Artist:Ismael Quintana
Song:Mi Debilidad
Album:La Herencia
Singer Ismael Quintana is best known for his 70s stint recording and touring with The Fania All Stars. Mi Debilidad is his signature song. He was born June 3, 1937 in Ponce, Puerto Rico but he grew up in Bronx, NY. So Quintana is a Nuyorican. He had a band while in high school. Eddie Palmieri saw Quintana at an audition and he invited him to join his band La Perfecta. Quintana sang for Palmieri from 1961-73. Quintana was named Most Popular Latin Singer of the Year in New York in 1966. While still in Palmieri's band, Quintana recorded two albums for United Artists. In 1973 he signed with Fania's Vaya label and joined The Fania All Stars. Mi Debilidad is from the 1974 album Ismael Quintana. Quintana wrote that and some other songs on the album. He also produced with Fania owner Jerry Masucci. The song was arranged by bassist Bobby Valentin who led his own band. Other musicians were Mark Dimond from Willie Colon's band on piano, Vinnie Bell from Tito Puente's band on guitar, Barry Rogers and Lewis Kahn on trombone, Hector "Bomberito" Zarzuela and Luis Ortiz on trumpet, Orestes Vilato on bongos, Johnny Rodriguez on congas, Nicky Marrero on timbales and Harry Viggiano on tres which is a Cuban six string guitar. Veteran bandleader Johnny Pacheco was credited as musical director. Quintana performed Mi Debilidad during Fania All Stars shows and that's how it became his signature song. Quintana recorded four albums for Vaya which are covered by this comp available as a digital download. Quintana's health declined and he retired in the early 80s. His final recording was in 1983. He returned for a couple of Fania All Stars reunions but mostly he stayed retired. Ismael Quintana and his family moved to Colorado. He died on Apr. 16, 2016 at age 78. Here's Ismael Quintana performing Mi Debilidad from the 1976 film Salsa. The pianist featured in the video is Larry Harlow.
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