Melina Almodovar - Latin Salsa Singer Miami
language: EN ES
Melina Almodovar was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 3rd 1979 . Born into a highly artistic family she was encouraged from very early age to love music and everything that had to do with putting on shows and dancing. She would put on shows for her family in the living room of her grandmother's home . Melina's grandfather on her father's side was Hector "El Colorao" Almodovar the host of the famous Puerto Rican radio show "La Revista Sabatina" where he would interview up and coming artists and help countless artist achieve their dreams. Her father Jose Luis, was a singer in Puerto Rico. He fueled Melina's love of music by introducing her to artist such as Marco Antonio Munis, José José, Gilbeto Monroig , Danny Rivera and many others. Melina's mother before becoming a doctor was a Flamenco dancer performing professionally for many years.

After her father's death in Puerto Rico, Melina's mother decided to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee when Melina was only twelve years old. This changed the course of her life forever opening the doors of American music to her. Memphis is a city full of culture and music. Many of music's greatest artists have come from Memphis including Elvis Presley, Al Green, Justin Timberlake, the Staple Singers, among countless others. Here Melina joined local bands in her teens playing all over Memphis. She sang from rock to soul to gospel, everything she could get her hands on. Soon she got an offer she could not refuse she was asked to front the first Salsa band to come out of the south of the USA, Orquesta Caliente . In the next three years Caliente became one of the best bands in the local scene getting nominated for numerous awards like the 2001 Memphis NARAS chapter Premier Player Awards for best band and best new artist for Melina. Soon Melina decided to pursue a career in Tropical music being more interested in making tropical music so she moved to Puerto Rico to gain more experience. There she recorded her first full length cd, Rumba's SalsaSoul Delight . This record displays Melina's upbringing from traditional latin rhythms to soul oriented pieces fussing tropical with soul and R&B.

After her stay in Puerto Rico Melina decided to return to Memphis briefly touring the south supporting her record. In the process she met Ramses Arraya the percussionist for Ruben Blades's Grammy nominated band Editus. Ramses and Ruben where playing a show in Atlanta, Georgia and Melina just happened to be in the audience. After the performance she met up with the band and became fast friends with Ramses. In the year that followed Ramses shared with Melina the idea of producing a record with his band back in Costa Rica that would star different vocalists one of them being Ruben Blades . Ramses offered Melina a spot on that record singing a traditional rumba called "Yo Soy La Rumba". Melina traveled to Miami to record the vocals of this song . She fell in love with Miami and at this point moved to the city to further her career in tropical music. The record came out to rave reviews and opened many doors for Melina in Miami.

Since her move she has been performing all over Miami and has become one of the best vocalist and performers in the city. Singing on records for top stars as well as singing backgrounds for Tito Nieves , Olga Tanon , Miriam Hernandez, Lucero, Cristian Castro and many others She is now in the process of recording her third album. In August of 2007 Melina performed along side the Fania All Star band with Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago and Tito Allen. On november 18th 2007 . Melina will fullfill a life long dream to perform along side La Sonora Poncena and Tommy Olivencia's band at the 7th annual Fiestas Patrnales sponsored by La Kalle 98.4 for more info go to www.prfiestas.com