Orlando Marin

Orlando Marin is an American band leader and timbales player born in the Bronx, New York in 1935. He formed his first band, and his Orchestra, in 1951-52 with himself as director and Eddie Palmieri as musical director and later on the piano. He is of Puerto Rican descent.

After his first group broke up, Orlando got a contract at Sunnyside Garden for almost three years to play every Saturday. This was his first steady gig. Along with his music, he studied as a commercial artist, or comic book illustrator. He played with several different bands in the famous Palladium Ballroom.

Orlando went into the army in 1958 for service in Korea. While on duty, he won first prize in the All Army Talent Competition in the Pacific Command. He then toured Korea and Japan and went to Washington DC for the final competition. This was followed by a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. When stationed in California, Orlando sat in for on timbales at the Hollywood Palladium.

Orlando left the army in 1960 and formed a new band with many of his previous members. He returned to New York. He again appeared at the Palladium Ballroom and other New York dance venues, including the Limbo Lounge, the Bayside Manor, the Hotel Taft, and the Bronx’s Hunts Point Palace, among others.

Orlando was a contemporary of such greats as Tito Puente, , and Tito Rodriguez. He is the only orchestra leader from New York’s golden era of mambo who still performs regularly. Awards

In 1976, Orlando was invited to represent Hispanic America at the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration on Ellis Island. In 1993 in Colombia, Orlando was honored with a lifetime musical achievement award in Calis Plaza de Toros.

In 1997, Latin music historiographer Max Salazar presented Orlando a plaque at New York’s at La Maganette in recognition of nearly five decades of uninterrupted contribution to Latin music.

In 1999, New York’s governor George E. Pataki presented Orlando with the Bobby Capó Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of nearly a half century of dedication to Latin music.

In January 2003, Orlando was invited by Latin Jazz station, WPFW, by the Arlington County (Virginia) Cultural Arts Division, and by the Latin American Folk Institute to do a live concert in Washington at The Spectrum Theater.

In 2006, Congressman Jose E. Serrano honored Orlando as “The Last Mambo King,” for his continuing to provide Latin American music and his willingness to devote time to helping the less fortunate.

Recording career

In 1954 he recorded his first 78 with his first composition, My Mambo.

His first two albums Arriba Cha-Cha-Cha, and Lets Go Latin were recorded with Fiesta records. He recorded Mi Mambo on the Plus label.

He recorded Se Te Quemó La Casa, and Que Chévere for Alegre Records. Orlando then returned to Fiesta Records, for whom he recorded Está en Algo (English: He’s Up To Something) which included the smash hit Aprende a Querer. Later, he recorded the first bugaloo album ever recorded, Out of My Mind, for the Brunswick label. Then, he released his albumn Saxophobia.

In 1961, Orlando released his hit charanga record Se Te Quemó la Casa. Discography

Que Chévere (English: That’s Great) Label:Alegre Records, Released:1960 Se Te Quemó La Casa (English: You burn the house) Label:Alegre Records, Released:1961 Out of My Mind Label:Brunswick, Released:1960 Saxophobia Label:Manana Records, Released:1970 Latin Cool Classics: Orlando Marin Label:Latin Cool Records, LLC, Released:2006 Orlando Marin And His Orchestra, Vol. 2 Label:Fania, Released:2000 Arriba Cha-Cha-Cha (A compilation with Monchito and Marquez)Label:Fiesta Records, Released: Lets Go Latin (A compilation with Ramon Marquez and Chico Sesma)Label:Fiesta Records, Released: Está en Algo (English: He’s Up To Something) Label:Fiesta Records, Released:

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Credits

Year Album Artist The House That Al Built: The Alegre Primary 2008 Records Story Artist 1957-1977 Ed 2007 Dog House Bass DeGenaro’ Original Salsa Primary 2005 Kings, Vol. 2 Artist Year Album Artist Out of Many Comes Chico 2004 Bass the One Freeman Primary 2002 Big Bad Boogaloo Artist Salsa Selecta: A Performer, Taste of 2001 Primary Nuyorican Latin Artist Flavours Las Estrellas de Primary 1999 La Fania, Vol. 8 Artist 1999 Soul Catcher Olu Bass Primary Saxophobia/Two Orlando 1994 Artist, Piano Descarga Marin Timbales Composer, 1993 Saxofobia Plus Timbales Main Alegre 1993 Te Invita Personnel, All-Stars Timbales Tesoros de la Performer, Musica Todos 1993 Primary Afrolatina, Vol. Estrellas Artist 6 The Cesta All- Cesta All Percussion, 1990 Stars, Vol. 1 Stars Timbales The Cesta All- Cesta All 1990 Stars, Vol. 2: Timbales Stars Salsa Festival Alegre All-Stars, Alegre 1966 Timbales Vol. 4: Way Out All-Stars Year Album Artist Composer, Que Chevere, Vol. Orlando 1964 Primary II Marin Artist Composer, Leader, Se Te Quemo La Orlando 1961 Primary Casa Marin Artist, Timbales La Bella Epoca: Primary Salsa In San Juan Artist Composer, Orlando Primary Out of My Mind Marin Artist, Timbales Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Marin