Legend of Latin jazz hitting the charts - el compositor de jazz latino Fred Ramirez - TA: the Latin jazz composer Fred Ramirez

Hispanic Times Magazine, Dec, 1997

An extremely gifted and inventive composer, arranger and pianist--Fred Ramirez began classical piano training at the age of six years. By the time he was 16, he had taught himself the vibraphone through listening to Cal Tjader and Milt Jackson. In his youth, he also gained experience in composition and music arranging.

Now, Ramirez, a native of Los Angeles, leads a 10-piece orchestra, which has delighted and captivated audiences from local festivals to New York, Miami, San Francisco, and back to Los Angeles, highlighting sizzling Latin jazz.

His credits range from Glenn Yarborough, Robert Goulet, Willie Bobo, Sergio Mendez, Celia Cruz, and many others. His strong and exciting piano style, together with the fluidity of his vibraharp (vibes) play in conjunction with the unique orchestration of original compositions.

The Fred Ramirez Orchestra sets the mood for Ilyana, whose energetic vocal and visual performance takes the music into a full swing of "Salsa"--and affording the audience a spectacle of listening and dancing music.

Ilyana, born in Spain and raised in Cuba and Miami, acquired training in the classics at an early age. Her varied musical background spans from opera to jazz to musical cabaret. She also acquired a keen sense of value for the rhythms of Afro-Cuban music (sabor y ritmo).

A compact disc in current release, and featuring this talented vocalist is Mi Isla Tropical--a potpourri of original tropical sounds. A current Fred Ramirez compact disc: is A Tribute to Legends of Latin Jazz. In this musical achievement, Fred has been able to convey a musical salute to some of the musical giants who have influenced him in achieving the "focus" in his career. Having the vibraphone as the "lead voice" on most of his original compositions, is the choice for "singing" melodically from the heart over the orchestra of piano, brass and reeds, and percussion retaining the beauty of the Latin Rhythms and spontaneity of Jazz.