Edwin N. Perez
Edwin N. Perez is an American vocalist singer songwriter, bandleader, composer and producer of Puerto Rican heritage. He is also called La Voz del Pueblo, literally translated ‘The Voice of the People’, a name given to him by his fans. Throughout his career as a vocalist, he has sung a wide variety of Latin music styles. Perez vocal talents have been featured in movies such as "16 Blocks" (2006) the salsa movie The Big Shot Caller (2008) , fitness dance video "ZIN 33" for Zumba Fitness, television show So You Think You Can Dance Canada,[1] Monday Night Football on NBC, a live concert performance broadcast on the BBC with a partnership with PBS, international & national radio plus multiple digital media platforms.
Edwin N. Perez | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 17, 1975 New York City, New York, US |
| Genres | salsa, salsa dura, son cubano |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, percussion |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Labels | Homerun Records, Salsa Dura Entertainment, Caliente Productions, Handle With Care Productions |
| Associated acts | Orquesta SCC, La Excelencia, Los Calientes del Son, Enrique Lopez |
Life and career
Early years & Cuban Music
Edwin started his career in music as a child, growing up in hi native Caguas, Puerto Rico singing in his parent's church choir and soloing at the tender age of 4. Although he never gave up music, learning to play the guitar as a teenager and singing and touring with his high school and church simultaneously, his real encounter with destiny happened when he met Enrique Lopez who had a Cuban music ensamble, and Enrique convinced him to take his musical talent to another level by working with his group, which Edwin reluctantly accepted. Perez would perform all over New York Cities Cuban music scene and mingle with the who's who of the time.
Beginnings of Salsa Dura
Around 2003, Edwin Perez was introduced to Jose Vazquez-Cofresi by a co-worker at ESPN/ABC Television. Vazquez-Cofresi had a band named Los Calientes del Son aka Los Calientes that was shelved by Universal records who was going in the direction of reggaeton.[2] Perez would become one of the lead vocalist for 'Los Calientes' until the bands end in 2005. Around the same year, Perez would assist Vazquez-Cofresi by helping form and create a new band known as La Excelencia. The band would eventually record three albums that would give the group national and international success.[3] By 2012, La Excelencia ended, but Perez had other plans and spoke to Vazquez-Cofresi about reorganizing another band out of the former members of La Excelencia.
The Rebirth
In 2013, Perez and Vazquez-Cofresi founded Orquesta SCC. The band would tour extensively in the United States and abroad plus release its first album named Renacimiento produced by Perez.[4][5] By 2014, the band would release a free DVD named *Orquesta SCC (2014). Los Reyes De La Salsa Dura [The Kings of Salsa Dura]..[4][5] In 2015, the band would release No Puedo Respirara song composed by Perez. Orquesta SCC still continues to perform and is owned by Edwin Perez.
Present Solo Project
In 2017, Edwin released his first solo album; 'La Voz del Pueblo'. The album was released under Perez own label, Homerun Music. With the big response Perez received from his first album he decided to go back in the studio in 2019. At the beginning of 2020, Perez released his second solo album; 'Street Corner Chronicles'. The album has already received national and international recognition and a world tour was lined up. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 epidemic the world tour has been postponed till 2021.
References
- "ZIN 33 by Zumba Fitness" (PDF). S3.amazonws.com.
- Huffman, Eddie. "National Folk Festival: Orquesta SCC brings high-energy, percussion-driven Latin jazz". Greensboro.com.
- Rohter, Larry (14 July 2010). "La Excelencia, Salsa With Social Commentary - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- "Biography". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013.
- "Review: Orquesta SCC (Salsa Con Concencia) "Yo Los Invito A Gozar"". Newgensalsa.com. October 18, 2013.