Willie Rosario, also known as "Mr. Afinque," is a revered figure in the salsa music genre, both as a bandleader and as a musician. Born Fernando Luis Rosario Marin in Coamo, Puerto Rico, on May 6, 1930, he has been a significant force in Latin music since the 1950s. After moving to New York as a teenager, Rosario became deeply entrenched in the city’s burgeoning Latin music scene, playing with various orchestras before forming his own, Willie Rosario and His Orchestra, which would go on to become one of the defining ensembles of salsa music.

Throughout his illustrious career, which spans over six decades, Willie Rosario has been known for a sound that deftly combines elements of mambo, Latin jazz, and other Afro-Caribbean rhythms, all performed with a precision and energy that is unmistakable. Some of his orchestra's more recent releases include "Campanero Y Rumbero," "El Bravo De Siempre," "Latin Jazz Go Go Go," "Fabuloso y Fantastico," and "El Bravo Soy Yo," each showcasing the ensemble's vibrant brass sections, compelling rhythms, and catchy melodies that have made Willie Rosario a household name among salsa enthusiasts. His knack for creating danceable yet musically intricate arrangements has not only kept the orchestra relevant but also cemented his legacy as a master of Latin music orchestration and performance.

Genres

Boogaloo

Salsa

Latest Release

Campanero Y Rumbero

Willie Rosario and His Orchestra

Album - 10 Tracks - Released January 1, 1978