Ismael Miranda - Las Cuarentas

For nearly half a century, Ismael Miranda’s life has revolved around salsa.

Now, the career of the singer known as “El niño bonito de la salsa (the pretty boy of salsa)” will be celebrated on stage with “Ismael Miranda: Una Vida de Salsa,” a live concert at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx on Aug. 17.

“This is my fifth or sixth time at Lehman and it’s been beautiful,” says Miranda, 63 .

The Puerto Rico-born, Manhattan-raised singer will perform songs from his extensive catalog, joined by special guests Andy Montañez and Paquito Guzman.

With three Grammy nominations, one platinum and eight gold albums, and countless international honors over his 45 years as a recording artist, Miranda has found the key to longevity.

“The most important thing when you’re in the music business is to keep up to date with everything that’s happening,” he says.

“Every year I record new music and I work all over the world — South America, Puerto Rico, the states — I stay available to everybody,” adds Miranda.

“I’ve always maintained my style of music and I love to do salsa for the people who want to dance and sing.”

He’s been giving audiences what they want from the tender age of 11, when Miranda already knew he was destined for a career in Latin music.

“I started singing and playing the congas at a really young age,” he recalls.

“I use to sing in English and even did some theater, but I really wanted to sing Latin music. By the time I was 14 and 15 I started trying out with different groups.”

By 17, Miranda recorded his first hit single, “Rumbon Melon,” with Joey Pastrana’s Orchestra, which led to his being selected as lead singer for Larry Harlow’s band.

Miranda, who co-wrote the boogaloo hit, “El Exigente (“The Demanding One),” with Harlow, recorded several albums with his band before becoming the youngest artist in the Fania All-Stars lineup.

Miranda then cut 17 albums with Fania before taking his career to the next level by forming his own band, Orquesta Revelación.

But throughout his long career one thing has remained constant: Miranda’s melodic voice.

“I still have my voice intact and on top of that I’m in good shape,” he says.

With a biography in the works as well as another album, Miranda isn’t slowing down.

“Victor Manuelle is producing my next album, which we begin recording in September,” he says.

“My book should be finished this year and will be out in January. And then there are the concerts celebrating my 45 years in music. I just got back from Peru, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, and now I look forward to performing in Miami and New York.

“I take care of myself and I take care of my family,” says Miranda. “Every year it gets better.”

Source - http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/ismael-miranda-rocks-lehman-center-celebrate-45-years-music-article-1.1420508