Oct. 19, 2005 – Tito Nieves, known as the Pavarotti of salsa because of his clear and powerful voice, will bring his substantial talent to the Reichhold Center for the Arts stage on Nov. 12. Winner of numerous gold records and nominated for Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, Nieves has been bringing salsa to national and international audiences for more than three decades.
Nieves began his professional career at 15 when he replaced lead singer Rafael De Jesus in Orquesta Cimarron. Nieves sang lead with the band for two years then went on to work with Hector Lavoe's orchestra. In 1979, thanks to an opportunity from composer Johnny Ortiz, Nieves recorded his first lead single with the group Taibori and performed with Julio Castro y La Massacre. His work with Ramon Castro and Ramon Rodriguez ultimately led to the creation of Conjuncto Clasico, and the group became a major force in the1980's Afro-Caribbean music scene, touring throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and South America.
His 1997 hit I Like It Like That, brought Nieves his biggest acceptance in the mainstream market. But with his Latin fans he long ago reached legendary status.
Nieves launched his solo career in 1988 when he began recording for RMM Records. Sonambulo, composed by Leo Casino, was his first bit hit. His first album, The Classic, went gold. Nieves was quickly developing a strong personal style and reaching out to capture musical markets on a global scale. His second album, Yo Quiero Cantar, released in 1989, offered an English-language song, I'll Always Love You, which crossed over to the mainstream pop stations, and earned him a second gold record. His third album, 1991’s Dejame Vivir, went platinum. He followed these successes with Un Tipo Comun, produced by Cuto Soto, and appeared on the TV show New York Undercover, singing Lo Prometido Es Deuda from the album Rompecabezas. Tito Nieves' eighth album on RMM, Clase Aparte, produced by Ramon Sanchez in Puerto Rico, was nominated for a Billboard Magazine award in 1998.
Other awards include three Ace Awards for vocals, and his 1994 video No Me Vuelvo A Enamora. In 1997 he won Best Artist in New York and he received the 1999 Globo Award for Best Tropical Singer and a Premio Lo Nuestro Award for Asi Misomo Fue, in 2000, Nieves was among Billboard’’s Top 10 –partially thanks to his Un Amor Asi and the Como Llego Tu Amor, a duet with the legendary Ruben Blades. In 2002 he received a Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album.
His latest album Farbicanto Fantasias, produced on his new record label SGZ Entertainment may just be his most important, Nieves says. " It comes at a very crucial time for me. I sing about the emotions I experienced on losing my son." Nieves says the album was recorded in his son's memory, adding, "But I also have a 7-year-old son who expects the best of me and I must go forth for him."
Nieves is at the peak of a career he has been building for almost four decades and he will not only bring his considerable experience and talent to the Reichhold, he will also perform at Island Center on St. Croix on Nov. 11.
Both shows begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the Reichhold show range from $25 to $45 and can be purchased on line at www.reichholdcenter.com, or at Parrot Fish, Modern Music (both locations), Krystal & Gifts Galore,
Connections on St. John, UVI Bookstore and the Reichhold Ticketing Office at 693-1559. Tickets for the Island Center performance are $25 and $35 and may be purchased on line at www.reichholdcenter.com or on St. Croix at St. Croix: Alliance Clothing, UVI Bookstore, Urban Threadz, or by calling the Reichhold Ticketing Office at 693-1559.
Nieves is brought to the V.I. in part by the following sponsors: V.I. Council on the Arts, American Airlines, and Marriott Frenchman's Reef.