Ismael Miranda
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Ismael Miranda a.k.a. The Pretty Boy of Salsa (born February 20, 1950) is a composer and a singer of salsa music.
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[edit] Early years
Miranda was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico. As a child he always wanted to be a musician. Miranda grew up in New York City on East 13th Street in Manhattan's East Village. His musical inclination led him to form two different juvenile groups, "The 4J's and Little Junior" and "The Class Mates" by the time he was eleven years old. He sang and played the conga for the group and they were good enough to appear on Jerry Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Miranda also grew up and played in his first bands with Jazz percussionist Orlando "Q" Rodriguez and piano player Mark Diamond.
[edit] First recording
In 1967, when Miranda was 17 years old, he made his recording debut with the song "Let's Ball" with Joey Pastrana and had his first "hit" with "Rumbon Melon". He created such a good impression on bandleader Larry Harlow, that he was hired as Larry's lead singer. That same year Miranda and Harlow co-authored "El Exigente" (The Demanding), set to the rhythm of the Latin Boogaloo craze of the time.
With Harlow, Miranda recorded the following:
- "Orquestra Harlow presenta a Ismael Miranda" (The Harlow Orchestra presents Ismael Miranda),
- "Electric"
- "Tributo a Arsenio Rodriguez",
- "Harlow's Harem",
- "Abran Paso" (Make Way),
- "Oportunidad" (Opportunity)
- "Con Mi Viejo Amigo" (With My Old Friend)
He also composed:
- "La Revolucion" (The Revolution),
- "Guasasa",
- "Arsenio",
- "El Malecon" and
- "Lamento Cubano" (Cuban Cry).
[edit] The Fania All Stars
In 1969, Miranda joined the Fania All Stars and went with on tour to Europe, Asia and Latin-America. In 1973 he formed his own band called "Revelacion" and recorded "Así se compone un son" under the Fania Record Label. With this song, Miranda entered the new salsa craze which was sweeping the nation. He was then baptized as "El Niño Bonito de la Salsa" (The Pretty Boy of Salsa). During the 1970s, he continued to have more "hits" with songs like "Lupe, Lupe", "Señor Sereno" and many others.
By 1988, Miranda had planned to retire instead however, he went on to establish his own record label "IM Records" and recorded several boleros with Andy Montañez.
[edit] Later years
The 2002 recording of one of his concerts received the recognition and acclaim of the National Fundation of Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. He also recorded a CD which contained the songs composed by the renowned Mexican composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez in the salsa version and was well received.
On September 27, 2003, Ismael Miranda performed at the famed Copacabana Nightclub in New York City. He currently continues to perform and is now on a national tour.
