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 Johnny Pacheco the 1961 hit "El Güiro De Macorina". He has been called "the Quincy Jones of Salsa."[1][2]
Biography[]
Ramirez was born on February 24, 1938, in New York City. 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.[2][3]
He partnered with Charlie Palmieri and Joe Cuba 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.[2]
On June 7, 1993, while driving along Junction Boulevard in Queens, New York, Ramirez suffered a fatal heart attack,[1] at the age of 55. He was recording his third album with singer Ray De La Paz. It was entitled Preparate Bailador.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Jackie Nuñez, "Remembering Louie Ramírez" Archived 2014-03-18 at the Wayback Machine, Viva La Música NY Style…Y Más.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c [1] Archived June 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Allmusic discography
External links[]
- Louie Ramirez discography at Discogs
- Louie Ramirez at Descarga.com[dead link]
- Louie Ramirez at Vinilemania
- 1938 births
- 1993 deaths
- American jazz vibraphonists
- Latin jazz musicians
- Salsa musicians
- Musicians from New York City
- Fania Records artists
- 20th-century American musicians
- Jazz musicians from New York (state)