Louie Ramirez

Louie Ramirez (February 24, 1938 – June 7, 1993) was a boogaloo, salsa and latin jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, band leader and composer. He co-wrote with the 1961 hit “El Güiro De Macorina”. He has been called “the Quincy Jones of Salsa.”

Ramirez was born on February 24, 1938 in . He made his professional debut with Joe Loco’s band in 1956, replacing vibraphonist Pete Terrace. Ramirez made his own debut as a bandleader in 1963, with Introducing Louie Ramirez (Rmo Records). He subsequently recorded for Alegre, Fania, Atco, United Artists Records, Caiman, FNA and RMM Records & Video.

He partnered with and from 1965 to 1968. With Tito Rodriguez he released the LP Tito Rodríguez y Louie Ramírez En Algo Nuevo in 1972. He became a staff producer at Fania in 1975. He appeared as a sideman or a production assistant on many recordings by other artists, such as Willie Colón, in the 1970s.

On June 7, 1993, while driving along Junction Boulevard in Queens, New York, Ramirez suffered a fatal heart attack, at the age of 55. He was recording his third album with singer Ray De La Paz. It was entitled Preparate Bailador.

Videos:

Credits Year Album Artist Chef [Original Motion 2014 Primary Artist Picture Soundtrack] Johnny 2012 Anthology Composer Pacheco Fania All- 2012 Anthology Composer Stars 2012 Anthology Rubén Blades Composer 2012 El Barrio: Latin Disco Primary Artist Fania All- 2012 Greatest Hits Composer Stars Leyendas De La Fania, 2012 Composer Vol. 4 2012 Long Live Boogaloo Primary Artist El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin 2011 Primary Artist Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul 2011 1964-1980: The Original Composer Sound of Latin New York 2010 El Alcalde del Barrio Joe Cuba Composer 2010 Greatest Hits [2010] Rubén Blades Composer 2010 Latin Lounge: San Juan Composer Lo Que Pasó… La 2010 Historia Del Príncipe Luis Enrique Composer De La Salsa 2010 Mis Favoritas Luis Enrique Composer 2010 Poeta del Pueblo Rubén Blades Composer Ponte Duro: The Fania Fania All- 2010 Vibraphone All Stars Story Stars Year Album Artist Salsa Explosion!: The 2010 New York Salsa Primary Artist Revolution 1969-1979 The 107th 107th Street Stickball Street 2009 Team: Saboreando Pot Composer Stickball Full of Soul Team El Barrio: Latin Disco 2009 – Dancefloor Grooves Primary Artist with a Latin Touch The Complete Latin Jazz 2009 Eric Dolphy Timbales Sides The Complete Studio 2009 Héctor Lavoe Arranger Albums, Vol. 2 2008 Afro Cuban Kaleidoscope Snowboy Primary Artist Beginner’s Guide to 2008 Primary Artist Latin Jazz Composer, Primary 2008 Boogaloo, Vol. 1 Artist Campeones: A Band and Fania All- 2008 Composer Their Music Stars Cha Cha Cha, Vol. 1 2008 Primary Artist [Fania] El Barrio: Sounds from 2008 the Spanish Harlem Primary Artist Streets 2008 Fania DJ Series DJ Format Primary Artist 2008 Greatest Hits [2008] Rubén Blades Composer Hot and Spicy Salsa 2008 Hits [Madacy Latino Primary Artist 2008] Year Album Artist 2008 Latin Jazz [Verve] Primary Artist 2008 N.Y.C. Salsa, Vol. 3 Primary Artist 2008 On Two, Vol. 1 Primary Artist 2008 One Way Ticket The Nerves Drums RMM 20th Anniversary 2008 Primary Artist Collection, Vol. 8 The Complete Studio 2008 Héctor Lavoe Arranger Albums, Vol. 1 The House That Al 2008 Built: The Alegre Primary Artist Records Story 1957-1977 DJ Snowboy’s Afro Cuban 2007 Primary Artist Kaleidoscope 2007 Fania DJ Series Primary Artist Fania DJ Series: Gilles Gilles 2007 Primary Artist Peterson Peterson Fania Live 01: The Meat 2007 DJ Rumor Primary Artist Market Ismael 2007 La Herencia Composer Quintana Latin Legends: Funk & 2007 Primary Artist Boogie Selections Leyendas de la Fania, 2007 Primary Artist Vol. 3 NYC Salsa: The 2007 Incendiary Sound of Primary Artist Latin New York 2007 New York City Salsa Primary Artist New York Latin Hustle, 2007 Primary Artist Vol. 1 2007 New York Latin Shuffle Primary Artist Year Album Artist 2007 Rumbón Navideño Composer Louie 2006 Ali Baba/Yambu Primary Artist Ramirez Dance Hits Salsa, Vol. 2006 Primary Artist 3 El Barrio: Gangsters, 2006 Latin Soul & the Birth Primary Artist of Salsa El Maestro: A Man and Johnny 2006 Composer His Music Pacheco Fania: Leyendas Latinas 2006 Primary Artist Fiesta In the Heart of Spanish Louie 2006 Primary Artist Harlem Ramirez Nightlife/Essence of Benitez & Producer, 2006 Life Nebula Synthesizer We Love Salsa: Capture 2006 the Ultimate Sound of Primary Artist Summer Children of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from 2005 Drums the Second Psychedelic Era – 1976-1995 Louie 2005 Louie’s Grooves Primary Artist Ramirez Old School Salsa 2005 Classics, Vol. 5: 8th Primary Artist Street Edition 2004 Instant Party Composer 2004 Lo Esencial [2004] Luis Enrique Composer Year Album Artist Paquete Salsera Orquesta 2004 Composer Greatest Hits [Box Set] Tabaco y Ron 2004 The Best Tipica 73 Tipica ’73 Producer Beginner’s Guide to 2003 Primary Artist Salsa 2003 Duo Salsero Primary Artist Orquesta 2003 Que Se Sepa Composer Tabaco y Ron Brown Sugar: Latin 2002 Breakbeats, Basslines & Primary Artist Boogaloo 2002 Latin Disco [Nascente] Primary Artist Arranger, Que Pasa?: The Best of Fania All- 2002 Composer, Horn, Fania All-Stars Stars Vibraphone Salsa Caliente de Nu 2002 Rubén Blades Composer York Charanga 2002 Super Exitos Composer Power Yo! Hot Latin Funk from 2002 Primary Artist el Barrio La Salsa 2001 Clasicas de la Salsa Composer Clasica 2001 Disco Spectrum 2 Primary Artist Discoteca: Firin’ 2001 Latino House, Funk, Composer Electro Fania All- 2001 Power House Primary Artist Stars 2001 Songs for Latin Lovers Primary Artist Year Album Artist The NuYorican Funk Composer, Primary 2001 Experience: Salsa Artist Caliente de Nu York! The Salsa Dance Class: 2001 Primary Artist The Real Deal Discover the Rhythms of 2000 Primary Artist Salsa Dura Fania All- Composer, 2000 Golden Drops Stars Producer 2000 Guerrero de Corazón Willie Colón Composer Latin Beats: A Tribute 2000 Primary Artist to Tito Puente Latin Hot!: Hot Latin 2000 Composer Jazz from the Big Apple 1999 Latin Spectrum, Vol. 1 Primary Artist Latin Spectrum: Real 1999 Primary Artist Latin for Real People 1999 Play Just for Fun Charles Fox Featured Artist Orquesta 1999 Salsa de Calle Salsa All Composer Stars Salsa in English, Vol. 1999 Primary Artist 3 1999 Untouchable Tito Allen Audio Production 100 Years of Latin Love Paquito 1998 Composer Songs d’Rivera 1998 Bravos de Fania, Vol. 5 Composer Sabroso: The Afro-Latin Timbales, 1998 Groove Vibraphone 1998 Salsa Hits [RMM] Primary Artist 1998 Sus Más Grandes Exitos Rubén Blades Composer Year Album Artist Johnny 1998 Un Estilo Propio Arranger Rivera Fania All-Stars with Fania All- 1997 Composer Stars Fania All-Stars with Fania All- 1997 Composer Ismael Miranda Stars Fania All-Stars with Fania All- 1997 Willie Colon & Ruben Composer Stars Blades Arranger, Drums, Louie 1997 Greatest Hits Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist 1997 Greatest Hits Tito Puente Arranger Lo Mejor de Noche 1997 Producer Caliente, Vol. 1 Fania All- 1997 Navidad Fania Composer Stars Nu Yorica 2!: Further Primary Artist, Adventures in Latin Producer, 1997 Music Chango in the New Timbales, Vibe World Master Drums, Poptopia! Power Pop 1997 Percussion, Classics of the ’80s Vocals 1997 Rough Guide to Salsa Primary Artist 20 Anniversary of the Performer, 1996 NY Salsa Festival: Primary Artist 1975-1995 1996 Footprints Bobby Matos Composer Hot Street Salsa 1996 Arranger Remixes, Vol. 1 Year Album Artist 1996 La Clave Latina Primary Artist 1996 Salsa en Navidad Composer 1996 The Best Rubén Blades Composer A Tribute to Legends of 1995 Fred Ramirez Primary Artist Latin Jazz Adalberto 1995 Featuring Popeye El Audio Production Santiago Marino Amor, Vida y Ismael 1995 Director Sentimiento Quintana Roberto 1995 Castigador Arranger Torres 1995 El Campesino Andy Harlow Arranger Ismael 1995 Ismael Quintana Arranger Quintana Composer, Primary 1995 New York Latin Salsa Artist Arranger, Drums, Louie Leader, 1994 Ali Baba Ramirez Percussion, Primary Artist Louie Composer, Primary 1994 Como Nunca Ramirez Artist, Producer El Dulce Aroma Del 1994 Larry Harlow Arranger Exito Fania 1964-1994: 30 Fania All- Performer, 1994 Great Years, Vol. 1 Stars Primary Artist Charlie 1994 Gigante Hits Composer Palmieri Year Album Artist Arranger, Composer, Piano, Louie Ramirez y Sus Louie Primary Artist, 1994 Amigos Ramirez Producer, Synthesizer, Vibraphone New York Latin Sounds Composer, Primary 1994 of ’60s Artist 1994 No Se Tu Sarabanda Vibraphone Poetry: The Greatest 1994 Rubén Blades Composer Hits Arranger, Orquesta 1994 Salsomania Composer, Novel Producer Composer, Primary 1994 Solo Para Bailar Artist Arranger, Main Chivirico 1993 Chivirico Personnel, Davila Timbales 1993 Master Timbalero Tito Puente Arranger Arranger, Director, Marimba, Performer, Piano, Louie 1993 Otra Noche Caliente Primary Artist, Ramirez Producer, Synthesizer, Timbales, Vibraphone Director, Ray de la 1993 Preparate Bailador Producer, Paz Timbales Year Album Artist 1993 Royal ‘T’ Tito Puente Composer 1993 Saxofobia Plus Arranger Alegre All- Main Personnel, 1993 Te Invita Stars Vibraphone Tesoros de la Musica Todos Performer, 1993 Afrolatina, Vol. 5 Estrellas Primary Artist The Best of Justo Justo Glockenspiel, 1993 Betancourt Betancourt Mixing, Producer A Dos Tiempos de un Gilberto 1992 Producer Tiempo Santa Rosa Los Hits Gordos De 1992 Composer Fania 1992 Los Tres Sabores Johnny Ray Arranger Put Your Heart On: Performer, 1992 Salsa in English, Vol. Primary Artist, 2 Vocals The Best of Latin Jazz: Performer, 1992 Compact Jazz Primary Artist Audio Production, Celeste, Chimes, 1992 Tributo a Celia Cruz Main Personnel, Producer 1991 Shopping for Melodies Melody Four Composer 1991 The Classic Tito Nieves Arranger 1990 Latino Club! Primary Artist The Cesta All-Stars, Cesta All Percussion, 1990 Vol. 1 Stars Vibraphone The Cesta All-Stars, Cesta All Percussion, 1990 Vol. 2: Salsa Festival Stars Vibraphone Year Album Artist Drums, Louie 1989 El Genio Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist The 1988 One Night in America Drums Plimsouls Johnny 1987 Salsobita Arranger Pacheco 1987 Héctor Lavoe Choir/Chorus Drums, Louie 1987 Super Banda Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Drums, Louie 1986 Sabor Con Clase Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Drums, Louie 1986 Tribute to Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Drums, Louie 1985 Alegre y Romanticos Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Audio Production, Homenaje a Beny More, Producer, 1985 Celia Cruz Vol. 3 Recording Director Johnny 1985 Jicamo Arranger Pacheco 1985 Héctor Lavoe Arranger Drums, Louie 1984 Con Cache Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Year Album Artist Castanets, Composer, Drums, The Maracas, 1983 Everywhere at Once Plimsouls Tambourine, Vocals (Background) 1982 Noche Caliente, Vol. 1 Producer Ismael 1981 La Clave del Sabor Arranger Miranda Fania All- 1981 Latin Connection Arranger Stars The 1981 Million Miles Away Drums Plimsouls The 1981 The Plimsouls Drums Plimsouls 1981 ¡Que Sentimiento! Héctor Lavoe Musical Director Fania All- 1980 Commitment Composer Stars Director, 1980 En Algo Nuevo La Lupe Producer, Synthesizer Drums, Louie 1980 Salsero Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist The 1980 Zero Hour Drums Plimsouls 1979 Bohemio y Poeta Rubén Blades Composer Fania All- 1979 Cross Over Primary Artist Stars Joe Cuba 1979 El Pirata del Caribe Producer Sextet Year Album Artist La Sonora Audio Production, 1979 Energized Ponceña Producer Cheo 1979 Estampas Arranger Feliciano 1979 Feliz Navidad Héctor Lavoe Arranger Johnny 1979 Los Distinguidos Arranger Pacheco Main Personnel, 1978 A Todo Mis Amigos Celia Cruz Percussion 1978 La Pareja: The Couple Tito Puente Producer Fania All- 1978 Live in Africa Producer Stars Fania All- 1978 Spanish Fever Composer Stars 1977 El Jardinero del Amor Larry Harlow Arranger Tommy 1977 El Negro Chombo Vibraphone Olivencia 1977 Metiendo Mano! Rubén Blades Arranger One of a Kind (Unica en Arranger, 1977 La Lupe Su Clase) Producer Only They Could Have 1977 Celia Cruz Arranger Made This Album Fania All- Composer, 1977 Rhythm Machine Stars Vibraphone Ismael 1976 Con Mi Viejo Amigo Arranger Miranda La Sonora 1976 Conquista Musical Producer Ponceña (It’s Up Arranger, 1976 Héctor Lavoe to You) Arreglos Year Album Artist La Sonora 1976 El Gigante del Sur Producer Ponceña Pete “El Este Negro Si Es Audio Production, 1976 Conde” Sabroso Producer Rodríguez Arranger, 1976 I Can See Ralfi Pagan Vibraphone Member of 1976 Pura Salsa Azuquita Attributed Artist, Timbales Tribute to Tito Fania All- Arranger, 1976 Rodriguez Stars Producer Mongo 1976 Ubane Arranger Santamaria 1976 Union Dinamica Kako Producer Cesar 1975 Cesar 830 Composer Ascarrunz Ismael 1975 Este Es Ismael Miranda Arranger Miranda 1975 La Voz Héctor Lavoe Arranger Willie Arranger, Musical 1975 Otra Vez Rosario Director Ismael 1974 En Fa Menor Arranger Miranda 1974 Kako Kako Producer Composer, Drums, Louie Percussion, 1974 Tipico Ramirez Primary Artist, Producer Ismael 1973 Asi Se Compone un Son Arranger Miranda Year Album Artist 1973 Indestructible Ray Barretto Arranger Our Latin Thing Fania All- 1972 Musician (Nuestra Cosa) Stars Leader, Timbales, 1972 The Beautiful People Pete & Louie Tma 1972 With Love Ralfi Pagan Arranger Jimmy 1970 El Hijo de Teresa Arranger Sabater Joe Cuba 1970 The Best of Joe Cuba Composer Sextet Drums, Louie 1969 Pongon Oido Percussion, Ramirez Primary Artist Charlie 1968 Latin Bugalu Timbales Palmieri Kako & His 1968 Live It Up Composer Orchestra Live at the Red Garter, Fania All- Unknown 1968 Vol. 1 Stars Contributor Role Live at the Red Garter, Fania All- 1968 Group Member Vol. 2 Stars Hay Que Estar en Algo Charlie 1967 (Either You Have It or Composer Palmieri You Don’t!) Joe Cuba 1967 My Man Speedy! Composer Sextet 1966 El Ray Criollo Ray Barretto Composer Louie Primary Artist, 1966 Vibes Galore Ramirez Vibraphone Louie 1965 Good News Primary Artist Ramirez Year Album Artist Composer, Member of Attributed Louie 1965 Latin Au Go Go Artist, Primary Ramirez Artist, Vibraphone Composer, Main Sabu 1961 Sabu’s Jazz Espagnole Personnel, Martinez Percussion Anthology Joe Cuba Composer Composer, Primary Chef Artist Illicit Latin Primary Artist La Salsa Romántica Primary Artist New York Latin Hustle, Primary Artist Vols. 1-2 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louie_Ramirez