Julita Ross
Encyclopedia
Julita Ross was a singer of Puerto Rican danzas, also known as "The Great Lady of the Danzas".
. Her parents Ramon and Clemencia moved to the Santurce
section of San Juan in 1923. Ross received her primary and secondary education and graduated from the Central High School of Santurce. In 1940, she joined an artistic singing group which had a show called "Industrias Nativas" (Native Industries) and which was transmitted through the radio station "WIAC", until 1945.
During World War II, Ross entertained the troops with her voice in "USO shows" (United Service Organizations
). After touring with the USO, Ross went to New York
where she performed in many hispanic
theaters, among which was "El Teatro Puerto Rico
". She was also heard on the radio stations "WWRL" and "WHOM".
s "Diez Años" (Ten Years) by Rafael Hernández and "Aunque me Llores" (Even if you cry for Me) by Claudio Ferrer. In 1948, she recorded 49 danzas written by composers such as Juan Morel Campos
, Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
, Rafael Alers
and Angel Mislan
among others.
In 1953, Ross returned to Puerto Rico where she received a contract from the radio station "WNEL" to do the show "La Voz de Borinquen" (The voice of Puerto Rico). This is where she was nicknamed "The Great Lady of the Danzas".
Ross's first record was titled "Julita Ross canta Danzas" (Julita Ross sings Danzas). In 1961, she recorded "Julita y Chago" and in 1968 "La Siempre Recordada Julita Ross" (The Always Remembered Julita Ross).
in 1966. She continued to participate in many activities, especially with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. In 1974, Ross was honored by the Cayetano Coll y Toste
Club in Arecibo. She was given the "keys" to the city and inducted into the Arecibo Hall of Fame.
Julita Ross died on June 29, 1981 in Levittown, Toa Baja
and was buried in Bayamón
. The Mayor of Toa Baja honored her memory by renaming the Levittown theater "El Theatro de Bellas Artes de Julita Ross" (The Julita Ross Theater of Beautiful Arts).
Early years
Ross was born in Arecibo, Puerto RicoArecibo, Puerto Rico
Arecibo is a municipality in the northern midwest coast of Puerto Rico and located by the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta, and Florida. Arecibo is spread over 18 wards and Arecibo Pueblo...
. Her parents Ramon and Clemencia moved to the Santurce
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
section of San Juan in 1923. Ross received her primary and secondary education and graduated from the Central High School of Santurce. In 1940, she joined an artistic singing group which had a show called "Industrias Nativas" (Native Industries) and which was transmitted through the radio station "WIAC", until 1945.
During World War II, Ross entertained the troops with her voice in "USO shows" (United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
). After touring with the USO, Ross went to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where she performed in many hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
theaters, among which was "El Teatro Puerto Rico
Teatro Puerto Rico
The Teatro Puerto Rico was to the Latino community in the South Bronx what the Apollo Theater was to the African American community in the Harlem section of Manhattan. During its 1940s to 1950s "golden era," it was the hub of la farándula, a vaudeville-style package of Spanish-language events, and...
". She was also heard on the radio stations "WWRL" and "WHOM".
Singing career
In 1947, Ross was offered a recording contract. She recorded the boleroBolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
s "Diez Años" (Ten Years) by Rafael Hernández and "Aunque me Llores" (Even if you cry for Me) by Claudio Ferrer. In 1948, she recorded 49 danzas written by composers such as Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos , sometimes erroneously spelled Juan Morell Campos, was a Puerto Rican composer, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza to its highest level.-Early years:...
, Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez , was Puerto Rico's first renowned classical and danza composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers.-Early years:...
, Rafael Alers
Rafael Alers
Rafael Alers was a musician, composer, bandleader and the first Puerto Rican to compose the music score for a Hollywood feature film.-Early years:...
and Angel Mislan
Angel Mislan
Ángel Mislan , was a composer of Puerto Rican Danzas.-Early years:Mislan was born in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico where he was raised and educated. The small town is located in the western part of Puerto Rico. His father was a music teacher who gave private lessons on the use of musical instruments...
among others.
In 1953, Ross returned to Puerto Rico where she received a contract from the radio station "WNEL" to do the show "La Voz de Borinquen" (The voice of Puerto Rico). This is where she was nicknamed "The Great Lady of the Danzas".
Ross's first record was titled "Julita Ross canta Danzas" (Julita Ross sings Danzas). In 1961, she recorded "Julita y Chago" and in 1968 "La Siempre Recordada Julita Ross" (The Always Remembered Julita Ross).
Later years
Ross moved to Levittown, Toa BajaToa Baja, Puerto Rico
Toa Baja is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Toa Alta and Bayamón; east of Dorado; and west of Cataño. Toa Baja is spread over 5 wards and Toa Baja Pueblo . It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.Toa Baja considered to be a...
in 1966. She continued to participate in many activities, especially with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. In 1974, Ross was honored by the Cayetano Coll y Toste
Cayetano Coll y Toste
Dr. Cayetano Coll y Toste , was a Puerto Rican historian and writer. He was the patriach of a prominent family of Puerto Rican, educators, politicians and writers.-Early years:...
Club in Arecibo. She was given the "keys" to the city and inducted into the Arecibo Hall of Fame.
Julita Ross died on June 29, 1981 in Levittown, Toa Baja
Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Toa Baja is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Toa Alta and Bayamón; east of Dorado; and west of Cataño. Toa Baja is spread over 5 wards and Toa Baja Pueblo . It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.Toa Baja considered to be a...
and was buried in Bayamón
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
. The Mayor of Toa Baja honored her memory by renaming the Levittown theater "El Theatro de Bellas Artes de Julita Ross" (The Julita Ross Theater of Beautiful Arts).
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- German immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto Rico increased when German businessmen immigrated to Puerto Rico during the early part of the 19th century. However, it was the economic and political situation in Europe during the early 19th century plus, the fact that the Spanish Crown issued the Royal Decree of...