Wilfredo José Chirino Rodríguez

Artistically known as Willy Chirino, he began his career as a singer, composer, and music producer starting in the 1970s.

Willy Chirino was born in Consolación de Sur, Pinar del Río. Son of Ana Josefa Rodríguez de Chirino and Wifredo Chirino Llorens.

Willy arrived in Miami as a child through the Pedro Pan operation. His greatest musical education as a child came from his neighborhood, where he would gather daily with his friends, employees of the bakery, almost all Black, who would draw out rumba melodies from bread boxes. There he also specialized in playing "the pans."

Considered one of the creators of the Miami Sound (a special fusion of Cuban music, rock, jazz, Brazilian and Caribbean rhythms), he has developed his entire career in the United States, but his music has had strong resonance both in Cuba and throughout the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.

At fourteen years old and later with his family, they settled in Miami.

In 1962 he formed a rock band with his school classmates called "The Whailers," and they played everywhere in search of experience and success. But Willy Chirino, always in a hurry to advance, found himself at 16 years old in New York, working with Julio Gutierrez, Tito Puente and other renowned musicians, in his effort to polish and create his own style.

Since his first long-playing record in 1974, his recordings have been popular. Soy, Maria Magdalena, Colgando de un Hilito, Zarabanda, Artista Famoso and Tipo Tipico are only some of his hits. He has recorded more than a dozen long-playing albums and his defined and unmistakable style, a mixture of American rhythms with Cuban flavor and Brazilian influence, has achieved an evolution in music. He later moved to New York and worked there with Julio Gutiérrez, Tito Puente and other renowned musicians.

His recording career began in 1976 with the recording of his first album: One Man Alone. He has recorded a total of 20 albums, remaining active to date.

Recognized with several Grammy awards and with an extensive discography, many of his compositions have been recorded by other artists: Celia Cruz, Óscar D'León, Vicky Carr, Ángela Carrasco, Gipsy Kings, Dyango, Raphael ("Escándalo"), Ricardo Montaner, etc.

He has produced albums for Celia Cruz, Óscar D'León, Raphael, Rocío Jurado, Jorge Muñíz, Magneto, etc.

Among his hits: "Los Campeones De La Salsa", "Soy Guajiro", "Mía Por Siempre", "Nuestro Día (Ya Viene Llegando)", "Los Diseñadores", "La Jinetera", "Bongó", "Gracias Por La Música", "Oxígeno", "Rumbera", "La Noche Perfecta", "Un Artista Famoso", "Soy", etc.

Since 1997, he has owned his own record label, Latinum Music, Inc., after having been contracted by CBS and later by Sony Music. He also directs the Willy Chirino Foundation, for charitable purposes.

He is currently married to singer Lissette Álvarez with whom he has three children: Nicole, Alana, and Gianfranco. Together with her he has also recorded duet songs.

In 2011 he released My Beatles Heart to the market, a tribute album to the Liverpool band.

With over a hundred compositions to his credit, his songs are in constant demand by artists of recognized international fame. Among his interpreters are the Gypsy Kings, Vicki Carr, Rafael, Lissette, Dyango, Rocio Jurado, Ricardo Montaner, Charytín, Angela Carrasco, Magneto, Franco, Jorge Muñíz, Celia Cruz, Oscar de Leon and many more.

One song in particular, "Soy", has been recorded by dozens of artists throughout the world, in more than five languages. While "Nuestro Dia Viene Llegando", an autobiographical song that describes the process of a child beginning his life abroad 90 miles from his country of origin, moves fellow countrymen as well as Latin American emigrants or exiles equally.

As a producer, he not only records his own albums, but also material for figures of the caliber of Celia Cruz, Oscar de León, Rafael, Rocio Jurado, Jorge Muñíz, Magneto, etc. Many important stars from the world of song are currently requesting his expertise in that important field.

Chirino has also written and sung the theme song for 3 telenovelas: "La Zulianta", "Pobre Diabla" and "Laura Virginia".

Willy Chirino is a simple, friendly and jovial man. He is married to the renowned performer and composer Lissette, who has 28 albums to her credit and a solid career in the world of music. From that union there are three children: Nicolle, Alana and Gianfranco, and from his previous marriage Willy has three other daughters: Angie, Olgui Mari and Jessica.

Throughout his career, Chirino has not only obtained awards, nominations, gold records, and recognition, and has been king of the Miami Carnival and even an important artery of the "City of the Sun" is called "Willy Chirino Way", but he has also won the hearts of all who know him and has become a paladin of his own people. Through the foundation that bears his name, Willy Chirino has dedicated himself to helping the Cuban diaspora in any corner of the world.

Discography

Willy Chirino
1974-One Man Alone
1975-Chirino
1976-Chirino 3
1977-Who Saved the City?
1978-Evolution
1979-Come Into My Music
1980-Different
1981-Salsa and I
1982-Chirinísimo
1985-Rising
1982-14 Hits
1985-Zarabanda
1988-Loving You
1989-What's For You
1990-Caribbean Watercolor
1991-Oxygen
1992-A Typical Guy and His Hits
1992-My First Hits
1993-South Beach
1994-Gold Salsa: 20 Hits
1994-Brilliant
1995-Asere
1996-Tropical Anthology
1997-Dance With Me
1997-Gold Salsa: 10 Hits Vol. 1
1998-Gold Salsa: 10 Hits Vol. 2
1998-Cuba Libre
1999-20th Anniversary
2000-Greatest Hits
2000-Soy
2001-Afro-Disiac
2002-15 Hits
2003-Tropical Blue Series
2004-Son del Alma
2005-Cubanísimo
2005-20 Original Hits
2006-Live: 35th Anniversary
2007-Amarraditos (with Lissette)
2007-The Essential
2007-Collection Treasures
2008-Forward
2008-Great Hits Live
2011-My Beatles Heart
2011-My Favorites
2012-Christmas Arrived
2013-Soy... I Am: Mis Canciones - My Songs
2014-Platinum Series
2018-Christmas With Family (with Lissette)