Interview with Music2Deal Member Wito Rodriguez

Wito Rodriguez is a Chicago born Puerto Rican and a musician since childhood. Despite his tour of military service in Europe, he pursued his musical career by playing in several orchestras as a singer and taking singing lessons. With Orchestra Conexion Latina, Wito recorded two records, “Carlorcito” and “Un Poco Loco”.

You started off playing in a Rock’n Roll band. How did you discover your love for latin music?

In 1968 my dad decided to move back to Puerto Rico.  There I had to go to Spanish school and start learning how to speak Spanish language correctly.  I started listening to Spanish radio and really liked the music.  At the age of 16 and a half I got into a Salsa group and started to sing Salsa music.

For those of us who don’t speak Spanish, what are your songs about?

I have different types of songs and beats in my recordings.  Some are talking about love, about the world, about a certain style of music like “Bomba Puertorriquen” in my CD “Calorcito” and about something funny.

Tell us a little bit about the Latin Music scene. Is there a lot going on at the moment?

Right now the way I see it. Salsa hasn’t died and it’s getting powerful again.  Hard part about it all is that the promoters are not buying a big band like they used to, because of the amount of musicians they need to move from point A to B and return.  Normally a Salsa Ochestra has from 9-13 musicians.

You lived in the US, Puerto Rico and Europe.  What are the differences between the different music communities?

There is not really much difference!! Here in the USA you are able to hear every style of music the same as Puerto Rico.  Germany and Europe are now doing the same. When I started singing in Germany Salsa music back in the 70’s, there was not much Latin Music being played.  But through the years I started going to many places in Germany where the music was being liked and Germans wanted to know how to dance it.

Do you like contemporary music that is a mixture of Latin and Pop?

I love all kinds of music just as long it’s played right and sounds good.

Your biography shows you are an international person and artist. What do you think, how important are international presence and networking in the music business today?

It is very important!!!  I have been around all of Europe, Puerto Rico and USA.  This gave me more experience in how to present my music to people that did not understand it or have never heard the music.  This was great doing it.

What are your plans for 2013 and the future?

Well I want to be able to play in more venues.  I plan to record my next CD in August 2013 in Puerto Rico. I am appearing this August in one of the biggest Musikfest in the country.  It’s called Musikfest Bethlehem, PA musikfest.org. Also I have been sending my promo packet all around.  I believe that 2014 will be better than this year.

Interviewed by Lorena Campbell

Find Wito Rodriguez on Music2Deal: www.music2deal.com/us/vv8gzg_tflZpj2AWIVjUfbFHPaM_