Orlando Vallejo

Cuban bolero singer who was born discographically, together with the Conjunto Casino, in the studios on San Miguel Street in Havana, Cuba in the 1950s.

He was born in Arroyo Naranjo. He grew up in the town of Santiago de Las Vegas, where he began singing tangos in the popular theater and as a vocalist for the Ritmo Alegre orchestra.

He later moved to the Sexteto Progreso. He subsequently appeared in the orchestras Paulín, Quintana Melody Boys, Habana Casino, and in the ensembles Kuvavana and Casino, until becoming a soloist.

He was heard on radio, television, and nightclubs, and recorded various long-playing records. He is one of the greatest bolero singers that Cuba has ever produced.

In various records from that time, recorded by very different groups such as the Guaracheros de Oriente, the Orquesta América and the Conjuntos Kubavana, by Adalberto Ruiz, and the one led by Ernesto Grenet, the voice of Vallejo appears, credited or not on the labels.

Despite his limited vocal power and given his singular vocal qualities, Orlando Vallejo allowed himself the luxury of emitting high notes that were practically unrepeatable; in this way he made difficult choruses for Roberto Faz.

In 1951, Vallejo is called by Roberto Espí, singer and director of the famous Conjunto Casino, to fill the position left by guitarist and composer Agustín Ribot and to record the boleros "Cielo y sol" and "Dudas de mí", which later became national hits.

Between 1951 and late 1952, he recorded around thirty sides between 78 and 45 rpm records. Songs such as "Dudas de mí", "Inteligentemente", recorded in 1951 and February 1952 respectively; "Yo estoy triste", recorded on May 28, 1952; and "Perdido amor", by Portillo de la Luz, recorded in September 1952; launched him vertiginously to stardom. This is why the first LP that Panart produced for the Conjunto Casino (LP-312) in 1952 was very well received.

In 1953, he began his meteoric career as a soloist and recorded dozens and dozens of records, mainly boleros and guajiras, which achieved unusual popularity.

During his performances on Radio Progreso, Orlando Vallejo sang repeatedly accompanied by the Orquesta Aragón, in arrangements conceived by flutist Richard Egües. In the sixties, Vallejo travels to the United States and settles there until his death.

In 1965 he settled in Miami, where he continued singing and recording very popular boleros.

Works
"Qué esperas", song by Mexican Luis Demetrio, recorded with the Orquesta Aragón.
"Cielo y sol", recorded in February 1951, with the Conjunto Casino.
"Dudas de mi", recorded in February 1952, with the Conjunto Casino.
"Inteligentemente", recorded in February 1952, with the Conjunto Casino.
"Yo estoy triste", recorded on May 28, 1952, with the Conjunto Casino.
"Perdido amor", by César Portillo de la Luz, recorded in September 1952.