Irwin “Wito” Rodriguez was born in Chicago of Puerto Rican parents, and had his beginnings in the musical field as a singer and musician. During his teen years, he performed with a Rock and Roll band as a guitar player. In 1968, Wito decided to move to “La Isla Del Encanto” Puerto Rico, in order to search for his musical roots and experience the spicy sounds of his beloved Latin Rhythms. Wito returned to Chicago in 1971 to join “Orquesta La Justicia” a local band that opened shows for artists like Ismael Rivera, Ray Barreto, Willie Colon, El Gran Combo and the legendary Fania All Stars.
Like many young men at the time, in 1973 he decided to join the United States Army and was deployed to Europe. During his stay in Germany, Wito had singing lessons with Opera singer Barbara Sutton, and at the same time created two bands by the names of El Conjunto Sabor and La Sonora Antillana. These orchestras accompanied artists from the Salsa field like Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Tito Allen, Santitos Colon, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez and the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. What a Wonderful World or Que Mundo Maravilloso is his third album, released in January 2015. Although keeping busy in 2016 with live performances, a new album has also been produced and recorded between Venezuela, South America, and Orlando, Florida. The latest production named “Como El Viento” will be released in 2017. This album contains a compilation of songs recorded over the years in Europe that never made it to the western hemisphere. Wito Rodriguez is available for worldwide bookings at a venue near you!
