Biography

1954 Alfredo De La Fé was born in Cuba on February 6, descendant from musicians that had his own name. He started studying violin at the age of seven in the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana. Two years later, he wins an schoolardship to study in the conservatory of Warsaw in Poland.

1965 Moves to New York and performed the Medelssohn and Tchaikovski violin concertos at Carnegie Hall. That event won him an other scholarship to Julliard Arts. The same year he started to play at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

1966 Becomes part of José Fajardo's orchestra.(Fajardo is considered The best flute player in the world of salsa and Cuban music) changing from the classical to the salsa field. His career starts to ascend through great Salsa stars such as: Celia Cruz (his godmother)

1972 Meets Eddie Palmieri becoming the first solo violinist in the salsa field. He then adds electronics to his violin. Cheo Feliciano, Hector Lavoe, Fania All Stars, Ismael Miranda, among others.

1976 Moves to San Francisco to form part of Carlos Santana's group.

1977 He returns to New York and begings to play with Tipica 73, the best band that salsa had in those days.

1979 Records first solo album entitled " ALFREDO " LP Ventures wich was nominated for three grammy awards. The song " Hot to trot " from the same album reached the top 100's list in the United States.He plays with jazz artists such as: Dizzie Gillespi, David Amram, Chick Corea, Larry Coryel, etc. Becomes part of the SAR All Stars and produces for that lable 40 LP's for artists such as: Roberto Torres, Papaito, Henry Fiol, Charanga 76, etc.

1980 He joints the " Tito Puente's Latin Jazz Ensamble '" as musical director and travel through Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. They also participate in the most important jazz festivals in the world.1981 He records two albums: " Para Africa con amor '" and " Charanga 1980" Sacodis Records.

1982 Form his own group and records " Triunfo " Toboga Records. That album was number two in salsa sales and two songs from that album are still played on the air today: " Somos los reyes del mundo " and " Oyelo Tocar ".

1983 He is contracted to play in Colombia for three weeks and decides to live in that beautiful country.

1984 Records an album title: " Made in Colombia " Phillips Records with hits like: " La botija de abuelito " and " Te necesito ".

1985 Records " Alfredo De La Fé Vallenato " Phillips Records ( with diferent stars from that folklore).

1988 Records " Dancing in the tropics " Phillips Records with hits like: " Acuyuyé " and " The N.Y. of Colombia'"dedicated to the city of Medellin.

1990 Signs with Fuentes Records and records two L P's: " Salsa " and " " Los Violines de Alfredo De La Fé " wich is an instrumental album whith some of the best songs of the vast Cuban repertoire.

1991 Makes European tour with his own group and plays in Geneve, Paris and Rome where he rejoins with Eddie Palmieri. Records " Salsa y Charanga " with hit songs like: " Tendras que llorar " y " America Cantemos " song that was made to conmemorate the 500 years of the discovery of America. That same year he participates as a musician and an actor in the most popular t v soap opera in South America: "Azucar".

1992 Obtains the Colombian citizenship and is selected, by President " Cesar Gaviria ", to represent Colombia at Expo 92 in Seville, Spain. He records Volume 2 of " The Violins of Alfredo De La Fé " titled " Sentir de Cuba ".

1993 Records " Con Toda la Salsa ", considered his best musical work to date. This album includes: " Excelente Amante "and Sal" Historia de Dos salseros " in tribute to salsa's greatest, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz. Travels to Ecuador to represent Colombia in the Telethon for Homeless Children".

1994 Makes tour though Europe in February Visiting this time Germany, France and Italy and obtaining a big success on television, radio, press and concerts. In March he visits Venezuela, Martinique, Guadaloupe and Cayenne. In the month of November he returns to Europe and Makes presentations in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and in former Yugoslavia, showing that he still is one of the first salsa artist in the Word.

1995 Writes the music and works as an actor in the serial " MAMBO ". Makes summer tour through Europe playing some of the most important Jazz Festivals. Plays in the PROMOTON for drugs rehabilitation in the city of PANAMA. Three of of the songs from his reasent production " THE SALSA OF THE GODS " are on the first ten list of that country.

1996 Ralph Mercado and Jerry Massucci contract Alfredo to form part of the " Fania All Stars "Receives offerts to record with the Fania, RMM, and MP Lables.Makes the music for the colombian TV Series " Otra en Mi "

1997 Records with "Fania All Stars" and "Papo Lucca and The Cuban Jazz All Stars" in Havana Cuba in the month of January. Co produces "The National Synfonic Band" of colombia next to the maestro Francisco Zumaqué in February. Tours with "El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda and Junior Gonzalez in April. Signs with Sony Music in the same month.

1998 Plays with his group, in some of the most important Festivals in Europe. Becomes part of Larry Harlow and The Latin Legends.

1999 Tours with his group participating in Festivals like: Roskilde in Denmark, Roots in Holland, The Defense Jazz Festival in Paris, Istambul Festival in Turquia, Sfinks in Belgica, Euro Disney in Paris. Himself reencuentra with Eddie Palmieri for its rotates European and participates like invited artist with Israel Lopez (Cachao), Willie Colón, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, and José Alberto (El Canario). It accompanies Cheo Feliciano on European tour.

2000 Records a CD titled "LATITUDES" under the Ryko latino label. It accompanies Celia Cruz with his orchestra in "The Dance of the Rose" event of great importance in the world made each year for the Grace Kelley foundation by the Principado of Monaco. Travels to Cancún, Mexico with Oscar D'Lion, José Alberto "El Canario" and Millie Puente.

2001 Plays at the World famouss event Pavarotti and Friends for the children of Afganistan and directs orchestra for that event as Celia cruz's musical director. Makes tour with his band and acompanies, with the same Band Celia cruz on her european tour. Forms the "New york Salsa All Stars" together with musicans like Giovanni Hidalgo, Dave valentin, José Alberto "El Canario", and Jimmy Bosch and tours with that group.

2002 Record Latin Pop CD that will be on the market soon. Plays in Portugal with his band. Makes summer tour, again as Celia Cruz musical director and with the New york Salsa All Stars Will go to Montreal Canada for the Festival Nuits d'Afrique as invited guess for Fodé Kouyaté (singer from Guinea, Africa). On the month of August will move back to New York City.