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” The Astro ” He is still among Friends

Puerto Rican trumpet player, composer, arranger and producer boricua, obligatory reference of the Puerto Rican and Latin music of the last three decades of the 20th century.

He has cultivated the most diverse styles, from Salsa, through Jazz, to Pop and Bolero. He is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Luis Esteban Ortiz Ruiz, better known as Luis “Perico” Ortiz, was born on December 26, 1949 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. “Perico” was born into the extreme poverty that housed so many families on the Island of Enchantment.

His love for music fueled his dreams, although without imagining the idol he would become, an artist who this year celebrates 55 YEARS of a fruitful career that led him to travel the world and push for more stars.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.

In 1970 he moved to New York, where he began his professional career working with the groups of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Machito and the legendary David Bowie among others, and was a regular collaborator of the Fania All-Star machine, the project of artists that popularized urban salsa around the world and collaborated with the companies Velvet of Venezuela and TH Rodven.

In 1977 he made his first solo recording under the Turnstyle label, a subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp. A year later he established his own orchestra and won the “Diplo” award for best trumpet player in Puerto Rico.

Elsewhere, in New York, “EL ASTRO” was awarded “Trumpeter of the Year, “Arranger of the Year”, “Best Orchestra” and “Musician of the Year” during the Latin New York Magazine Awards held in the Big Apple.

The musician, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, established numerous musical companies such as Sunrise Productions, Perico Records, Dialen Promotions Inc. and Dialen Recording Studios. Also

Dialen Publisher, founded a publishing house with licenses in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

In 1981 he was recognized by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE) as the best exponent of Latin music, an honor he shared with Julio Iglesias. In the following year he received another recognition from the ACE as Best Orchestra in New York.

In the summer of 1987 he wrote and conducted the soundtrack for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

Through his orchestra passed the voices of Rafael De Jesús, Billy Carrión, Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo, although it was with the latter two with whom he reaped the greatest triumphs of his extensive discography: Sabroso, Sabor tropical, In Tradition and El Isleño.

In 1988 he created his own production and recording company: Dialen Promotions, later Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, dedicated mainly to radio and television advertising. That same year he produced and arranged Barry Manilow’s Hey Mambo album.

Luis also worked in the advertising area producing, composing and arranging musical spots for radio and television commercials. In this aspect he did productions for commercial firms Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (Mc Donalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambrú Films, Blaze Productions, John Casablancas/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Canal 47 (TV campaign “Contigo Siempre”), among others.

In 1993 he moved to Puerto Rico where he established his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, Inc. with which he began professional production relationships with Disney, Buena Vista Television, There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office.

For Disney Corporation he produces part of the music for the television special “Christmas in the Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the hemisphere. Both projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

In 1995 he toured Colombia to promote the RMM label project, “The Perfect Combination”, performing in four concerts in front of more than 250,000 people who applauded him.

Later he opened with his Latin jazz group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95” and presented lectures, workshops and Latin jazz concerts in Aruba during its Carnival.

In February 1996 he traveled to Europe to perform in concert. A month later he arrived in Venezuela to perform in two concerts at the Poliedro. He produced a new recording for the RMM label, entitled “Café con leche y dos de azúcar”, and inaugurated his new orchestra on National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of more than 25,000 Salsa lovers.

In 1997 he produced for a Japanese record label “Sweet Basil”; a project featuring Yoshihito Fukumoto, former member of the famous Japanese orchestra La Luz, in a recording with ingredients of Latin jazz, R&B, salsa, rap, pop ballad and Brazilian rhythms.

He also produces for the Toshiba-EMI Limited label of Japan the compact disc “Bésame mucho” and for Sony of Puerto Rico “El cuarto Rey Mago”, a Christmas project by singer-songwriter José Nogueras for the multinational.

In 1998 he performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist of Lucecita Benítez. In the same way, he produces maestro Tommy Olivencia for the Polygram label and performs with his great friend, sonero Domingo Quiñones, in a series of concerts at Bellas Artes.

As the end of the century approaches, he releases an instrumental CD with bolero, cha-cha-chá, jazz/pop and salsa songs, entitled “Emociones”. It includes his versions of classics such as “Perfume de gardenia”, “Usted”, “Sin fe”, “Tu pañuelo”, “Silencio” and the Christian hymn “Cuán grande es él”.

With this release, Perico completes a discography that includes some twenty titles among which are “My Own Image”, “Super Salsa”, “One Of A Kind”, “El Astro”, “Sabroso”, “Sabor tropical”, “El isleño”, “Entre amigos”, “La vida en broma”, “In Tradition”, “Breaking The Rules”, “Vuelvo otra vez”, “At Valley Cottage”, “Acaban con tó”, “The Man, His Trumpet and His Music. .Are Back”, “La combinación perfecta”, “Café con leche y dos de azúcar” and “Luis Perico Ortiz – Éxitos Volumen I”.

Among other awards and recognitions, Perico Ortiz was named Best Salsa Performer in 1981 and Best New York Orchestra in 1982 by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE).

When he was just 10 years old Ismael Rivera was spying on him from a fence (HINT: THIS WORD COULD BE PUT IN ITS MEANING OR ASSOCIATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT A COMMON WORD FOR ALL COUNTRIES) near his rehearsal place in Tras Talleres. He approached him one day and baptized him “Perico” repeating with the battered trumpet he was assigned at the then fledgling Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan the notes of “Quítate de la vía Perico”, a song that would remain engraved in the history of popular music, and in his own.

“He told me, ‘They’re not going to call you Luis Esteban, they’re going to call you Luis Perico Ortiz and you’re going to be great,” he recalled of the second great memory of his musical beginnings. The first was in his home.

Chronological events of more and important interest:

1970-1976, works as a trumpet player, arranger, composer and producer for; Tito Puente, Machito, Mongo Santamaría, Tito Rodríguez, Fania All Stars (and all their artists), Velvet De Venezuela, TH Rodven and Johnny Pacheco.

1977, makes his first recording as a soloist under the Turnstyle label (subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp.).

1978-80 establishes his orchestra. Wins “Diplo” trophy as best trumpet player in Puerto Rico. In New York during the Latin New York Magazine Awards in 1978 he is awarded the following trophies; Trumpeter Of The Year, Arranger Of The Year, Best Orchestra Of The Year and Musician Of The Year.

1981-87, recognition granted in 1981 by the Asociación De Cronistas De Espectáculos {ACE} as the best Salsa/Caribbean Music interpreter, which he shared with Julio Iglesias.

In 1982 he received another recognition by ACE as Best Orchestra of New York. During the summer of 1987 he writes and directs the Score for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

1988-93, during 1988 produces, arranges and conducts Barry Manilow. Hey Mambo” project. In 1988 opens his own production company, Dialen Promotions Inc.

It is the first Puerto Rican company to offer multiple services in the area of production and recording with its own Analog/Midi recording studios.

Through his involvement with his company, Luis is involved in the advertising area producing, composing, sound engineering and arranging jingles for Radio and Television as well as Videos and Film Scoring.

Some of his accounts were: Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (McDonalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambru Films, Blaze Productions, Johnn Casablanca/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Channel 47 Television Campaign-“Contigo Siempre” and many more.

1993, returns to his homeland, Puerto Rico, and immediately establishes his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions Inc.

1994, establishes production relationships with Disney Corp, Buena Vista Television (California), There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office. For Disney Corp.

Produces part of the music for the television special “Navidad En Las Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office, he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the Western Hemisphere. These projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

1995, performs Artistic Tour of Colombia (RMM “The Perfect Combination”) where he performed a total of four concerts to over 250,000 people.

Opens with his Jazz-Latino group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95. Will make his next recording (Salsa) with his orchestra at the end of 1995.

1996, presents lectures, workshops and Latin Jazz concert in Aruba during its Carnival, February goes to Europe for concert, in March will perform in Venezuela for two concerts at the Poliedro, produces his latest production “Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar” under RMM Records & Video Corp, inaugurates his new Orchestra at the National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of 25,000 Salsa lovers.

1997, produces for the Japanese label Sweet Basil an American project (Latin Jazz, R&B, Salsa, Rap, Brazilian Music, Pop Ballad). Artist: Yoshihito Fukumoto (Former musician of the famous Japanese orchestra “La Luz”).

Establishes a new recording division within his company {LPO Productions Inc.}. It is identified as “Suave Instrumental”.

As his first work he releases his first compilation of hits (Luis Perico Ortiz EXITOS volume 1) with the voices of Roberto Lugo, Billy Carrión and Domingo Quiñones.

Produces for Toshiba-EMI Limited (Japan) a CD. Title: “Bésame Mucho”. Produces for Sony José Nogueras (Proyecto Navideño 1997).

1998, performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist for Lucesita Benítez. Produces the master Tommy Olivencia for the PolyGram label.

Performs with his great friend Domingo Quiñones in a series of concerts in Bellas Artes, produces an instrumental CD containing songs of the Bolero, Cha-Cha, Jazz-Pop and Salsa genre, the CD is titled “EMOCIONES”.

Concert and reunion of all its main singers at the Luis Muñoz Marín Amphitheater during the Bacardi World Salsa Fest ’98.

In the year 1999 during the month of January “Perico” visited his second homeland, Panama, where he had the opportunity to perform a concert with the pleasant company of Panamanian musicians and Roberto Lugo on vocals. Exquisite! During the month of March he performed with Arturo Sandoval in a regal concert, it was the first presentation of both of them in Panama.

It was the first presentation of both in Puerto Rico, because they had already performed together in the United States and Europe (NorthSea Jazz Festival * Holland).

In the month of May he performed in the Tributo Histórico a Héctor Lavoe as a guest artist.

“Perico” begins his move from secular music to Christian music serving the Lord, establishes himself as Musical Director of the Levittown Church of the Nazarene in January, establishes the foundation and direction of the Harmony School of Music, opened his recording studio (SUAVE Recording Studio) for the development of his record label “Suave Instrumental” and to attend the needs of other Christian record companies in relation to external productions.

2000, during the beginning of the year Perico further strengthened his commitment with Harmony School Of Music, he released four (4) of his catalog recordings in digital format, they are: Sabroso, Sabor Tropical, El Isleño, In Tradition, with the voices of Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo.

In addiction he released his first solo album, My Own Image originally under the Turnstyle Records label, to Martin Cohen company (Latin Percussion) in digital format.

Perico has just finished his most recent production with guests such as: Domingo Quiñones, Bobby Valentín, Papo Lucca, Cachete Maldonado, Endel Dueño, Elías Lopés, Rafi Torres and much more,the project titled Jamming and released under the AJ RECORDS label.

One of the most important moments in his life was the birth of his first granddaughter ISABEL ANNA, born March 31-2000.

2001, Perico currently serves as Producer and A&R Director for AJ Records (sister company of Casa De Los Tapes), he just finished the production of Tommy Olivencia 40th Anniversary/LIVE.

New projects to be finalized: Ray Barreto {50 Aniversario} & La Ganga. Perico receives for the production Jamming a nomination for the TU MÚSICA awards. He has just produced two (2) productions for the territory of Japan. The artist is Rie Akagi and the genre is JAZZ.

2002, wins the TU MÚSICA award for best Christmas production. Produces “RAY BARRETO LIVE-50 Aniversario”, “Lunna Bohemia”, Los 100 Años de Andy Montañez en Vivo from the Bellas Artes in Santurce, Rie Akagi (Japan) & a music score for a Japanese cartoon.

2003, produces the “Puerto Rican Masters” for TV special and DVD.

2004, produces the first Salsa Gospel Festival, serves as music producer of the show and music producer of the DVD, cultivates his duties as a teacher for the Conservatory of Music in the area of the first Bachelor of Jazz and Caribbean music.

He teaches a Latin Jazz Combo course and a Master Class for the development of musical language, self-esteem, form, analysis, composition and interpretation.

Produces the tribute show to Marvin Santiago before his death. Also produced the DVD, the artists produced were the Puerto Rican Masters, Domingo Quiñones, Oscar De León, Victoria Sanabria, Prodigio & Andy Montañez among others.

Musical production of Objetivo Fama Christmas show & Christmas CD-DVD of the group for UNIVERSAL MUSIC.

2005, produces, arranges and composes the soundtrack for Jacobo Morales’ most recent TV film, “Pa’ Eso Estamos”.

He also produces the CD-DVD of the film achieving an exquisite and aggressive Sound Track work.

For the second consecutive year he is designated as one of the musical producers of the long awaited Christmas work of Banco Popular. He is selected by the program HUELLAS MUSICALES to make a retrospective of his musical contribution.

2006, currently very active with the development of the Jazz and Caribbean Music Department of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Visits Columbia College in Chicago to give Master Classes and concerts with Jon Faddis, Eddie Gómez and the faculty of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.

Travels to France to participate in the Toros & Salsa Festival in Dax during the month of September 9-11. Produces flutist Rie Akagi for Japan.

2007, Perico is officially appointed as Artist in Residence by the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico for the department of Jazz and Caribbean Music, along with the same position are exercising the Masters Eddie Gomez and David Sanchez.

March 18 begins the world tour with his Salsa orchestra, his original singers Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo, his Latin Jazz Big Band and his Latin Jazz Combo, as an important part of his tour, in addition he will be giving Master Classes to Universities and Colleges to work closely with the future musicians of our genre… Latin Music.

2008 Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz is invited to be the Keynote Speaker during the Forty-Fifth Graduation exercises of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

A great honor for “Perico” since he is a former student and his dream was to see Latin music and Jazz studied at the Conservatory. If Pablo Casals could see it….

In addition, Maestro Perico is commissioned by the Autonomous Municipality of Carolina to be the Musical Advisor and Artistic Director of the new PLAZA GIGANTE DE LA MÚSICA to be inaugurated on June 28, 2008 and the International Jazz Festival of Carolina 2008 to be held on August 15 & 16, 2008.

2009, he is invited to be the Musical Advisor of the Carolina School of Fine Arts, in addition he works professionally as Artistic Director of Special Events for the Municipality, he visited for the first time the country of Peru where he performed at the acclaimed festival Chimpum Callao in front of an audience of 42,000 people.

2010, this year is emblematic for Luis as he celebrates his 50th anniversary in music. In January he was honored during the 40th Anniversary of San Sebastian Street with the San Sebastian Award for his achievements along with Roberto Roena.

He visited the Lehman College in New York where he performed in concert with Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo.

Produced and directed the 6th Carolina International Jazz Festival. Performed with Paquito D’ Rivera, Mario Grillo, Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

In November he visits New Mexico for the first time invited as Guest Artist of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, he was invited by Dr. Mariano Morales, in addition he performed with Mariano’s group for a Jazz concert and a Master Class at the University of New Mexico, a historic event.

2011, Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 3rd Bolero Festival in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Guest artists throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were Lourdes Robles, Nydia Caro, Elías Lopés, Braulio, Lilly y su Gran Trio & Trio Los Condes.

During the month of August, Luis becomes the Artistic & Musical Director of the 7th Carolina International Jazz Festival.

The festival is dedicated to the PIANO. The invited artists were Mariano Morales, Luis Marín, Ángel David Mattos, Yan Carlos Artime & Michel Camilo.

Luis performs the second day of the festival with his Big Band and a group of great artists as guests of his orchestra.

December 2 Luis performs as Artistic & Musical Director for the long awaited Carolina Christmas lighting. Artists of the stature of Tony Vega, NG2, Pedrito Guzman, Juan Velez and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico share with his orchestra a historic evening at Christmas in Carolina.

On December 23rd after almost a year of arduous musical creative work, Luis was the composer (11 songs), arranger (9 songs) and Artistic & Musical Director of the most important concert of his career, the Inaugural Concert of the Carolina Children’s Museum, He conducted a Symphony Orchestra (43 teachers) with a Chorale of 30 voices (youth and children) and a corps de ballet of a total of 56 dancers from the School of Fine Arts (Chorale and Dancers), he had the collaboration of teachers Cucco Peña (3 arrangements & 1 composition) & Frankie Suárez (1 arrangement).

2012, served as coordinator of the 4th Bolero Festival of Carolina, Puerto Rico, the artists invited throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Tato Díaz & Dream Team Trio, Las Divas Del Bolero: Mayra Mayra, Jaqueline Capó & Awilda, Paquito Guzmán, Carmín Vega, Orquesta de Elías Lopés, Ramoncito Rodríguez y Los Andinos, Pijuan y Los Baby Bommer Boys, Chucho Avellanet &Lissette.

In August he becomes the Musical Artistic Director of the 8th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the special participation of Arturo Sandoval.

In December, as usual, he returns to produce for Carolina the long awaited Christmas Lighting. The artists were; Ebac, Plenealo, Luis Perico Ortiz Orchestra, Ismael Miranda, Moncho Rivera, Claudio Prodigio, Henry Santiago, Henry Santiago, and many others.

Special artist Victor Manuelle

2013, after 6 years of recording absence, Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz makes one of the most ambitious and complex productions of his career, inviting a handful of friends he makes TIEMPO DE AMAR, collaborating with Luis, Ruben Blades, Andy Montañez, Alex De Castro, Jose Juan Hernandez, NG2, Victoria Sanabria, Ismael Miranda, Jose Nogueras, Danny Rivera, Prodigio Claudio, Giovanni Hidalgo, Rie Akagi and the Ernesto Ramos Antonini APPAOS Symphony Orchestra, also a battalion of the best musicians from Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Cuba, 8 recording studios (Puerto Rico, United States and Japan) represented by excellent engineers perform the recording of this epic work, composers: Luis Perico Ortiz, José Nogueras, Victoria Sanabria, Juan José Hernández, Yan Carlos Artime, Prodigio Claudio and Luciano Quiñones, arrangers: Luis Perico Ortiz, Iván Rodríguez and Luis García.

A dream come true, the sale of this epic was donated in its entirety for the benefit of children with cancer through the San Jorge Children’s Foundation. The production took nearly a year to complete.

Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 5th Carolina Bolero Festival in Puerto Rico.

The artists invited during the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Máximo Torres, Iris Chacón, Lalo Rodríguez, Pete Bonet, Rafael José, Meñique and the Orquesta de Elías Lopés.

In August produces the 9th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the participation of: bEscuela De Bellas Artes de Carolina, Alex Ayala Trio,

Edwin Clemente 3D ZONE, David “Piro” Rodríguez, Justo Almario,

Luis Perico Ortiz Latin Jazz Big Band and guests.

In November he travels to Venezuela for two Jazz (Big Band) concerts as special guest of the famous Venezuelan trumpet player Yturvides Vilchez.

He returns in December to produce the Christmas 2013 Christmas Lit with the participation of EBAC, Barreto y su Plena y su Orquesta with his guests: Papo Sánchez, Pedro Brull, Domingo Quiñones and Victoria Sanabria, in addition the closing was in charge of Joseph Fonseca.

2014-2020, “Perico” continues as advisor and Artistic Director of Special Events for the municipality of Carolina.

Discography of Luis “Perico” Ortiz

1. My Own Image, Sello Disquero Tunstyle
2. Super Salsa, Sello Disquero New Generation
3. One Of A Kind, Sello Disquero New Generation (GOLD)
4. El Astro, Sello Disquero New Generation
5. Sabroso, Sello Disquero Perico Records #320 (GOLD)
6. Sabor Tropical, Sello Disquero Perico Records #330
7. El Isleño Sello Disquero Perico Records #340
8. Entre Amigos, Sello Disquero Collector Series #527
9. La Vida En Broma, Sello Disquero Perico Records #350
10. In Tradition, Sello Disquero Perico Records #360
11. Breaking The Rules, Sello Disquero Perico Records #370
12. Vuelvo Otra Vez, Sello Disquero DPI Records #400
13. At Valley Cottage, Sello Disquero Polystar (Japan)
14. The man, his trumpet and his music are back, Sello Disquero DPI Records #410
15. La Combinación Perfecta, Sello Disquero RMM-SONY (Artista Invitado y Arreglista) (Platinum Sales Award)
16. Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar, Sello Disquero RMM Records & Video Lanzamiento Mayo 1996
17. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 1, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 197
18. Emociones, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 198
19. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 2, Sello Disquero Suave instrumental # 1982
20. Jamming, Sello Disquero AJ Records
21. Déjalo Entrar (artistas invitados, Alex De Castro, Domingo Quiñones y Roberto Lugo), Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental
22. Cristo Esta En Victoria, Sello Disquero Suave 2507
23. Tiempo De Amar (2013) Suave 6388

Luis Perico Ortiz is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Companies

Dialen Publisher

Dialen Promotions

LPO Events. P. S. C.

Address

San Juan Valley

Plaza Bohío SJ 19

Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. 00976

Contacts:
(787) 602-0048

www.facebook.com/perico59

luis_perico_ortiz_official

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.luispericoortiz.com/

Services
Artistic Presentations
Orchestras: Salsa and Latin Jazz (from Combo to Big Band)

Musical Arrangements

Online Classes

Compositions

Trumpet Recording and Recording Producer

Artistic Advisor for Special Events

How to cite this article:

Ruiza, M., Fernández, T. and Tamaro, E. (2004).

Biography of Luis Perico Ortiz.

In Biografías y Vidas.

The online biographical encyclopedia. Barcelona (Spain).

Retrieved from https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ortiz_luis_perico.htm

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Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela, Instrumentalist, excellent sound, tuning and world-class reader.

 Héctor Zarzuela, known in the entertainment world as ‘Bomberito’, passed away last Thursday, January 7 at the age of 84 in New Jersey, USA.

Born June 3 in the city of Moca, Dominican Republic, where he began his musical studies, played with several local groups and then moved to the capital city in which he played with

different orchestras. Then in the early 60’s, he decided to emigrate to New York City.

Shortly after arriving in New York, he entered the world of salsa and began working with local orchestras, and later with those that made up the famous Fania All-Star in which he remained for many years.

The former member of the band Estrellas de la Fania, was one of the most important personalities of salsa thanks to his great talent and participation with renowned groups and artists of the salsa world, among them the Fania All-Stars (1971-1976 / 1979-1988 / 1994), Cheo Feliciano (1973 / 1977 / 1993), Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos (1975-1978), Héctor Lavoe (1975 / 1981) and Ray Barretto (1979 / 1987-1990).

He worked with fellow trumpeter Luis “Perico” Ortiz for many years, being an extraordinary quality and tuning session and responsible for innumerable hits of different singers.

The name Hector Zarzuela earned a lot of respect for his beautiful songs as an instrumentalist, excellent sound, tuning and world-class reader.

His list of artists with whom he recorded is enormous, here are some of them: Pete Conde, Johnny Pacheco, Héctor Lavoe, El Canario, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera, Tony Vega, Celia Cruz, Grupo Niche, Victor Manuel, among others.

In 1980, he recorded a production entitled “Merengues con Caché” with an orchestra which he has created. Around this time, he was also in the group “Africando“.

He traveled from Latin America to Africa, Japan, and Australia with all these artists, collected legions of fans, and set a great example to follow.

He also dabbled with some merengue groups, especially The New York Band, La Gran Manzana, etc. His career in merengue groups is not extensive, after all he has lived in New York City for many years, making him a living example of Constancy and Determination.

Lovingly called Bomberito, we know nothing about the reasons for this nickname, but he is highly known this way.

Zarzuela was a well-mannered, quiet temperament, respecful person when relating with others, and very responsible person in carrying out his work.

Man with a noteworthy trajectory in growing quality and respect by becoming one of the great figures abroad of our musicians.

Héctor Zarzuela deserves a predominant role in the pages of our history.

He was one of the greatest trumpeters of all time, always being the first trumpet in the ensembles.

He belongs to the highest elite group of musicians of the same instrument. The maestros Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Elias Lopes, Kito Velez, Orlando Pabellon, Rafael Labasta, Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros, Puchi Bulong and other great figures that make up the trumpet legends of the trumpet in salsa.

Trumpet

The trumpet is a wind instrument, which belongs to the family of brass instruments and is made of metal alloy.

The sound is produced by the vibration of lips on the part called mouthpiece from the air column (air flow).

Commonly, it is usually tuned in 9′ B ♭, that is to say, one tone below the tuning written on the staff, although there are also trumpets tuned in F, C, A and E, – flat-.

The musician who plays the trumpet is known as trumpet player or trumpeter.

Mechanism

The trumpet is made of brass tube doubled in a spiral of about 180 cm long, has several valves or pistons, and ends with a bellmouth weir, which receives the name of bell or pavilion.

The first two thirds of the tube are practically cylindrical, which gives it a loud and bright sound, whereas the cornet and the flugelhorn, which have a conical tube and produce a softer tone.

The remaining third is a conical tube, except in the last 30 cm, where the tube is widened to form the bellmouth weir.

The caliber is a complex series of turns that besome smaller in the mouthpiece receiver and larger just before the start of the bell. Careful design of these turns is critical to the intonation of the trumpet.

 

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The orchestra formed by Puerto Rican women will back to work and will release its first album in the coming months.

 

Son Divas is here to stay. This was stated by Aníbal de Gracia, manager, producer, and creative director of the girl group. After a short recess caused by the pandemic, Son Divas has just released the single ‘Mujer de acero’, which will be part of the first album they are working on and is scheduled to be released between March and summer.

“During this time in which many projects had been delayed as a result of the pandemic, many people told me that Son Divas should record an album. After thinking and appraising how much the group had made progress since its beginnings, I thought that it was the right time for that first recording.

We have already recorded some songs and others are in the process and we hope to release it between March and summer, but observing what happens with the matter of the pandemic,” said de Gracia, manager and producer of Son Divas.

The musician/orchestra director also noted that more than 100 female musicians, among other guests, will participate in the record production.

“We decided that we were supposed to invite the largest possible number of women, not only of Puerto Rico, but of the entire world. We want to finish recording the album, be able to release it into the marketplace and, and look forward to the moment when we can play it live,” he said.

Son Divas is recording a song in conjunction with the Cuban orchestra Anacaona, the first women’s orchestra in the world. The Cuban group was founded by the Castro sisters in the 1930s. According to de Gracia, Dominican musician Wilfrido Vargas had contact with the Anacaona orchestra during the 70s, and in this way, developed the concept of Las Chicas del Can.

“Although the album will have a romantic theme, it will be varied. Songs to dance salsa, merengue, and even a Latin jazz track can be found here. It will have a combination of new songs with some covers. ‘Eclipse total del amor’, a salsa version of a song popularized by Lissette Alvarez;

‘Mala novia’, ‘Una loca como yo’ and ‘Mujer de acero’, a song we already released in promotion. These are some of the tracks of the album”.

De Gracia began training the girls from Son Divas in 2017 after participating in a music festival in St. Kitts where he shared the stage with the Anacaona orchestra the previous year. After being impressed by these Cuban girls he decided to start a similar project in Puerto Rico.

“After recruiting girls, getting a whole lot of rehearsal, and overcoming the drawbacks of Hurricane Maria, we recorded the first single ‘Mala novia’, a song by Mel Martinez and arrangement by Ramon Sanchez. We managed to be played on the radio and it opened a lot of doors.

We made several performances in Puerto Rico and went to St. Kitts. We recorded a second single titled ‘Una loca como yo’ in collaboration with Gilberto Santa Rosa and Victor Manuelle on backing vocals.

After that, we had to deal with the pandemic and musical activity had been stopped. Now, we are back to work again. We are working on the album that is sure people will like very much because it is being done with passion, love, and very good musical quality”, de Gracia said.

Son Divas is led by Nicole Yomara Santiago (musical director and trumpeter); it features singers Nico Camilo, Luz Mary Parra and Lilly Aponte. Zuleyka Martínez (saxophone), Nicole Vargas (trumpet), Ileana González (trumpet), Irem Díaz (bass), veteran virtuous Amuni Nacer (piano), Dali Marie (conga and bongo) and Daizalee M. Félix (timbal). The latter two appeared on the album.

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