Billy Carrion
9th Annual Latin Song Vox Pop Winner
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Genre: Latin
Ombligo Music
www.billycarrion.com
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HOMEBASE/COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
My Home base is West New York, NJ. Country of origin Puerto Rico
GENRES THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC:
Salsa , Afro Caribbean. From the Folkloric & Traditional to the Progressive side of Latin Music with some shades of Jazz.
ARTISTS ON THIS RECORDING:
Billy Carrion – Band leader, lead vocalist, Maracas, backup vocals.
Billy Carrion Jr.- Musical director. Baritone Sax, Tenos Sax & bari solo on “esta Fiesta”, Tenor sax solo on “Eres”
Orchestra on recording: Ite Jerez- lead trumpet; Phil Rinaldi- lead trumpet “Esta Fiesta”; Angel Fernandez- 2nd trumpet; Pete Nater 2nd trumpet and trumpet solo in “Esta Fiesta”; Lewis Kahn- trombone; Papo Vazquez- trombone & trombone solo in “Esta Fiesta”; Raul Briseño- alto sax; Luis Disla- Alto Sax; Dave Schumacher- Baritone sax; Oscar Hernandez- Piano; Arturo Ortiz- Piano & Bass on “Esta Fiesta”; Rubén Rodriguez- Bass; Mela Tenenboun- Violins on “Borinquen De Mis Amores; Chino Núñez, Conga & Timbal; Jorge Gonzalez- Bongo; Anthony Carrillo- Conga & Quinto on “Sola; Jessica Rodriguez- timbal in “Esta Fiesta”; Tomas Lopez- Bata drums, Güiro, back up vocal son “Esta Fiesta”.
WHERE WAS YOUR RELEASE RECORDED?
Smash Studios, NY; Estate Recording Studios, NJ; Piranha Group studios.
DESCRIBE THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR RELEASE: After many years as a vocalist for masters of Latin music and seeing the unfolding of the Salsa genre, I decided to create my own sound and use all the experience gained from performing with such Latin legends as: Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Luis Perico Ortiz, Los Rodriguez and many more.
IS IT BIOGRAPHICAL? No
WHY DID YOU SELECT THIS RELEASE TO SUBMIT TO THE IMAS? Is a very festive and happy song inviting you to dance. Progressive horn arrangement based in a traditional rhythm.
WHAT/ IF ANY UNUSUAL INSTRUMENTS, SONG STRUCTURE/WRITING TECHNIQUES, RECORDING METHODS DID YOU USE? Yoruba Bata drums on “Esta Fiesta”; Puerto Rico’s Plenera’s hand drums and guicharo on “Consuelo Mio”.
DID FANS HELP FUND THIS PROJECT? NO
DESCRIBE YOUR AUDIENCE: My audience is very mixed from a young (24 – 35) to an older generation (40-70), Hispanics from South America and the Caribbean, Europeans and Salsa Dancers in Clubs and festivals. Since we perform some Latin jazz and arrangements show Jazz influences we also play Jazz Festivals.
WHAT MAKES YOUR FANS UNIQUE? They are very knowledgeable in the Latin music genre, some are Latin music historians known in Latin America as “Melomanos” who follow bands and Latin artist. There is a big group of pro & semi-pro Salsa Dancers that like the full big band sound that comes out of my much smaller orchestra.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO PLAY? I love playing in Europe since they are more eclectic and sometimes you share the same stage with Jazz performers and or Rock performers. Colombia, Peru, Venezuela & Puerto Rico for the passion they show for Salsa Music.
NAME SOME OF YOUR FAVE SONGS & WHY THEY RESONATE: Esta Fiesta because of the festive spirit and the blending of the Yoruba Bata drums with the conga drums. “Sola” because it talks about women that live by themselves evading abuse and domestic violence. “Consuelo Mio” is Puerto Rico folkloric Plena that I heard being performed by a relative of my father as a child.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? I believe it was completing and releasing mi first solo work “Esta Fiesta”
WHAT’S IN THE WORKS FOR THE REST OF 2010? 2011? I am currently working on my next Salsa CD and a Latin Jazz CD.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… EVOLVING !
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS? Being able to continue creating music that people who support you enjoys as they follow your career and identify in one way or another with the work you do.
WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR FANS? King’s X, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Snarl Barkley, Beatles, Tito Puente, Machito, Irakere, Van Van, music from Nigeria, JAZZ…
HOW CAN FANS FOLLOW YOU? WHERE IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE? Fans can visit my page at www.Billycarrion.com; My Space, Facebook and see up dates of where I will be performing. My music is available at www.CDBaby.com/billycarrion , J&R Music World, ITUNES, Descarga.com. Distributed by GB Records
Billy Carrión has bore witness to the entire unfolding of salsa while singing with many of its most legendary practitioners. His beginnings in Salsa were in Mayagüez Puerto Rico with Orquesta La Solucion next to Frankie Ruiz followed by his work with Salsa musical legends such as: Ray Barreto, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Luís Perico Ortiz, La India, Kako & Orquesta, Joe Quijano, Manny Oquendo y Libre, Orquesta Los Rodríguez & others.
ARTIST BIO:
In 2003 Billy was invited to perform with “FANIA ALL-STARS” at their concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden as a “Corista and Maraquero”.
Billy is best known for his role as lead vocalist in Luis Perico Ortiz’ Romantic Salsa recordings. NOW ! A completely different animal with his own orchestra!
Billy Carrión and his orchestra represent all the best of our Latin music. Its concept, the technique, the communication, the spirit, the complex compositions, melodic vocals, sophisticated arrangements and a masterful execution that rewards close attention.
Billy’s versatile vocal style has gained him a place among the most acclaimed and respected figures in Latin Music.