Louie Ramirez
{{short description|American jazz musician and composer}}
File:Louie R with Warren C and Tito P.jpg
Louie Ramirez (February 24, 1938 – June 7, 1993){{Cite web|url=http://www.nts.live/artists/26598-louie-ramirez|title=Louie Ramirez |website=Nts.live|access-date=6 October 2021}} was an American boogaloo, salsa and latin jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, band leader and composer. He co-wrote with Johnny Pacheco the 1961 hit "El Güiro De Macorina". He has been called "the Quincy Jones of Salsa."[http://www.vickisolasalsa.com/feature-remembering-louie-ram%C3%ADrez/ Jackie Nuñez, "Remembering Louie Ramírez"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318061901/http://www.vickisolasalsa.com/feature-remembering-louie-ram%C3%ADrez/ |date=2014-03-18 }}, Viva La Música NY Style…Y Más.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vinilemania.net/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618094001/http://www.vinilemania.net/vlouieramirez.htm|url-status=dead|title=Vinile Mania|archive-date=18 June 2008|website=Vinilemania.net|access-date=6 October 2021}}
Biography
Ramirez was born in Manhattan, New York City, United States. Son of Puerto Rican parents living in New York City. {{cite book|title=The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Guinness Publishing|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=2037/8}} He made his professional debut with Joe Loco's band in 1956, replacing vibraphonist Pete Terrace. Ramirez made his own debut as a bandleader in 1963, with Introducing Louie Ramirez (Rmo Records). He subsequently recorded for Alegre, Fania, Atco, United Artists Records, Caiman, FNA and RMM Records & Video.[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p116809/discography|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic discography]
He partnered with Charlie Palmieri and Joe Cuba from 1965 to 1968. With Tito Rodriguez he released the LP Tito Rodríguez y Louie Ramírez En Algo Nuevo in 1972, and Ray de La Paz. He became a staff producer at Fania in 1975. He appeared as a sideman or a production assistant on many recordings by other artists, such as Willie Colón, in the 1970s.
On June 7, 1993, while driving along Junction Boulevard in Queens, New York, Ramirez suffered a fatal heart attack, at the age of 55. He was recording his third album with the singer Ray De La Paz. It was entitled Preparate Bailador.
References
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External links
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- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080618094001/http://www.vinilemania.net/vlouieramirez.htm Louie Ramirez] at Vinilemania
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Category:American jazz vibraphonists
Category:Fania All-Stars members
Category:Fania Records artists
Category:Jazz musicians from New York City