Episode 29: El Cantante Frankie Morales

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The stories of Salsa Continue..

In this episode of Mambo in the City Salsa Podcast: El Cantante Frankie Morales stops bye to shares stories of Joe Bataan, growing up around Ismael Miranda, Pete El Conde Rodriguez and the Club Corso,  where he began singing coro for "El Cantante de Los Cantantes" Hector Lavoe! Frankie talks about growing up in El Barrio in New York City, working w/ Conjunto Clássico, travels with Ismael Rivera and Eddie Montalvo, Recording with Jimmy Sabater,  Tito Allen!  Frankie also talks about being hired by "The King" Tito Puente life on the road w/ Tito Puente, recordings and being the last singer for the King of Latin Music.


Hosted by Adrian Montanez & DJ Broadway!







BIO
Learning from Salsa's legends such as Joe Bataan and Hector Lavoe, Frankie was primed to step it up when the greats like Celia Cruz, Ismael Rivera, Ismael Miranda, Pellin Rodriguez and Cheo Feliciano, among others, came knocking. 

Starting on the streets of "El Barrio", New York City's Spanish Quarter, Frankie has come a long way, and to this day, continues to grow. His first recording "Sabor Del Barrio" led the way to a ten year association with Bad Street Boys. With an inherent desire to return to his roots, and with a firm work ethic rooted in the philosophy that "growth comes to a Salsero through ‘work, work and more work' Frankie parted ways and started focusing on the Salsa genre once again. Proving that it was the right choice for him, Frankie was ready when the Lebron Brothers invited him to sit in and record with them.

The recording was so impressive, that Caiman Records then produced two albums featuring none other than Frankie Morales as a solo artist, entitled "Frankie Morales: En Su Punto" and "Standing Out". These two albums exposed Frankie to greater audiences and enhanced both his experience and reputation resulting in what he thought to be a dream when he was invited as an independent vocalist to join the great legends of "The Fania All-Stars."

Continuing to grow his experience, and after singing back-up for Tito Nieves, the late visionary, Ralph Mercado recommended Frankie to Ernest "Tito" Puente, who was in search of a lead vocalist. Traveling the world with Master Puente, "El Rey Del Timbal," was definitely one of the highlights of Frankie's career and famed him as a Grammy Award winner with the recordings of "Tito Puente Mambo Birdland" and "Masterpiece", Puente's final album and collaboration with "The Great" Eddie Palmieri. Still today, even after "El Rey's" passing, Frankie holds the position of Lead Vocalist with the Tito Puente Orchestra.

Bio Credit: klaveLatina.com

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