They Pretty Boy of Salsa

Astrid Pizarro

Nov. 16, 2011

Group 1

            Ismael Miranda is known as the Pretty Boy of Salsa however he is an example of how dreams do come true. He was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and as a child he always wanted to be a musician.

His interest in music led him to form two groups, “The 4J’s and Little Junior” and “The Class Mates.”  “My career started when I was thirteen years old with different musical groups,” Miranda said.

            At the age of seventeen, he made his first recording with a song called, “Let’s Ball” with Joey Pastrana. For Miranda, it is an accomplishment, “My first recording at the age of seventeen because it is not common in the genre.” He left a good impression on the band’s leader, Larry Harlow that he was recruited as his lead singer.

“At nineteen being part of the most influential and important musical organizations of salsa music ‘La Fania,’” is what Miranda considers a big step in his musical career. Fania All Stars toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America as well.

His wife Janice Battle stated, “I admire that he maintains his voice intact and gives it his all in each concert as if it was his first.” Battle mentioned that she was a fan before she even got married to Ismael.

Miranda has traveled in different parts of the worlds like Japan, Africa, and even Germany. When it came to visiting these amazing places with his music, Ismael felt “Their acceptance was amazing, not only did it surprise me that they liked my music but that they were singing along and knew the lyrics.”

Ismael has had a wonderful career including eighty seven productions. He believes the key behind his success has been learning how to respect and love the audience. “This helps me prepare to give them the best,” Miranda said.

“He’s wonderful to work with and he is a very humble person,” said Joydi Michelle who has worked and interviewed Ismael Miranda. His humility is one of the things that makes him stand out.

Ismael Miranda is truly an example of how dreams come true and expand further than we can imagine. He always wanted to be a musician and accomplished it with tremendous success.