Often overlooked today, Norosbaldo Morales Sanabria, better known as Noro Morales was a seminal figures in the Latin Music scene of the 1940’s and 50’s in New York city. His Orchestra even rivaled Machito’s in popularity and Morales was even invited to perform in downtown Manhattan at a time when it was closed to Latino Musicians. His story starts in the Puerta de Tierra section of San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 4, 1912.  Noro learned several musical instruments as a child. The Morales family was a musical one; his father, Louis, played violin; brothers Ismael/Esy, Humberto, Jose/Pepito and Louis as well as sister, Alicia, all played instruments. In 1924, Louis was invited to Venezuela to work as the musical director of the presidential orchestra. He accepted the job and the family relocated there for 6 years. Sadly, months after their arrival, Louis died. At just 13 years old, Noro took over directing the orchestra. In 1930, the family moved back to Puerto Rico And Noro worked with Rafael Muñoz. 1935, brought changes to his life again, as he relocated to New York, getting work with Alberto Socarras, Augusto Cohen and Johnny Rodriguez (Tito Rodriguez’s older brother). Morales started an orchestra with his brothers Humberto and Esy in 1939. 1942’s ‘Serenata Ritmica’ was a smash hit and catapulted Morales to fame. He was soon invited to perform in downtown Manhattan and even the Daily New’s Harvest Moon Ball; he was quickly becoming mainstream! Noro’s Orchestra even rivaled Machito’s in popularity.  The changes tides of Latin Music caused Noro to return to Puerto Rico in 1960 where he played a hotel for the last 3 years of his life, Sadly, Noro suffered from alcoholism and a family history of diabetes, that he and his brothers all suffered from. Noro joined the ancestors on January 15, 1964. He was just 53 years old. You’ll learn all about this and much more in this week’s episode  

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 Often we think that there aren’t many women in Latin Music, however this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Lack of promotion may lead us to believe there aren’t many women in Latin Music but that should not stop us from seeking out and uplifting their phenomenal voices.  Today’s show will celebrate the talent of 19 incredible, yet often overlooked vocalists, bandleaders and instrumentalists. 

Don’t forget to follow me on facebook and instagram, @voiceofthewaterlily 

Women in Latin Music (Part I) (released in March 2022)

Song list:

Lagrimas Negras — Maria Teresa Vera 

El Manicero — Rita Montaner 

Ausencia — Esther Borja 

Eso — Maria Luisa Chorrens 

Rezo a Ochun — Candita Batista

Bomba Que me Gusta — Ruth Fernandez

Elegua 2 — Mercedita Valdes 

Pena Penita Pena — Lola Flores 

Te Adorare — Olga Chorrens 

Mata Siguaraya — Caridad Hierrezuelo 

Delirio— Carmen Delia Dipini 

La Gloria Eres Tu — Elena Burke 

Besos Brujos — Noraida Hernandez 

Omara Portuondo — He Venido A Decirte 

Mi Rumba Echando Candela — Celeste Mendoza

Fue Por Mi Bien — Blanca Rosa Gil 

Choco Orta — Lo Mismo Da 

La Mujer Latina — Latin Fever

Celia Cruz, Lolita Flores — Ay pena penita pena 

I think we can all agree Bad Bunny fever is everywhere. His life is being made into a movie, Marvel is making him into a superhero and his new album, “Un Verano Sin Ti’ got 183 million streams in one day. On the album, Bad Bunny, recorded a song titled “El Apagon’. On the song he samples from Ismael Rivera’s 1969 ‘Controversia‘, an iconic Rumba that speaks of empowerment and calls upon the ancestors, even referencing the Spanish moors with his chants of “ale lo lai le lo lei”. Listen to this  conversation with ethnomusicologist, writer and bandleader Aurora Flores as we break down what Controversia is really about. 

 I think we can all agree Bad Bunny fever is everywhere. His life is being made into a movie, Marvel is making him into a superhero and his new album, “Un Verano Sin Ti’ got 183 million streams in one day. On the album, Bad Bunny, recorded a song titled “El Apagon’. On the song he samples from Ismael Rivera’s 1969 ‘Controversia‘, an iconic Rumba that speaks of empowerment and calls upon the ancestors, even referencing the Spanish moors with his chants of “ale lo lai le lo lei”. Listen to this  conversation with ethnomusicologist, writer and bandleader Aurora Flores as we break down what Controversia is really about.