Choco Orta la reina del sabor - cantante de Puerto Rico - TT: Choco Orta queen of salsa - TA: singer from Puerto Rico - Entrevista

Latin Beat Magazine, June, 2001 by Rudy Mangual

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A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Virgen Milagros Orta Rodríguez (artistically known as Choco Orta for her beautiful chocolate skin) has born on November 28 to Tomás Orta Abad of Santurce, and Andrea Rodríguez Rivera of Humacao, Puerto Rico. Ms. Orta graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico, earning a Bachelor's Degree in theater education.

Orta initiated a career in show business in 1979, by performing comedy and singing acts with renowned Puerto Rican actor Antonio Pantojas. She continued her career with theatrical presentations, which included The True Story of Pedro Navaja, Vejigantes, and Las Bohemias (a play with a cast of seven women).

As a dancer, Orta studied with several well-known Puerto Rican dance instructors such as José "Junito" Betancourt, Sarita Ayala and Ita Medina. Her vocal skills and training were perfected under the private supervision of professors Fonseca and Darisabel Isales. Her knowledge of music theory and solfeggio she accredits to her years of study at the Puerto Rican Conservatory of Music. But it is her passion, her devotion and appreciation of Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments and rhythms, which sets this multi-talented artist apart from most other performers. She brilliantly integrates exciting conga solos in her nightclub and concert performances, a thrill to watch "live."

During 1996/97 she recorded her debut CD, Sentimientos y Sabor, with the aid of veteran salsa producer Julio "Gunda" Merced for the Musical Productions record label in Puerto Rico although it was not released until 1998. The production showcased Choco's skills as a vocalist and percussionist, earning her critical acclaim in the Dominican Republic, New York City, Chicago and Miami.

In 1998, Orta was invited as the Puerto Rican Ambassador to the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Tampa, Florida. The same year she would win the Paoli Award as the Best Latin Female Salsa Singer of 1998, and the following year she would be awarded the Premio Farandula for best female salsa singer as well. During the 1999 Puerto Rican Day Parade celebration in New York City, Choco performed with the Tito Puente Orchestra. During this performance, Tito Puente (El Rey del Timbal) proclaimed Choco Orta "La Reina del Sabor" (The Queen of Latin Swing) for her dynamic and soulful performance. By the end of the nineties she would start to conquer fans in Colombia with her first visit to that country.

Just recently, Orta released her second CD titled appropriately, La Reina del Sabor. The success of the single Que Pague from this new production as well as other tracks, are keeping the flavor of Choco's music and sound alive throughout the airwaves of Puerto Rico and other major cities in the U.S. and abroad. Choco's music has been described by many as "the flavor of the Caribbean woman expressed through the contagious beats of salsa rhythms."

She confesses that as a woman in the "salsa music world of the boys" she's had to endure much to stay afloat in this business, from stereotypes to plain artistic jealousy. Her strong body, mind and personality make her as tough as any of the guys on or off the stage, but she is 100% woman, living her dream and accomplishing her goal to succeed. Together with a love and passion for the rhythms of the Caribbean, Orta appreciates and respects all music and cultures. Her vocal influences include singers Celeste Mendoza, Barbra Streisand, Benny Moré and Cheo Feliciano. The recent 2000 Christmas concert in Puerto Rico was the highlight of her career, she says, when she shared the stage with the legendary group El Gran Combo and her favorite contemporary salsa singer, Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Experience one of the most exciting and versatile performers in Latin music today, Choco Orta.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Latin Beat Magazine

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