Issac Delgado

: "This article is about the musician; for the New Orleans philanthropist with a similar name, see Isaac Delgado"

Infobox Person
name=Issac Delgado


caption=
birth_date=September 11, 1962
birth_place=Marianao, Havana, Cuba
death_date=
death_place=

Issac Delgado (born Issac Felipe Delgado-Ramirez on September 11, 1962 in Mariano, Havana, Cuba) is one of Cuba's biggest salsa stars.

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 soccer. 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 instuctors in Cuba, Mariana De Gonish. He also enrolled in the school for professional musicians, "Ignacio Cervantes.

Professional life

In 1983 he began his professional career becoming one of the members of the "Orquestra de Pancho Alonso". He then began to travel internationally with the orchestra and recored his first CD. In 1987 he becomes the vocalist for "Galaxia" and records his second CD. In 1988, he became the lead vocalist in the group "NG La Banda". It was with this group that he found fame. He recorded three CDs with this band and was awarded the 1990-1991 EGREM prize. In 1991 he creates his own band and records a CD, "Dando La Hora" under the artistic direction of Gonzalo Rublacaba. This album receives the 1992 EGREM Prize. He then records another CD, "Con Ganas", again with Rubalcaba and this CD receives two EGREM prizes in 1993. In 1994 he receives another EGREM award for his CD "EL Chevere De La Salsa y el Caballero del Son". His next album is "El Ano Que Viene". He later travels to the United States to perform in the Festival of Salsa in New York's Madison Square Garden with Celia Cruz, El Canario, and Groupo Niche. In New York he recorded another album, "Otra Idea". In 1997 he performed at the festival "Guerra de la Salsa" with La India, Rey Ruiz, and Tony Vega. In 2006 he walked across the U.S.-Mexico border into Laredo, Texas and defected, bringing with him only his family (his wife, Massiel Valdes, and his two daughters, Dalina and Alessia), talent and reputation. In May 2007 his latest album, "Primera Plana" will be released. He now lives in Tampa, Florida.

References

* [http://www.ahinama.com/issacbio.htm Ahi-Nama article]
* "The Miami Herald"; April 25, 2007