Pedro Ortiz Davila
Encyclopedia
Pedro Ortiz Davila a.k.a. "Davilita" (May 21, 1912 – July 8, 1986) was a popular singer of boleros
and Puerto Rican patriotic songs.
, his parents however, moved to New York
when he was only a child and settled down in East Harlem
which is also known as "Spanish Harlem
" or "El Barrio". Davilita learned to play the guitar
at a young age and entertained his family with his voice. One of the places which Davilita frequented was Hernandez Record Store in "El Barrio" which was a common gathering place for young Latin
musicians at the time
, Rafael Hernández. Davilita got along with Hernandez and was able to see the unfinished version of Hernandez's composition "Lamento Borincano". Davilita asked Hernandez if he could record the song but, Hernandez thought that he was too young and declined his request. The song was to be recorded by Ramon "Canario" Quiroz with Davilita and Fausto Delgado as back-ups but fate had a different plan. Quiroz became ill on the day of the recording and Davilita ended up doing the recording as the lead voice.
, a fellow Puerto Rican and composer. He was asked by Flores to join his "Sexteto Flores" along with Myrta Silva
and Daniel Santos
. Davilita accepted and became the lead singer in many of Flores' boleros. He traveled to many countries with the sexteto.
and together formed a duo. Even though Davilita's voice wasn't as sharp as when he was young, they were able to score many "hits". The duo was successful in Puerto Rico, the United States and Latin-America. In the 1960s, they together with Rafael Cortijo
and El Gran Combo
were able to successfully confronted the wave of rock
music invading the island. In 1973, Davilita and Felipe recorded "Canciones de Pedro Flores" (The Songs of Pedro Flores) and in 1974, they recorded "Canciones de Rafael Hernández" (The Songs of Rafael Hernández). Also in 1974, Davilita, Felipe and Pellin Rodríguez
(no relation to Felipe) recorded a trilogy
which are considered Puerto Rican "classics". These were "La Protesta de los Reyes" (The Protest of the Wisemen), "Parranda parrandera" and "Navidad" (Christmas
).
(another strong pro-independence supporter) in the early 1970s, including "El Bambú" and "El Yunque y El Cordero". Pedro Ortiz "Davilita" Davila had recorded over 3,000 songs before his death in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on July 8, 1986. He is buried in the Braulio Dueño Colon
cemetery in Bayamón.
Music of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
and Puerto Rican patriotic songs.
Early years
Davilita was born in Bayamón, Puerto RicoBayamón, 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...
, his parents however, moved 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...
when he was only a child and settled down in East Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
which is also known as "Spanish Harlem
Spanish Harlem
East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio, is a section of Harlem in the northeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. East Harlem is one of the largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City. It includes the area formerly known as Italian Harlem, in which...
" or "El Barrio". Davilita learned to play the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
at a young age and entertained his family with his voice. One of the places which Davilita frequented was Hernandez Record Store in "El Barrio" which was a common gathering place for young Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
musicians at the time
Lamento Borincano
In 1929, 17 year old Davilita met by chance the renowned Puerto Rican composerComposer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, Rafael Hernández. Davilita got along with Hernandez and was able to see the unfinished version of Hernandez's composition "Lamento Borincano". Davilita asked Hernandez if he could record the song but, Hernandez thought that he was too young and declined his request. The song was to be recorded by Ramon "Canario" Quiroz with Davilita and Fausto Delgado as back-ups but fate had a different plan. Quiroz became ill on the day of the recording and Davilita ended up doing the recording as the lead voice.
Pedro Flores
Davilita became very popular in the New York Latin scene and was soon working with many Latin artists. It wasn't long before he met Pedro FloresPedro Flores (composer)
Pedro Flores born was one Puerto Rico's best known composers of Ballads and Boleros.-Early years:Flores was one of 12 children born into a poor family in the town of Naguabo, Puerto Rico. Flores' father died when he was only nine years old and therefore, he was forced to work at a young age...
, a fellow Puerto Rican and composer. He was asked by Flores to join his "Sexteto Flores" along with Myrta Silva
Myrta Silva
Myrta Silva was a Puerto Rican singer, composer and television producer. She was known affectionately as "La Gorda De Oro".-Early years:...
and Daniel Santos
Daniel Santos (singer)
Daniel Santos was a singer and composer of boleros, and an overall performer of multiple Caribbean music genres, including guaracha, plena and rumba...
. Davilita accepted and became the lead singer in many of Flores' boleros. He traveled to many countries with the sexteto.
Musical career
In 1954, Davilita had returned to Puerto Rico where he joined Felipe "La Voz" RodriguezFelipe Rodríguez
Luis Felipe Rodriguez, better known as Felipe "La Voz" Rodríguez, born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, was a singer of boleros. He is regarded as the most popular Puerto Rican male singer of the 1950s based on record sales and live audience records...
and together formed a duo. Even though Davilita's voice wasn't as sharp as when he was young, they were able to score many "hits". The duo was successful in Puerto Rico, the United States and Latin-America. In the 1960s, they together with Rafael Cortijo
Rafael Cortijo
Rafael Cortijo , was a Puerto Rican musician, orchestra leader, and composer.As a child, Cortijo became interested in Caribbean music and enjoyed the works of some of the era's most successful Plena music musicians...
and El Gran Combo
El Gran Combo
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, commonly known as El Gran Combo, is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra. It is Puerto Rico's most successful musical group, and one of the most popular salsa orchestras across Latin America...
were able to successfully confronted the wave of rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music invading the island. In 1973, Davilita and Felipe recorded "Canciones de Pedro Flores" (The Songs of Pedro Flores) and in 1974, they recorded "Canciones de Rafael Hernández" (The Songs of Rafael Hernández). Also in 1974, Davilita, Felipe and Pellin Rodríguez
Pellin Rodríguez
Pellín Rodríguez , was a Salsa singer. Rodríguez was a member of the musical group El Gran Combo and toured with them all over Europe and Latin America, gaining fame and popularity as a singer. In addition to his singing capabilities, Rodríguez had great comedic abilities and participated on...
(no relation to Felipe) recorded a trilogy
Trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, or video games...
which are considered Puerto Rican "classics". These were "La Protesta de los Reyes" (The Protest of the Wisemen), "Parranda parrandera" and "Navidad" (Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
).
Later years
Davilita was also a strong supporter of the cause for Puerto Rican independence. In many occasions, he stated, he was discriminated against for this reason, to the point of endangering his livelihood when the singing contracts trickled down during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He recorded an album of Puerto Rican patriotic standards with Daniel SantosDaniel Santos (singer)
Daniel Santos was a singer and composer of boleros, and an overall performer of multiple Caribbean music genres, including guaracha, plena and rumba...
(another strong pro-independence supporter) in the early 1970s, including "El Bambú" and "El Yunque y El Cordero". Pedro Ortiz "Davilita" Davila had recorded over 3,000 songs before his death in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on July 8, 1986. He is buried in the Braulio Dueño Colon
Braulio Dueño Colon
Braulio Dueño Colón was a Puerto Rican musician and composer.-Early years:Dueño was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At a young age Dueño's father, who also loved music, taught him the basics of music and served as his inspiration. Dueño took music classes with the "Maestro" Aruti, with whom he...
cemetery in Bayamón.