Elsa Miranda

Elsa Miranda was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a city located in the southern region of the island. She moved to New York City with her mother Amelia Miranda (1898-2007) and became a performer who first attained notoriety as a vocalist through her live performances during the Golden Age of Radio in the United States in the 1940s. Included among her most popular songs were Adiós Mariquita Linda as performed with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra, Cariñoso as performed with Desi Arnaz and his orchestra, Besos de Fuergo and Sonata Fantasía among others.

Miranda first appeared on the radio performing the promotional singing commercial Chiquita Banana in 1945. Her interpretation of the tropical tune proved to be immensely popular and was broadcast over 2,700 times per week.{{cite magazine|journal=Life Magazine |date=1 December 1946|volume=21|issue=25|page=122 |title=Radio Jingles: Hymns to soap and cereal invite satire but sell ever increasing amounts of sponsors' wares|issn=0024-3019|accessdate=2018-03-24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oE0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA121 |quote=[photo caption] 2700 times a week during its peak popularity, Chiquita Banana song, styled like a Trinidad Calypso, was broadcast from recordings by Elsa Miranda.

}} These commercial radio broadcasts created widespread notoriety for Miranda.{{cite book|last=Sloninsky|first=Nicholas |title=Sloninsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes|chapter=Elsa Miranda as 'Chiquita Banana'|publisher=Routledge Taylor and Francis Group |location=London |year=2002 |page=266|isbn=978-0-415-93938-6 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yBIiAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA266}} She was also celebrated as one of the most popular models in the "Miss Chiquita Banana" contest during the 1940s, making several advertising and promotional film appearances on behalf of the Chiquita brand.{{cite magazine|title=AMI N.Y. Debut To Be March 27 |quote=Elsa Miranada, who has won fame as 'the Chiquita Banana Girl', and Alfredo Antonini, conductor, are scheduled for personal appearances at the firm's showing of the AMI phonograph.|magazine=The Billboard |date=23 March 1946 |page=125|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-RkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT124}} She subsequently collaborated in various musical events representing the brand with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra during 1945 and 1946.{{cite book|last1=Terrell |first1=Christine |last2=Martin |first2=Beverly |last3=Pearson |first3=Steve|title=Images of America - Forest Park|chapter=Photograph of Elsa Miranda - "Miss Chiquita" model. |publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Chicago|year=2008|page=96

|isbn=9780738554327 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c9ANgllVn2kC&pg=PA96 }}{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SqVqBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT89 |title=Bananas: An American History |first=Virginia Scott |last=Jenkins |chapter=Elsa Miranda - Miss Chiquita Banana resurrected in 1966 |publisher=Smithsonian Books |year=2000 |isbn=1-56098-966-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/bananasamericanh00jenk }}

{{ external media| audio1 = You may listen to Elsa Miranda in the first "Chiquita Banana" commercial [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVw06mVcAAM here] |audio2 = You may listen to Elsa Miranda singing "Chiquita Banana" with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in 1946 [https://archive.org/details/78_chiquita-banana_elsa-miranda-alfredo-antonini-and-his-viva-america-orchestra-mckenz_gbia0185276a/CHIQUITA+BANANA+-+Elsa+Miranda+-+Alfredo+Antonini+and+his+Viva+America+Orchestra.flac here on archive.org]}}

As a result of this exposure, Miranda soon emerged in a series of performances on radio networks in New York City.

By 1946, she appeared on such network broadcasts as The Jack Smith Show on CBS and Leave It To Mike on Mutual.

{{cite magazine |magazine=The Billboard |date=2 February 1946 |page=4|volume=58 |issue=5|title=Banana E.T. Proves Good Eating for Elsa Miranda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YBgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT3 }} At this time she also engaged in a series of collaborations with noted interpreters of Latin American music in New York including Xavier Cugat on the C-C Spotlight Bands show for WOR radio and Alfredo Antonini on the Viva America show for the Columbia Broadcasting System and Voice of America.{{cite magazine|magazine=The Billboard|date=20 April 1946 |page=12|title=Too Short for a Head - Elsa Miranda and Xavier Cugat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l0UEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda+Xavier+Cugat&pg=PT11}}{{cite book|title=Just Remember This |first=Bratkovich |last=Colin |year=2014 |page=174 |chapter=Elsa Miranda in Viva America|isbn=9781483645193 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5WwBBQAAQBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PA173}} While performing on Viva America she also collaborated with several international musicians of that era including: the Mexican tenors Juan Arvizu and Nestor Mesta Chayres, the Argentine composer/arranger Terig Tucci and members of the CBS Pan American Orchestra including John Serry Sr.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ehN4sM0Xy_UC&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PA49 |title=Media Sound And Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean|editor=Bronfman, Alejandra and Andrew Grant Wood|publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press |location=Pittsburgh, PA |year=2012 |page=49

|isbn=978-0-8229-6187-1|chapter=Elsa Miranda, Viva America, Juan Arvizu, CBS Pan American Orchestra}}

Before long, Miranda engaged in a series of recordings in collaboration with leading conductors of Latin American music in the United States. Her performances included renditions of Cariñoso, Carnival in Rio, I'll Never Love Again and Tia Juana with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra for Victor Records in 1946 and 1947.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gnMfAAAAMAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda|magazine=The American Record Guide |volume=13 |year=1947|page=95 |title=Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnez}}

They also included performances with Alfredo Antonini on recordings for Pilotone Records and Alpha Records which included: Alma Llanera, Silencio, Music of the Americas and Songs and Dances of Latin America.{{cite magazine

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT99 |title=Album Reviews - 'Songs and Dances of Latin America'|magazine=The Billboard | date=22 March 1947 |page=110}}[https://books.google.com/books?id=BdoLAQAAIAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini The New Records - "Music of the Americas" - Record review of Alfredo Antonini, Viva America Orchestra and Elsa Miranda in "the New Records" September 1947 p. 71 on google.books.com]

By 1947, Mianda also collaborated in Puerto Rican radio shows with Rafael Pont Flores, Elmo Torres Perez, Pepito Torres and his Siboney Orchestra and the Dúo Rodríguez-De Códova (Alicía and Adalberto, who once performed for WEMB).[https://books.google.com/books?id=oO4uAAAAYAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Elmo+Torres+Perez Historia de la Radio en Puerto Rico Jose Luis Torregrosa. Asociación de la Radiodifusores de Puerto Rico, 1991 p. 245 - Elsa Miranda and Elmo Torres Perez and Pepito Torres and Orchestra Siboney and el duo Rodriguez on WEMB on google.books.com]{{in lang|es}}

File:Carlos Ginés y Elsa Miranda.jpg

As the 1950s emerged, Miranda appeared in the film Captura Recomendada as a musical performer with Carlos Ginés.{{imdb name|nm1017265|Elsa Miranda}} She also appeared later in the decade in the film Ensayo Final (1955)[http://www.cinenacional.com/persona/elsa-miranda/ Entrada de Elsa Miranda en Cinenacional] in which she shared scenes with such actors as Carlos Ginés, Gloria Ferrandiz, Ricardo Lavié, Margarita Corona, Eduardo Rudy, Nathán Pinzon, Alberto Closas, Santiago Gómez Cou and Nelly Panizza.{{cite book|last=Blanco Pazos|first=Roberto|title=De la Fuga a la Fuga: Diccionario de Films Policiales|language=es|year=2004|publisher=Corregidor|location=Buenos Aires|page=98}}{{in lang|es}} She also appeared on the television program Tropicana Club with Ángel Magaňa, Carlos Castro "Castrito" and Mario Pocoví. In addition, she collaborated in 1955 in Comedias Musicales with Pedro Quartucci, Perla Alvarado, Angel Eleta, Lita Moreno and Dorita Vernet. In 1952 she also appeared in the theater production of Sonrisas y Melodías.[https://books.google.com/books?id=tKRNAAAAYAAJ&q=Sonrisas+y+Melodias+Elsa+Miranda Caras y Caretas Fundacion Octubre, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1952, Issues 2343-2148 p. 99 Elsa Miranda and "Sonrisas y Melodias" on google.books.com]{{in lang|es}}

In addition to her recordings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Miranda included several recordings of boleros with the Cuban René Touzet Orchestra for Seeco Records in her discography.[https://archive.org/search.php?query=Elsa%20Miranda Elsa Miranda recordings on Archive.org]

Miranda's musical performances on both radio and television were widely applauded by members of the public as well as professional critics of her time. For example, reviewers in The Billboard magazine specifically applauded Elsa Miranda for her sweet and spirited renditions of boleros. In addition, they cited her for the intimacy of her performances and her ability to contrast English and Spanish lyrics with such ease.{{cite magazine

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8x8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda+Billboard&pg=PT78

|title=Single recording recording review of Elsa Miranda and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra

|magazine=The Billboard|date=30 November 1946 |page=170}}

On 27 April 2007, Miranda passed away at the Madison Center in Old Bridge, New Jersey at the age of 85. Her cremated remains were buried in Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is survived by her daughter, her sister, two granddaughters, and three great-grandchildren.[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/elsa-miranda-obituary?pid=87671603&view=guestbook Elsa Miranda - Obituary in "The Star Ledger" on legacy.com] Her musical legacy includes several single recordings of popular Latin American music from the Golden Age of Radio on major labels including: Columbia Records,{{fact|date=June 2020}} Victor Records and Alpha Records.

{{External media | width = 290px | audio1= Elsa Miranda and the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra performing "There's Still A Little Time" in 1946
[https://archive.org/details/78_theres-still-a-little-time_elsa-miranda-alfredo-antonini-and-his-viva-america-orch_gbia0185276b/THERE'S+STILL+A+LITTLE+TIME+-+Elsa+Miranda.flac Here on Archive.org]}}

• Adios Mariquita Linda - Alpha (#12206) Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Marcos A. Jimenez with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) {{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Alpha+12206

|magazine=The Billboard |page=34 |date=6 April 1946 |accessdate=2018-03-25

|volume=52 |issue=14

|title=Advance Record Releases:Adios Mariquita Linda}}

• Alma Llanera - Pilotone (#5071) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) {{cite magazine|accessdate=2018-03-25

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DBoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PT28 |volume=58 |issue=46

|magazine=The Billboard|page=29|title=Advance Record Releases: Alma Llanera

|date= 16 November 1946}}

• Caminito de Tu Casa - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Julio Alberto Hernández with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946){{cite magazine |accessdate=2018-03-25

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129

|magazine=The Billboard |title=Advance Record Releases: Caminito de Tu Casa|date=6 April 1946

|page=34|volume=58|issue=14}}

• Cariñoso - Victor (#25-1071) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1947) [https://books.google.com/books?id=gnMfAAAAMAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda The American Records Guide - Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra Single recording of Elsa Mranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra performing "Cariñoso" in "American Records Guide" Vol. 13, 1947 p. 95 on google.books.com][https://books.google.com/books?id=LRoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PT32 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Cariñoso" Single recording Elsa Miranda with Desi Arnaza's Orchestra in "The Billboard" 28 September 1946 p. 33 on google.books.com]{{YouTube|I6XGDpYQim0|ELSA MIRANDA / DESI ARNAZ ORCHESTRA - I'll Never Love Again (La Borrachita) 1946}}
• Carnival in Rio - Victor (#25-1071) - Elsa Miranda performs with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1947)[https://books.google.com/books?id=gnMfAAAAMAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda The American Records Guide - Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra Single recording of Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra performing "Carnival in Rio" in "American Records Guide" Vol. 13, 1947 p. 95 on google.books.com]
• Chapinita - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda performs this bolero by Miguel Sandoval with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Chapinita" Single recording Elsa Miranda with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 34 on google.books.com]
• Flores Negras - Pampa (#11039-A) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Sergio De Karlo with Vlady and his Orchestra (19??) [http://frontera.library.ucla.edu/recordings/flores-negras-32 Flores Negras Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and Vlady with his Orchestra on frontera.library.ucla.edu]
• I'll Never Love Again - Victor (#20-2020) - Elsa Miranda sings the lyrics in English, with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1946) {{cite magazine|accessdate=2018-03-24

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8x8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda+Desi+Arnaz&pg=PT78

|magazine=The Billboard |date=30 November 1946 |page=170|title=Desi Arnaz - Victor (20-2020): I'll Never Love Again & Tia Juana}}{{YouTube|DTFKgcHFMgw|ELSA MIRANDA / DESI ARNAZ ORCHESTRA - I'll Never Love Again (La Borrachita) 1946}}

• La Mulata Tomasa - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Lazaro Qintero Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "La Mulata Tomasa" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130 on google.books.com]
• La Zandunga - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Andres Gutierrez with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "La Zandunga" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in The Billboard 6 April 1946 p. 130]
• Mi Nuevo Amor - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 THe Billboard - Advance Record Releases- "Mi Nuevo Amor" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130]
• Music of the Americas - Alpha (#????) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1947) [https://books.google.com/books?id=BdoLAQAAIAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini The New Records - "Music of the Americas" - Alfredo Antonini and Elsa Miranda New recording in "The New Records" September 1947 p. 71 on google.books.com]
• No Puedo Ser Feliz - Seeco (#7728) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Adolfo Guzman with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??)[https://archive.org/details/78_no-puedo-ser-feliz_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-adolfo-guzman_gbia0020889b No Puedo Ser Feliz Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org]
• No Te Importa Saber - Seeco (#7729) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Rene Touzet with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [https://archive.org/details/78_no-te-importe-saber_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-rene-touzet_gbia0021198b No Te Importa Saber Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org]
• Noche Azul - Seeco (#7729) - Elsa Miranda sings this Cha Cha Cha by Ernesto Lecuona with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [https://archive.org/details/78_noche-azul_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-ernesto-lecuona_gbia0021198a Noche Azul Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org]
• Noche de Ronda - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Agustín Lara with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Noche de Ronda" Single recording Elsal Miranda with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130 on google.books.com]
• Punal en el Alma - Seeco (#7728) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Paul Arenas with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [https://archive.org/details/78_punal-en-el-alma_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-paul-arenas_gbia0020889a Punal en el Alma Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org]
• Silencio - Pilotone (#5070) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946)[https://books.google.com/books?id=DBoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PT28 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - Alfredo Antonini and Elsa Miranda Single recording in "The Billboard" 16 November 1946 p. 29]
• Songs and Dances of Latin America - Alpha (#A-3) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra (1947) [https://books.google.com/books?id=fEUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT99 The Billboard - Album Reviews - Songs and Dances of Latin America Record review of Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini Orchestra in "The Billboard" 22 March 1947 p. 110]
• There's Still A Little Time - Alpha (1001B) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) [https://archive.org/details/78_theres-still-a-little-time_elsa-miranda-alfredo-antonini-and-his-viva-america-orch_gbia0185276b/THERE'S+STILL+A+LITTLE+TIME+-+Elsa+Miranda.flac Audio recording - Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Anotnini's Viva America Orchestra on archive.org]
• Tres Palabras - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Osvaldo Farres with Alfredo Antinini's Viva America Orchestra (1946){{cite magazine|accessdate=2018-03-24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129

|magazine=The Billboard |date=6 April 1946 |volume=58|issue=14|page=130|title=Advanced Record Releases|quote='Tres Palabras' - Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra}}

• Ensayo Final - Elsa Miranda performing in the cast (1955) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193905/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast Ensayo Final in imdb.com]
• Captura Recomendada - Elsa Miranda performing as herself (1950)[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042312/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast Captura Recomendada on imdb.com]

• List of Puerto Ricans
• History of women in Puerto Rico

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_art&q=Elsa+Miranda&fq=dt%3Aart&source= Elsa Miranda on Worldcat.org]
• {{imdb name|nm1017265|Elsa Miranda}}
• [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Elsa%20Miranda Recordings of performances by Elsa Miranda on Archive.org]
• [http://frontera.library.ucla.edu/recordings/flores-negras-32 Recording of performance of Flores Negras by Elsa Miranda with Vlady y su Orquesta in "The Strachwitz Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican American Recordings" at the University of California Los Angeles on frontera.library.ucla.edu]

{{Portal bar|Puerto Rico|Argentina|Biography}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Miranda, Elsa}}

Category:1922 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:Singers from Ponce

Category:Actresses from Ponce, Puerto Rico

Category:20th-century Puerto Rican women singers

Category:20th-century Puerto Rican singers

Category:20th-century Puerto Rican actresses

Category:Naturalized citizens of Venezuela

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:Victor Records artists