Making the transition from the ghettos of New York Latin barrios to the heights of the music world requires enormous character. Such is the case of Ray Barretto.
Never straying from his roots, he was a great admirer of swing, jam, jazz, and the genresâ most noted figures, such as Dizzy Gillespie. He made these genres his own, standing out as a great vocalist.
His career took on a new dimension in 1967, when he replaced Mongo SantamarĂa in the Tito Puente Orchestra, with whom he recorded his first album, âDance Mania.â The albumâs success would set the stage for his future professional career.
Between 1968 and 1975, Barretto recorded a total of nine albums on the Fania label, a label which he helped to create.
The musical legacy of Ray Barretto included a Best Latin Album Grammy in 1989 for âRitmo en el corazĂłn,â which he recorded with Celia Cruz. In 1990, he took a seat of honor in the Salon de Fama for International Latin Music.