More Musicians of the Dominican Republic

Monumento Santiago Dom.Rep.
Photo by danny164l

The Dominican Republic is often overlooked when considering Latin American countries renowned for their music. However, it is home to many talented individuals who have achieved global recognition for their skills. Some have left their native country and traveled to the US or Spain in search of fame, while others have chosen to remain on the small Caribbean island and nurture their craft. Let’s take a look at two musicians who proudly call the Dominican Republic their home.

Juan Francisco Ordonez, born in 1961 in Santo Domingo, is a remarkable talent. While he earned a degree in economics from a college in Santo Domingo, he had always pursued his passion for guitar on the side. Juan received formal training in music composition at the Dominican National Conservatory and later joined the folk group Convite. However, he found his true calling as the lead guitarist for Transporte Urbano and remained with the band for over 25 years. During their extensive career, the band toured the world and even performed in the former USSR.

Apart from his involvement with the band, Juan collaborated on fusion projects with other musicians and eventually formed his own Caribbean trio called Trilogia. He has developed a unique sound that incorporates elements of blues, rock, and jazz, culminating in the popular guitar genre known as bachata. For this reason, he is widely regarded as the father of bachata.

Aisha Syed Castro, born in 1989 in Santiago, Dominican Republic, is a prodigious talent in the world of classical music. At the age of four, Aisha began studying the violin Play the Violin - A Whole Novice's Guide - The violin, also known as a fiddle, is a bowed string instrument. It has four strings that are tuned in perfect fifths. The violin is the smallest and highest pitched member of the string instrument family, which also includes violas and cellos. Although playing the violin can be quite challenging, when mastered, it produces a… and flute under the guidance of the internationally acclaimed professor Henry Disla. By the time she was six, she had become a member of the Children’s Symphony Orchestra. At eleven, she performed a solo piece with the National Symphony Orchestra and attended a violin symposium at the Juilliard School in New York.

Aisha holds the distinction of being the first Latin American individual accepted into the Yehudi Menuhin School in London B52 - Wade Crawley is back with a great B52 concert review! If you remember, Wade wrote for us Punk music in the late seventies. Now read his new exclusive article for ManuelMarino.com! The B52’s, London Roundhouse It was on a hot and very sweaty summer night in London’s trendy Camden and a packed audience of all… , where she earned a scholarship due to her exceptional abilities. Despite her young age of 22, Aisha has performed all over the world, captivating audiences that include global heads of state and highly respected musicians. Clearly, this talented young woman has a bright future in music, despite her humble origins in the Dominican Republic.

These two individuals serve as outstanding representatives of the abundant talent in the Dominican Republic, encompassing both folk and classical music genres. One has embraced the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean, while the other has found a deep appreciation for the soothing melodies of the classical repertoire. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see both of them share the same stage and create an entirely new sound?

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME