Paulito fg biography sample

Cuban musician (born 1962)

This article is about the musician. For the New Orleans philanthropist with a similar name, see Isaac Delgado.

Issac Delgado (born Isaac Felipe Delgado-Ramirez on April 11, 1962 in Marianao, Habana, Cuba) is one of the founders of the band NG La Banda and is a popular salsa and timba performer.

Early life and family

His father, Luis Delgado, was a tailor and his mother, Lina Ramirez, was an actress, dancer and singer in the Teatro Musical de La Habana. When he was ten years old he entered the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory where he studied violoncello, an instrument that did not interest him. At twelve he left the conservatory, and pursued the study of sports and football. He later graduated in sport education. At 18, Isaac joined the group "Proyecto" at the request of the pianist, Gonzalo Rubalcaba. This sparked his innate love for music. It was at this point that he decided to study vocal technique with one of the best vocal instructors in Cuba, Mariana De Gonish. He also enrolled in the school for professional musicians, "Ignacio Cervantes".

Professional life

Issac Delgado began his professional career in 1983 when he joined Orquesta de Pacho Alonso. He travelled internationally with the orchestra and recorded a CD with them, his first commercial recording. In 1987 he became the vocalist for Galaxia, who also recorded a CD.

NG la Banda and the birth of timba

In 1988, Delgado became the lead vocalist for the group NG La Banda. It was with this group that he found fame. NG was the band that launched the timba revolution, the first new popular Cuban music genre in decades. As NG's lead vocalist, Delgado was at the cutting edge of Cuban dance music. His singing talents soon brought him to superstar status within the fast-growing timba field. Delg

After first beginning his musical education in elementary school, it was years until Nat began playing guitar and composing music. It was during college when he met until the present day, one of his greatest musical influences, Bernard “Happy” Shaw, who shared with him his soulful and inspired reggae music. Shaw, originally from Spanishtown Jamaica, played with Inventive Source in Jamaica and backed up such Jamaican acts as Culture. About the time Nat met him, Shaw started the band “Nagasa”. Influenced as well by other Reggae singers such as Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff and European bands such as Steel Pulse, The Clash and The Jam. Nat’s influences extend to r&b with artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament, Kool and the Gang, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin and Prince. From the world of Afro Latin music his influences include Beny More, Monguito, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Ismael Rivera, Jose Feliciano, Los Van Van, Paulito F.G, Manolito y su Trabuco, Elito Reve Jr. y su Charangon and Charanga Habanera.

In 1984, after moving to Portland, OR, Nat began studying Afro Cuban music with Trevor Salloum (Trevor Salloum, who is also a naturopathic physician has published several books on Bongo through Mel Bay publishing Co.) and in the same year began singing with the Salsa band “El Combo Caribe” led by timbalero Carmen Gangi. After a year and a half the band dissolved and Nat continued rumbas with Portland musicians, playing capoeira with teacher Almiro Aquilino dos Santos and after another year began singing for another reggae band called The Tribe. After a year of involvement with The Tribe, Nat formed his own band, Caribbeat, which integrated various World Music forms including Reggae, Hi

Paulito FG (aka Paulo FG, Pablo FG) (born Pablo Alfonso Fernández Gallo in Cuba) is one of the original innovators of timba and is a popular salsa and timba performer.

Career

Paulito began his professional career singing with Adalberto Álvarez and Dan Den. He then joined the band Opus 13, led by the arrangers Joaquín Betancourt and Juan Manuel Ceruto. Paulito took over leadership of Opus 13 in the early 1990s, and changed the name of the group.

In 1995 Paulito released Sofocándote, one of the most innovative recordings of the new dance genre timba. This was the first CD featuring his drummer Yoel Páez, one of Cuba's best. Paulito (El bueno soy yo) was released in 1996. It features Sergio Noroña (piano), Yosvel Bernal (synthesizer keyboard), Joel Domínguez (bass), Tomás Cruz (congas), and Yoel Páez (drums).

In 1997 he released Con la conciencia tranquila, considered by many to be his masterpiece (Moore 2011: web) The piano guajeos were individually constructed for each song. Joel Domínguez' bass-playing was both rhythmically aggressive and significantly melodic. Domínguez's bass lines were one of the major elements after the vocal choruses, giving the music its distinctive contrapuntal character. Creatively incorporating elements from different folkloric sources, the conga tumbaos of Tomás Cruz interlocks with the timbales/drumset hybrid parts created by Yoel Páez. The horn-playing and Ceruto's charts were also remarkable.

Una vez más...por amor (2001) was a continuation of Paulito's most creative period. The album marked the end of his collaboration with Juan Ceruto, with half of the songs arranged by Ceruto and the other half after his departure. Personnel included Mauricio Herrera (drums), Jorge "El Toro" Castillo (congas), Cristóbal Verdecia (bass), and Rolando Luna (piano).

Musical significance

Paulito FG is one of the most innovative Cuban timba artists. He spontaneously moves his rhythm section through various arran