BOBBY VALENTIN

BIOGRAPHY

Bobby Valentin a.k.a. "El Rey del Bass" (King of the Bass), born June 9, 1941 in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, is a musician and salsa bandleader. Bobby (born Roberto Valentin) was taught by his father to play the guitar at a young age. When his mother died in 1947, he went to live with his older sister and was raised in the town of Coamo; here he received his primary education and studied music. When he was 11 years old, he participated in a local talent contest with a trio which he had formed. He played the guitar and sang for the trio and they won the first prize. One of his teachers suggested that he attend the Jose I. Quinton Academy of Music, where he learned to play the trumpet. In 1956, Bobby moved with his family to New York City where he attended high school and continued to take music lessons. In 1958, he went to play for Joe Quijano but, shortly after he joined Willie Rosario, who also came from his same neighborhood and played in his band. In 1963, Bobby joined Tito Rodriguez and traveled twice with Tito's orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and sometimes for Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Willie Rosario, and Ray Barretto. In 1965, he formed his own band and was signed by the Fania Record Label. He recorded "El Mensajero" (The Mensenger) and "Young Man With a Horn". He held his first concert in Puerto Rico during that period. While in Puerto Rico, in 1969, his bass player did not show up. Bobby found someone to play the trumpet and he played the bass. Since then, he has played the bass for his band. He has also played the bass on occasion, for the bands of Willie Rosario, Raphy Leavitt and Vicentico Valdes. Bobby was also the musical arranger for the Fania All Stars. In 1975, Bobby left Fania and founded his own record label "Bronco Records" and released the recordings of "Vaya la Carcel" Vol 1 and Vol 2, recorded "live" at "El Oso Balanco" the State Penitentiary in Puerto Rico. In 1978, salsa singer Cano Estremera made his singing debut with Bobby's orchestra and recorded "Impacto Crea", "Siempre en Forma" (Always in Shape) and "Cuando Uno Se Enamora" (When You Fall In Love). During the years Bobby also helped others such as Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano and Celia Cruz. Bobby Valentin continues to record and plays with his band, his latest release being "La Gran Reunion" (The Gran Reunion). In 2004, Bobby Valentin's "En Vivo Desde Bellas Arts" was released in DVD form.

Roberto "Bobby" Valentin Fred, nasce il 4 Giugno del 1941 nel barrio Cacao di Orocovis, conosciuto come El Rey Del Bajo, bassista e componente della Fania All Stars. Inizia da autodidatta la sua carriera a sei anni come chitarrista e cantante e poi come trombettista. A 15 anni, insieme al fratello, decide di andare a New York. Lì conosce musicisti di grande talento come Louie Ramirez e Joe Quijano.Come trombettista suona nel gruppo di Chù Hernandez y Los Satelites, Israel Ortiz, Carlos Rivera e Alfredito Valdes. Nel 1962 registra il suo primo disco con Joe Quijano dal titolo "La Pachanga Se Baila Asi". Registra insieme a Willie Rosario alcuni album: "El Bravo Soy Yo", "El Fabuloso Y Fantastico", "Latin Jazz Go Go Go " e " Boogaloo y Guaguanco”. Sempre come trombettista e a volte trombonista, suona con Tito Rodriguez, Charlie Palmieri e Ray Barretto, con il quale assolutamente per caso, una volta prova a suonare il basso. La svolta arriva nel 1970, durante una serata all'Hotel La Concha, il bassista del gruppo Ralph Cabreara non arriva in tempo, Bobby chiede di suonare. Quella sera il gruppo si sente così bene che dal quel momento continua a suonare il basso. La musica di Bobby Valentin è caratterizzata da un mix di fraseggi jazz e cambi ritmici che vanno dal son montuno, al cha cha ed il bolero. La conoscenza e l'amicizia con altri grandi musicisti come Jhonny Pacheco, Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena e Chivirico Davilla rafforzeranno il suo bagaglio musicale. Nella sua orchestra hanno cantato Frankie Hernandez, Roberto Anglero, Marvin Santiago, Cano Estremera, Johnny Vazquez, Sammy Gonzalez, Luigi Texidor, Luisito Carrion, Rafu Warner, Giovanni Lugo, Tato Pena. Nel 2002, registra per l'anniversario della sua carriera "Vuelve A La Carcel" nel carcere Oso Blanco, invitando quasi tutti gli artisti che hanno fatto parte della sua orchestra.