Born on May 6, 1930 in the Puerto Rican town of Coamo, Fernando Luis Rosario Marín (aka Willie Rosario) was attracted to the sound of percussion from a very early age.
When he was only seven years old, Willie would spend hours after school playing beats on a tin of crackers in the balcony of his house. At the age of 12, his mother sent him to study guitar in the first and only music school in town, under the guidance of a professor named Juan Suárez. That same year, Willie and his family moved to New York in search of a better future.
In the United States, Willie worked on a number of non-music related jobs, and eventually joined the army, which he left at age 22. Since he was in New York, he was able to frequent the infamous Palladium night club, where he met legendary timbalero Tito Puente. He would become his mentor and musical hero.
In 1952, Willie decided to visit his family in Puerto Rico. A year later, after performing with Orquesta Fiesta, temporarily replacing Mon Rivera, he returned to New York. Having played with notable performers such as Johnny Segui and Joe Quijano, he finally decided to form his own band in 1958.
One night, Willie was fortunate enough to visit Puerto Rican crooner Tito Rodríguez at home. The singer gave him advice on the difficult task of leading a tropical music combo. Both Rodríguez and Tito Puente would end up helping Rosario by giving him access to music from their own charts.
Willie gained popularity within the Latin circuit in the U.S., but eventually decided to establish himself in Puerto Rico, becoming one of the island's most productive salseros during the '70s and '80s. He was motivated to move by a combination of personal and financial reasons.
In 1987, Willie and his orchestra were nominated for a Grammy award for the album Nueva Cosecha, which boasted vocal contributions by two future stars of the genre: Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega.
Rosario's tenacity and desire to excel have brought him worldwide acclaim. For over four decades, he has remained a vital part of the salsa landscape in Puerto Rico. At 77, he shows the same enthusiasm for tropical music that pushed him to the forefront when his career was just getting started.
Rosario's discography includes a wide variety of recommended albums, but "Otra Vez" is widely considered as one of his very best sessions. Released in 1975 during the apex of the salsa explosion, it includes fiery numbers such as the son montuno "Antonia," written by singer Chivirico Dávila. Another highlight is the son "Oriente," by the great Miguelito Valdés. Bolero lovers will appreciate the romantic vibe of tracks such as “Quédate Conmigo,” “Si Mi Corazón Pudiera,” – “Medley Recordando A Tito” and “Domingo De Verano.”
Paying a heartfelt tribute to the folk roots of his land, the record includes a bomba titled “Cuándo Llegará.” One of this album's most remarkable elements is the combination of a full brass section with baritone sax. Rough and layered, this unique touch became a trademark of Rosario's sound - inspiring both serious salsa collectors, as well as those dedicated bailadores who prefer to enjoy the music on the dance floor.
Written by Miguel Estivill
Personnel:
Willie Rosario – Leader, Timbales
Héctor Zarzuela – Trumpet
Cheo Riollanos – Trumpet
Fred Graud – Trumpet
Larry Spencer – Trumpet
Shep Pullman – Baritone Sax
Paquito Pastor – Piano
Víctor Venegas – Bass
Papo Pepi Jr. – Conga
Vinnie Bell – Guitar
Ismael Quintana – Clave & Güiro
Coro - Adalberto Santiago, Yayo El Indio
Louie Ramírez – Musical Director
Arranged By – Louie Ramírez & Bobby Valentín
Produced By – Willie Rosario for Wilro Productions P.R.
Engineers – Bernie Fox & Dominic Costanza
Original Cover and Liner Photo By – Lee Marshall
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