the growth he really needed to get ready and to take up greater challenges in the future.   

Solo career  

The information we found about his solo career revealed that Roosevelt went solo in 2019, but he corrected us by saying that, in reality, his first solo album ‘‘Un Nuevo Cantante” was recorded in 2018, which is when he really decided to open paths on his own. 

Although he says he is grateful to all the bands he has played in, he also adds that there comes a point in life where every artist wants to build his own path when he already fulfil the conditions for that. In his case, he already had experience in singing, composing and creating useful contacts, so he gave himself the opportunity to try. The best thing is that his wife supported him at all times and, today, she continues to be his rock in whatever he sets out to do.   

He also noted that he dreams of having his own orchestra someday and that it is important to have dreams in order to get where you want to be.  

Roosevelt singing
Roosevelt Cordova singing on stage

 

Roosevelt Cordova ”El Presidente de La Salsa”

When we wanted to know the origin of his artistic name, he laughingly told us that it is all abut his first name. Let us remember that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President of the United States and his last name coincides with the singer’s first name. 

When someone approached him to ask for a picture and asked his name, he said he had the same name as former U.S. President Roosevelt. Since this situation constantly repeated, his wife proposed him to use this to create a stage name for himself. That is how ”El Presidente de La Salsa” was born. 

Llegó La Navidad 

Currently, Roosevelt is currently promoting his new Christmas song ”Llegó La Navidad” of his own authorship. The idea of composing the song came from his wife and daughter, who insisted that it was time for him to release music written by himself.   

So, he started the writing with the chorus and, from there, continued with the rest of the song. This is a technique he uses regularly when composing, as he ensures that people always remember the chorus more than the rest of the lyrics, so he always strives to have a catchy chorus that stands out in the public’s mind. 

Read also: We bring trombonist Félix O. Rodriguez from Santurce to ISM 

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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.