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LEAVITT, Raphy

(b 17 Sept. '48, Puerta De Tierra, San Juan, Puerto Rico) Salsa bandleader, pianist, arranger, composer, producer. Organized first band Los Se¤oriales during his early teens; formed La Banda Latina '66; graduated in commercial administration from U of PR, taught commerce at San Agustin College, Puerta De Tierra (his own old school). Founded Orquesta La Selecta '71 (comprising trombones/trumpets frontline, Latin rhythm section, lead and chorus voices); made nine albums on Borinquen: Payaso '71, Mi Barrio '72, Jibaro Soy '73 (Leavitt's title track was an international hit, earned him 'Composer of the Year' award), Herido '74, A Recorded Inferno '75, De Frente A La Vida ... Facing Life '76 (incl. gold disc winning international hit single 'El Buen Pastor'), Con Sabor A Tierra Adentro '77, Raphy Leavitt La Selecta Orchestra '78 (future solo hit-maker Tony Vega sang lead vocals on half the album) and Soledad '79. He was badly injured in an accident with the band on the Connecticut Turnpike, trumpeter Luisito Maisonet was killed; Leavitt's award-winning 'La Cuna Blanca' (incl. in Jibaro Soy '73), a tribute to Maisonet's memory, was a hit all over the Latin markets. Switched to TH (Top Hits) for three albums: Raphy Leavitt y La Selecta '81, 10 A¤os '82 and Siempre Alegre '83; then to Bobby Valentin's Bronco label for Somos El Son '86 (half arranged by Isidro Infante) and Se Solicita Un Cari¤o '88 (all arr. by Infante); won Far ndula magazine Diplo award for 'Band of the Year' '87. Album Provocame! '90 (most arrs. by Infante) on his own RL Records label entered the Billboard tropical/salsa chart. Switched to Frama for 20 Aniversario de La Selecta '92 (Infante arr. two tracks and shared mus. dir. credit), which spawned hit 'Nunca Cambies'. La Selecta founder member Sammy Marrero (b Coamo, PR; began with orchestras of Fernando Ojeda and Osvaldo Valentin) has sung lead vocals on all the band's albums '71--92; Carlitos Ramirez (b Bayamon, PR) joined as co-lead '81 and young Osvaldo Diaz (b Arecibo, PR) was added for a trio of lead vocalists on '88--92 albums.