JJoossééJosé LLuuiissLuis AAyyaallaaAyalayyy ssuusu OOrrqquueessttaaOrquesta

~~JJoosséé~José LLuuiissLuis AAyyaallaa~~Ayala~

BBiiooggrraapphhyyBiography

José Luis Ayala (known to friends as Louie) was born on August 19th, 1946 in the eastern-central town of Juncos, Puerto Rico. His family migrated to New York City looking for work and a better future when he was only 11 years old. Upon their arrival, the family took up residence on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the neighborhood now called Loisaida. (where Luis continues to reside)

Having been exposed to the festive music of Puerto Rico by his uncles (they often played guitar and sang at family gatherings), Luis was bitten by the music bug at a young age. He recounts his early days with fond memory and vividly describes the joy of singing and playing guiro with his family and friends at many parrandas!

From the start, Luis had a deep passion for music and knew that he wanted to become a musician/singer. After moving to New York City, he picked up his first guitar and started practicing when he was about 14 or 15.

Although the family didn’t have a record player or any records at home (Luis says his family struggled humbly to survive in NYC), the Ayala apartment was always filled with the joyous sounds of AM radio. The family cherished their island’s music and would listen daily to the folkloric classics played on Radio WADO-AM (the music always brought them comforting memories of home). Luis admits that he learned the art of singing by listening to his favorite roots musicians on the Spanish-speaking station and lists el Jibarito de Lares, el Gallito de

Manatí and Daniel Santos as his main influences. Celos Sin Motivos and Plazos Tracioneros are two of Louie’s all-time favorite songs that were played frequently from Radio WADO’s rotation list. He says he continues to perform both tunes today because of that station’s impact.

While attending Seward Park High School, Luis met a kindred soul who enjoyed singing and was also interested in Boricua-Roots music (música de la mata). The two hit it off instantly and began vocalizing together to their favorite songs; this union became Luis’ first musical duo.

Shortly after, José Luis attended a family gathering where he met his future brother-in-law - Pepe González. Pepe introduced Luis to another musician friend who coincidentally had Ayala’s same first name, José Luis Cruz. Cruz was a talented singer whose vocal skills impressed the aspiring young Luis. They became close friends and at Luis’ invitation, Cruz joined the fledgling duo as its lead singer; together they became known as El Trío Yamboró and immediately took off on a new musical journey. Louie assumed the role of second voice/guitar as the trío gradually progressed and also enjoyed singing lead at their performances.

Yamboró’s repertoire consisted mostly of cover tunes by El Trío Vegabajeño, Los Panchos and Los Tres Aces as well as other popular acts of the day. They favored playing boleros but also performed varied rhythmic styles of music like guaracha, merengue, and guajira.

In the mid-to-late 60s, the trío started playing neighborhood social clubs with frequency. According to Luis, the musicians were paid $15 a night per gig for six-hours of work. (In those days it was customary to play 6 half-hour sets with limited breaks from dusk to dawn.) While playing one night, Ayala met a club patron who introduced himself as a self-proclaimed

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manager/promoter. The future would-be manager offered Luis the opportunity to get additional work if he was willing to expand the trío and change its repertoire to reflect a more “progressive” sound (i.e., modern guarachas, son montunos, etc.). Imagining the possibilities, the young Ayala seized the opportunity and restructured the trío to form his new quartet called “El Combo Swing”. The group, now consisting of guitar/bass, tres, timbales and vocals, began performing a more rhythmic repertoire. The simple change in tunes stirred up the public and made a big splash throughout Brooklyn’s social club scene. During that same period (1967), Luis and his wife, Milagros, were graced with their first child, Migdalia.

Around 1969, Luis became interested in writing songs and completed his first composition. This marked the beginning of his career as a composer.

In 1971, José Luis joined Manzano y su Conjunto as lead vocalist. Led by horn man Pedro Manzano, the conjunto consisted of seven musicians and featured the then en vogue two-trumpet sound. The well-known conjunto was a mainstay in the Brooklyn club circuit where they performed originals as well as popular cover tunes from an extensive repertoire.

In the period between 1972-74, Luis led a guitar-based quintet called Ayala y su Caribbean Boys It consisted of Luis on vocals, his friend Pico on guitar, a bass, bongocero and a conguero. During that same time, Luis’ first son, Joseph (Joey) Ayala, was born (November 8th, 1974). Joey was weaned on his father’s music and would follow in his dad’s footsteps by eventually joining Conjunto Abicú as its bongocero and corista. (He would record with his dad on two solo projects.)

Unlike Luis, Joey had access to an ample record collection at home and grew up listening to many of the greats including ‘Maelo and El Gran Combo. His father exposed the youngster to live music early bringing him to recording sessions and special gigs to share the experience. Joey frequented local dance halls with his dad like the Coop-Ballroom (where Louie’s group served as house band), and he got to meet members of some of his favorite orchestras like El Gran Combo

and Tommy Olivencia. Luis also provided Joey with the opportunity to pursue formal music training at the Boys’ Harbor Conservatory under the tutelage of celebrated percussionist George Delgado.

From 1973-75, Don Luis performed and traveled with Orquesta Monterey under the direction of Vitín Monterey.

In 1975, Luis joined Orquesta Ritmo Tropical where he shared vocal duties with colleagues Hector Casanova and Angelo Vallán for two years. During that time, he recorded one LP with the band titled Sube Un Poquito Mas.

Nineteen seventy-seven marked the year that José Luis reconnected with his childhood friends, Pipo Vélez and William Millán (all three were raised on the same East 7th Street block in

Loisaida). He joined el Conjunto Saoco and added his distinctive vocal style to the frontline teams of Henry Fiol and Ray Ramos. For the next 5 years he performed with the band at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Bond’s International Casino, the Corso, Casa Borinquen, the Village Gate and many others. During his tenure with Saoco, he recorded three LPs (contributing his original compositions to the productions) and traveled throughout the Caribbean, North and Central America.

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During those same years, Luis began his association with the legendary Puerto Rican tresista,

Mario Hernández. His collaboration with Mario produced a total of four LPs with Los Diablos

Del Caribe. Mario also made a guest appearance playing tres on Saoco’s final recording (El

Quinto) as a result of their friendship.

By 1981, José Luis was eager to form his band. He mapped out his strategy and put together Ayala y su Conjunto Abicú. After years of wood-shedding, he decided to release a CD.

Luis drafted his son Joey as co-pilot for the journey before recording his first solo album and together they worked on the production of the much-anticipated Siento CD. Upon completion, the recording was slated to come out on Kim Records but instead, after a false start due to contractual complications, it was released on Tiffany Records (1991-92).

In 2015, José Luis expanded his band and renamed it Ayala y su Orquesta. He added a trombone and baritone sax to the horns and augmenting the band’s sound by using a full percussion section.

In that same year, he began playing the electric bass on gigs and recordings. Unsatisfied with his stock instruments, he set out to design a custom bass. His passion for sound and relentless inquisitiveness led him to pursue bass construction and design as a new hobby.

At present, Luis continues to perform and freelance as both a featured vocalist and/or bassist with a host of artists. He has worked with a great number of performers including the Back Street Boys, José Mangual Jr., Ray Santiago, Lower East Salsa, Sergio Rivera, Cachi Vélez y su Nuevo Saoco, Danny “El Mago” Franklin, William Millán, Hector Martignon, Chembo Cornielle, Jr. Rivera y Son de Caney and is a featured member in the new charanga sensation - Son Del Monte (directed by Manuel Rivera).

Recorded Compositions by José Luis Ayala…Pobre Nicolás Papá Montero (William Millán y Saoco)No Abandones Tus Hijos* El Quinto (William Millán y Saoco)El Juicio Final* Siento (Ayala y su Grupo)El Regalo De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)Juntos Tu Y Yo De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)Puertorro De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)Vete Ya De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)La Cinturita De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)The Two of Us De Todo Un Poco (Ayala y su Grupo Somos Seis)

(*with J.L. Cruz)

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DDiissccooggrraapphhyyDiscography

En Algo Sabroso ............................................................... Rafael Batista y su OrquestaPensando En Ti ................................................................. Rafael Batista y su OrquestaPara Gozar Candela ................................................... Sexteto Borinquen-El AuténticoSube Un Poquito Mas ........................................................................ La Ritmo TropicalCon Salsa Si,,, Me Gusta! ........................... Mario Hernández y Conjunto BorinquenPaso La Vida Pensando ............................. Mario Hernández y los Diablos del CaribeCielo Tenebroso ......................................... Mario Hernández y los Diablos del CaribeCuraré ........................................................................ William Millán Y Saoco OriginalPapá Montero ........................................................................... William Millán Y SaocoEl Quinto ................................................................................... William Millán Y SaocoDe Todo Un Poco ............................................................. Ayala y su Grupo Somos SeisSiento .................................................................................................... Ayala y su Grupo Y Todavía Te Quiero .......................................................................... Ayala y su GrupoLas Olas ........................................................................................... Ayala y su Orquesta

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Recordings…

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For additional information and bookings please contact:

José Luis Ayala via E-mail at: abicu3547@gmail.com

Also, visit Luis Ayala on FACEBOOK at …

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1135223006

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