Monguito "El Unico", was a Cuban vocalist. He was born Ramón Quian, in Matanzas

Matanzas

Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore.It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas , east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero.Matanzas is called the...

 Province, Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...

; and died in 2006, in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

. An Afro-Cuban

Afro-Cuban

The term Afro-Cuban refers to Cubans of Sub Saharan African ancestry, and to historical or cultural elements in Cuba thought to emanate from this community...

 sonero, he had a simple improvising style with a distinctive nasal voice.

Performed with Orquesta Mazzuet in his native town before relocating to Havana

Havana

Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...

, there sang with Orquesta Modernista and Conjunto Modelo. In the 50's moved to Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, there worked with Pepé Arévalo y sus Mulatos and appeared in three movies. In 1962 moved to New York, and began with Orquesta Broadway. He made first album with Arsenio Rodríguez on Primitivo '63 on Roost. In 1967 made Fania

Fania All-Stars

The Fania All-Stars was a musical ensemble established in 1968 by the composer, Johnny Pacheco, as a showcase for the musicians on the record label Fania Records, the leading salsa record company of the time.-Beginnings:...

 solo debut with Johnny Pacheco

Johnny Pacheco

Johnny Pacheco is a Dominican producer, musician, bandleader, and one of the most influential figures in American salsa music.-Early life:...

 Presents Monguito. His debut on SAR, produced by Roberto Torres, "Yo No Soy Mentiroso" de 1979 went gold.

Much like Ismael Rivera

Ismael Rivera

Ismael "Maelo" Rivera , was a renowned Puerto Rican composer and singer of salsa music.-Early life:Ismael Rivera was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on October 5, 1931. He was the first of five children born to Luis and Margarita Rivera. His father, Luis, was a carpenter and his mother a housewife...

, he embodies an earthy, pragmatic aesthetic in the tradition of the son montuno

Son montuno

The son montuno is a style of the Cuban son, but exactly what it means is not an easy question to answer. The son itself is the most important genre of Cuban popular music. In addition, it is perhaps the most flexible of all forms of Latin-American music...

, forged in the streets of Cuba.

Discography

• Bajandote (with Orchestra Harlow) (1966)
• Viva Africa (with Johnny Pacheco) (1967)
• Fania All Stars - Live at the Red Garter - Vol 1 (1968)
• Pacheco presents Monguito (1968)
• El Unico (1968)
• De Todo Un Poco (1969)
• Escuchame (1969)
• Latin Mann (with Herbie Mann) (1966)
• Te Invita a Bailar (with Johnny Pacheco) (1965)
• Sabrosura (with Johnny Pacheco)
• La Crema (with Johnny Pacheco)
• Yo No Soy Mentiroso

External links

• You Tube video of Monguito and his band