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Paticipa del Foro Salsero con tus opiniones, anecdotas y comentarios
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| Bio: |
 Fernando Luis Rentas Lugo was born on April 4th, 1969 in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. From an early age he began to show a great deal of interest in music. Influenced by Puerto Rican traditional rhythms and popular singers, including his uncle Esteban "Tato Rico" Ramirez (R.LP.) from the city of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico who was a vocalist with a well-known band named "La Solucion" made popular by singers such as the late Frankie Ruiz.
Other musical influences included the sounds of bands such as "El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico", Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Tommy Olivencia, Willie Rosario, Orquesta Costa Brava, Bobby Valentin, his hometown band, "La Sonora Ponceña", and his biggest idol since childhood, Mr. Oscar D'Leon from Caracas, Venezuela.During his early grade school years he was further influenced by his music teacher Mr. Fermin Torres who invited Fernandito to join his Marimba's Musical Group. He remained with the group for nearly three years. He later attended Juan Morell Campos School of Music for advance courses and joined the traditional folklore dance groups.
In 1984 he moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida where he was a drummer for his middle school Symphonic Band. While living in Miami he learned more about the tropical sounds of Cuban Music. He learned about one of Cuba's memorable musicians, Mr. Benny More, who inspired a new love for the "Son" of Cuban music.
In 1988, while serving with the U.S. Armed Forces in Germany, he met Mr. Hector Cruz, a well-known bass player from Puerto Rico who became his mentor. He then joined Mr. Rudy Fuesers, Irwin "Wito" Rodriguez, and legendary Fania All Star Percussionist Nicky Marrero of Germany's most popular Salsa Jazz Orchestra, "La Conexion Latina" for a period of three years. At age 20 he was integrated into this group as a background vocalist where, because of his young age among the members they nicknamed him "Fernandito". As a member of this great orchestra he was given the opportunity to work with another Fania All Star Legend, Mr. Larry Harlow. Also while in Germany he joined "La Orquesta Caribe", headed by Mr. Rene Muñiz also from Puerto Rico. With "Orquesta Caribe" he had the opportunity to work with another well-known salsa music vocalist from Puerto Rico, Mr. Anthony Martinez, who was collaborating with "Conexion Latina" at the time.
In 1992, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, together with an Army musician named Mr. Luis Columna they assembled "La Orquesta Mambo Sound". During his tenure with this group he became lead vocalist and co-leader. While with this group he had the opportunity to work with legendary vocalist Nacho Zanabria and Tito Allen. In 1994 he joined "Orquesta Innovacion" based out of Orlando, Florida headed by Mr. George Torres of Bayamon, Puerto Rico and was given the opportunity to accompany legendary Fania Star vocalist Adalberto Santiago, Mr. Nino Segarra and opening act for Oscar D' Leon and La India.
In 1997, he departed to the Republic of Korea for a one-year tour. There he met other musicians such as Mr. Falu "El Monge" Febre who was also serving a tour and was the musical director for "La Clave Tropical". This musical group consisted of eight members and Fernandito replaced Mr. J.C. Perez as lead vocalist of the group. While with this group he faced the difficult task of performing for and entertaining Korean national audiences who were just discovering and learning to appreciate Afro-Caribbean rhythms. He remained with "La Clave Tropical" for five months before returning to North Carolina.
In 1999, while in Tucson, Arizona, he met the leader of "Grupo Descarga", Mr. Rafael Moreno, from Guadalajara Mexico and was invited to join them as a vocalist. There he met numerous well-known musicians from the region such as Amilcar Guevarra, Ed Ulman, Luis Torres, Nafi Escobar, Tony Thomas and, from Cuba, Mr. Chucho Valdez. While continuing to develop himself as a vocalist and as a percussionist with "Grupo Descarga" he had the opportunity to participate in several important musical events in the region that were transmitted live on local television stations. Upon returning to North Carolina he began to work occasionally with "La Orquesta Salsa Y Mas", based out of Norfolk, Virginia headed by Mr. Efrain Velazquez of Puerto Rico, for several tropical music recording artists such as Cano Estremera, Hector Tricoche, Anthony Cruz, and Maelo Ruiz.
In 2001, he teamed up with musical arranger and trombonist Mr. Felix" Omar" Rodriguez from Santurce, Puerto Rico assisted by colleagues like Robert (El Olympico) Rivera, Mr. Efrain (El Chief) Hernandez and DJ Jose Martinez of WFSS radio station's "La Hora Latina" to assemble one of the most praised tropical music bands in the Carolinas, which he named "La Orquesta Ideal".
In 2002, Fernandito left the Carolinas to return to the Republic of Korea and, once again, even before setting foot in the country, he did not waste any time moving around and making contact with key Army personnel such as CSM David Roman and a few other musicians to assemble his next project, "La Orquesta Esencia" headed by himself as its musical director and lead vocalist. For the first time in the Republic of Korea an authentic Salsa Orquesta was being established by a Puerto Rican native serving in the armed forces.
In August, 2003 and 2004 Orquesta Esencia was invited to participate in the 1st and 2nd Korean Salsa Congress, hosted by Albert Torres Inc. which attracted up to 10,000 Latin Music lovers and dancers from all around the Korean peninsula. In October, 2003 Fernandito was joined by the well-known and very talented arranger and trombonist, Mr. Greg Pena, of Guanica, Puerto Rico who served as his musical director and made it possible to record his first non-commercial musical production in September, 2004 with Orquesta Esencia in Seoul, Korea.
In 2004 his Orq Esencia were participants at the Korea-Wide and All-Army Battle of the Bands Nationals Contest which it was held at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. Orquesta Esencia was selected the 2004 Best Band Award for both competitions and Fernandito won the individual Best Vocalist Award.
Throughout the years, this young sonero has delighted diverse audiences in many regions of the world with latin music; however, the opportunity to produce a commercial musical production on a higher level has not yet arrived. Nevertheless, his greatest enjoyment is to continue to do what he loves doing the most which is promoting latin music everywhere he goes with the God's help and the strength and love of his three daughters
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Copyright 2002-2008 Clave Son Salsa.com
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
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