Early years
Valentín, born Roberto Valentín in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, 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; there he received his primary education and studied music. When he 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 place prize. One of his teachers suggested that he attend the Jose I. Quinton Academy of Music, which he did - here he learned to play the trumpet. [1]
In 1956, Valentín moved with his family to New York City where he attended George Washington 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. [2]
[edit] Musical career
In 1963, Valentín joined Tito Rodriguez (after not being hired by Tito in a recording session because of his age, he was given a chance and was added to his regular band) and traveled twice with Tito's orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and at times 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 of time.[2]
[edit] Recordings
While in Puerto Rico, in 1969, his bass player did not show up. Valentín 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 Valdés (he produced one of Valdés' albums, even writing its string arrangements as a personal goal). Valentín was also the musical arranger for the Fania All Stars, and is featured in a live recording of the conglomerate's song "Descarga Fania" (which he also wrote) playing a bass guitar solo.[1]
In 1975, Valentín left Fania and founded his own record label "Bronco Records" and released the recordings of "Va a la Carcel" Vol 1 and Vol 2, recorded "live" at "El Oso Blanco", Puerto Rico's oldest state penitentiary. At the time, Marvin Santiago was the singer on Valentín's band; his biggest hit with Valentín was "Soy Boricua", an ode to Puerto Rican nationality that has since become a patriotic song for the island nation. In 1978, salsa singer Cano Estremera made his singing debut with Valentín's orchestra and recorded various major hits for the band, particularly the Roberto Angleró song "La boda de ella" and "Manuel García".[3]
During the years Valentín has also helped others such as:
· Larry Harlow,
· Ismael Miranda,
· Roberto Roena,
· Cheo Feliciano and
· Celia Cruz.
He also provided backdrop for the Billyván Santiago (Marvin's youngest brother) song "Mata la cucaracha", a sleeper hit in Puerto Rico during the 2002 Christmas season.
[edit] Currently
Bobby Valentin continues to record and play with his band, his latest release being "La Gran Reunion" (The Grand Reunion). In 2004, Bobby Valentin's "En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes" was released in DVD form. In 2006 Bobby Valentin's "El Caiman" can be heard (or played) the video game Scarface. His last disc called "Evolución" was launched in 2008.
[edit] See also
Puerto Rico portal
· List of famous Puerto Ricans
[edit] References
1. ^ a b Musica de Puerto Rico
2. ^ a b Q&A with Booby Valentin
3. ^ Fania
[edit] External links
· Biography, Discography, Photos, Lyrics (SalsaClasica.com)
· Musica de Puerto Rico
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Valent%C3%ADn"
Categories: 1941 births | Living people | Puerto Rican musicians | Salsa musicians | People from Orocovis, Puerto Rico | Fania Records artists
Ven Rumbero
Bobby Valentin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a todos los rumberos buenos
a cada uno le enviaremos
un buen saludo sincero.
Pero que ven a bailar
pero que ven a gozar
si es que no quieres tocar
si es que no quieres rumbear.
y así oirás algo bueno.
Coro:
La rumba buena te está llamando
calienta afina ese cuero Belén.
Ven y ven, ven y ven, ven y ven
ven y ven rumbero bueno
rumbero malo pero ven.
~
Ven, ven conmigo a la rumba
la rumba mía mira que es de fuego.
Eh... yo le dedico mis guarachas
a todos los rumberos buenos.
In the song Ven Rumbero, Bobby Valentin pays homage to all the good rumba dancers and invites them to come and enjoy the music. The lyrics express the idea that the whole point of rumba is to let loose and dance with abandon, and that even those who may not consider themselves skilled at dancing should still come and join in the fun. The chorus emphasizes the appeal of good rumba music and beckons listeners to take part in the celebration.
The song itself is a classic example of the genre, with its infectious beat and rhythmic melody inspiring listeners to dance. The use of Guarachas and instruments like drums and maracas create a lively and engaging sound that perfectly captures the spirit of rumba. Bobby Valentin's voice is rich and soulful, conveying the sense of joy and energy that is at the heart of the music.
Interestingly, the origins of rumba can be traced back to the African slaves brought to Cuba during the colonial period. Over time, the music evolved to incorporate other influences, such as Spanish and indigenous Cuban rhythms. Today, rumba remains a popular genre of music and dance not only in Cuba but throughout the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo le dedico mis guarachas
I dedicate my upbeat music to
a todos los rumberos buenos
all the good salsa dancers out there
a cada uno le enviaremos
we will send each and every one of them
un buen saludo sincero.
a genuine and heartfelt greeting.
Pero que ven a bailar
But what do they see when they come to dance
pero que ven a gozar
But what do they come to enjoy
si es que no quieres tocar
If you don't want to play some music
si es que no quieres rumbear.
If you don't want to dance salsa
Ven a mirar, ven a escuchar
Come and watch, come and listen
y así oirás algo bueno.
and you'll hear something great.
La rumba buena te está llamando
The good salsa is calling you
calienta afina ese cuero Belén.
Warm up and get ready to dance, my friend.
Ven y ven, ven y ven, ven y ven
Come and come, come and come, come and come
ven y ven rumbero bueno
Come and come good salsa dancer
rumbero malo pero ven.
even if you're a bad salsa dancer, come.
Ven, ven conmigo a la rumba
Come, come with me to dance salsa
la rumba mía mira que es de fuego.
My salsa is hot, you gotta see it.
Contributed by Samantha F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@edwinaugustovega611
Yo escuchando este salsón el 1 de enero de 2023 celebrando año nuevo con este magnifico recuerdo, la interpretación e improvisación de Charlie Aponte, excelente y magistral, luego se formó ese despliegue de voces privilegiadas, fabuloso, excelente tema, la orquesta del maestro Bobby Valentín, una de las mejores de la salsa, gracias por tanto talento y sabor para el bailador. Desde Panamá 🇵🇦 un gran abrazo🎼🎵🎶🎙🎷🎸🎹🎺🥁🪘🪇🫂💃🏻🕺🏻😃😄🤗🤗
@oscarcruz8509
Yo en el 2024
@pablinacasana4993
yo febrero 2024
@jualexespiaguirre1733
Se van de a poco los mejores cantantes de la historia
Que hasta el día de hoy no veo uno que se compare a estos soneros y a los que se fueron
Viva la salsa brava
@carlosmcanino3826
lamentablemente cierto , perosolo se va su cuerpo su espiritu y su legado jamaz desapareceran
@diegogalvis6529
Que elegancia de Musica...!! ESTO ES SALSA Colombia los quiere... !!!
@ediddelrociocabreracastill9381
Lo he visto treinta veces y lo sigo viendo.......hombres de Fania lo mejor en salsa
@franciscorosa6358
Ese tema está bien bueno en sus tres versiones,la primera fué la de Larry Harlow con Ismael Miranda en 1969 del Lo me and my monkey,la segunda del Lp algo nuevo de bobby Valentín con Frankie Hernández 1970 y está última del 2002 ,más extensa.
@olgaromanoff7522
Esa Banda!! Que bandon!!! Cada vez que veo este video me encanta mas la SALSA!!!
@benjaminrios3896
Ahí estaba yo confinado cuando hicieron ése aniversario de Boby Valentín. Tremenda salsa. Lindos recuerdos aunque preso. Pero fue una gran alegría para todos los confinados que allí estábamos.