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Salsero of the month

Watussi: La Voz Brava que Nació en Caracas y Rugió en Nueva York

ORLANDO WATUSSI

A Living Chronicle of Salsa

Our salsero of the month for March 2026 possesses a distinctive raspy voice and an unmistakable style for “soneo.” Orlando José Castillo, known worldwide as Orlando Watussi, is one of those Venezuelan artists whose career is intertwined with the very history of hard salsa.

By: Sergio A. Rendón Ángel
For: www.latinastereo.com
Medellín, Colombia, march 2026.

March 23, 1949, in the small town of Marín, in Yaracuy state, Venezuela. His life changed when his family moved to the popular parish of La Pastora, in Caracas. It was there, captivated by the descarga of the greats, that he found his artistic identity: the famous track by percussionist Ray Barretto inspired him to adopt the nickname “Watussi,” the name under which he would sign more than four decades of musical legacy.

His musical journey began in 1969, within the dynamic circuit of bands in Caracas. Watussi honed his craft as a singer in key groups of the local scene: from Los Excitantes and the Sexteto Monterola led by Alexis Monterola, to Príncipe y su Sexteto and Los Satélites de Cheché Mendoza. He later joined the orchestra of Porfi Jiménez. He was a founding member and later director of La Renovación, and also performed with Federico y su Combo Latino, before closing his early stage in Venezuela with a brief stint in La Salsa Mayor. However, his true international breakthrough was yet to come.

In 1976, Watussi made the definitive leap to the mecca of salsa: Puerto Rico and New York. His first major milestone was joining the legendary Rafael Cortijo, with whom he traveled to the island. Although his collaboration with Cortijo was ultimately consolidated in New York, his time in Puerto Rico brought him a golden opportunity: singing with the orchestra of renowned bassist Bobby Valentín. Already in the Big Apple, Watussi became part of Cortijo’s Combo and turned into a sought-after freelance artist, sharing stages and recording sessions with giants such as Kako Bastar, Joe Cuba, and Larry Harlow. In Típica 73, he worked alongside figures like Tito Allen, solidifying his place as a heavyweight sonero in the city.

The year 1981 marked the beginning of his solo career, through which he would achieve great popularity in salsa. Alongside percussionist José Mangual Jr., Watussi released the album “Ustedes mi rumba y Yo”, and the following year “Échale… Watusi! Ya Me Voy”, which included the song “Las Calaveras” (mistakenly credited to Lisandro Meza, although its composer is Colombian singer Elvis Botero).

For years now, Orlando Watussi has resided in Milan, Italy, from where he continues his legacy as an ambassador of salsa. Balancing his life between Europe and Venezuela, the “Latin King” maintains an active concert schedule in countries such as Germany, Spain, and France. He visited Medellín as part of the Latina All Stars during Latina Stereo’s 37th anniversary in 2022. His story is not just that of a singer, but of a musical chronicler who, from the neighborhoods of Caracas to the stages of New York and Europe, has carried the flag of Venezuelan salsa with the elegance and flavor of a true “Watussi.”

Musical chronology

1949
  • Orlando José Castillo, who would become known worldwide as Orlando Watussi, was born on March 23 in the town of Marín, located in the state of Yaracuy, Venezuela.
  • Coming from a family that would soon move to the popular parish of La Pastora in Caracas, his childhood unfolded far from the stage, but within an environment that would be fundamental to his future connection with the cultural roots of his country.
  • This Yaracuy origin would always be a source of pride for the artist, recalling his roots in a central region of the country, along the road that connects San Felipe with the states of Falcón and Carabobo.
  • From this humble beginning would emerge one of the most emblematic voices of hard salsa on the international stage.
1969
  • In Caracas, and at just twenty years old, Watussi took his first formal steps in music by joining the group Los Excitantes de Alexis Monterola, a band that would later become known as Sexteto Monterola.
  • This marked the starting point of a long journey through the intricate streets of the Caracas salsa circuit, where he began to shape his style as a sonero.
  • The musical scene of the Venezuelan capital at that time was a hotbed of talent and competition, and for Watussi, this early stage represented his first great school, allowing him to learn the codes of tropical music and gain live performance experience.
1971
  • At the beginning of the decade, Watussi continued his process of growth and development by joining the group Príncipe y su Sexteto, another step in consolidating his presence in the local scene.
  • Later, his artistic curiosity led him to become part of Los Satélites, the orchestra of renowned Zulia-born musician Cheché Mendoza, and subsequently the orchestra of Dominican maestro Porfi Jiménez.
  • This journey through different groups allowed him to absorb various styles and musical approaches, enriching his versatility as a singer and preparing him for the greater challenges that lay ahead in the competitive world of salsa.
1974
  • A key milestone in Watussi’s career came in 1974, when he traveled to New York as part of Los Satélites and made his first recording in the “Capital of the World.”
  • He did not do so as a lead singer, but recording backing vocals for the album Capitán by Tony Pabón’s orchestra La Protesta, thanks to an invitation from the legendary singer Néstor Sánchez “El Albino.”
  • This moment served as an early validation of his talent in one of the most demanding markets in the world, and coincided with his performance at the iconic Madison Square Garden, making him the first Venezuelan sonero to achieve this—an accomplishment that turned 50 years old in 2024.
  • His voice on the chorus of “Traigo la salsa dulce” began to be heard on New York radio stations, planting his name among the demanding audience of the Big Apple.
1976
  • In this year, Watussi made his definitive leap into international recognition by undertaking his first major project outside Venezuela with Rafael Cortijo, pioneer of bomba and plena.
  • This led him to reside in Puerto Rico with the intention of joining Cortijo’s Combo, but the dynamics of the moment brought him a golden opportunity: singing for four months with the orchestra of the “King of Bass,” Bobby Valentín.
  • Shortly after, Watussi moved to New York, where he finally rejoined Cortijo’s Combo, settling in the epicenter of salsa creation and beginning to interact with the most influential figures of the genre.
1977 - 1978
  • Settled in New York, Watussi became a sought-after freelance singer, a period of intense activity in which he shared stages and studios with legends such as Kako Bastar, Joe Cuba Sextet, and Larry Harlow.
  • His reputation grew exponentially, opening the doors for him to join La Típica 73.
  • With this group, Watussi had the opportunity to remain until the end of the band and to learn from masters such as Tito Allen, solidifying his place as a prominent sonero within the Fania Records circuit and Latin jazz scene.
1979
  • This year marked another standout moment with his entry into the legendary Conjunto Libre, a group he had admired since his days in Caracas, when he listened to them at the restaurant of “Raúl el Cubano.”
  • His recording debut as a lead singer with the orchestra came on the track “El Changó de María,” where his voice was embedded in the body of the song, while the improvised soneos were performed by Héctor Tempo Alomar.
  • Watussi joined the band through a direct call from Manny Oquendo, who heard him sing live and immediately recruited him.
  • Although due to his contract with Fania he did not receive official credit on that album, “El Changó de María” became a resounding success and a permanent signature piece in his repertoire.
1980 - 1985
  • After his time with Conjunto Libre, Watussi experienced what he himself describes as “the best years of his artistic life” alongside Bobby Rodríguez and his orchestra, Bobby Rodríguez y La Compañía.
  • With this group, Watussi achieved enormous popularity, particularly with his rendition of the song “María Cristina,” which became a major hit or “home run.”
  • Speaking about the bandleader, Watussi has always expressed his admiration, describing him as a “tremendous musician and a tremendous person,” reflecting the high artistic level and the sense of camaraderie within that New York-based ensemble.
1981
  • El pianista y compositor mexicano Armando Domínguez Borrás, conocido como Chamaco Domínguez, grabó un álbum en formato LP, el cual fue lanzado al mercado bajo el título Chamaco Domínguez y Su Conjunto. Este disco fue publicado en México por el sello Otra (OTR-65) en 1981. Entre los temas incluidos en el álbum se encuentra una composición de Chamaco Domínguez titulada Ponce, interpretada por la voz de Luis Ángel Silva, (homenaje al famoso Perla del Sur de la Isla del Encanto).
1986
  • This year represents a turning point in his career, as he decided to begin his path as a solo artist alongside his friend, bongó master José Mangual Jr.
  • As a result of this partnership and following the release of his first solo album, the next production gave rise to “Las Calaveras Blancas” (Las Calaveras), a song that would become his greatest success and his signature piece in every performance around the world.
  • This release firmly established him as a global salsa reference, demonstrating his ability to lead his own project and create an anthem of Colombian origin that would transcend generations and borders.
1991
  • At the beginning of the 1990s, Watussi consolidated his solo career with the release of the album Siempre Pa’ Lante under the Top Hits TH label and licensed by Velvet in Venezuela.
  • This production, recorded in 1991, featured a true “dream team” of salsa: arrangements by figures such as Oscar Hernández, José Febles, and Marty Sheller, along with a stellar chorus featuring Adalberto Santiago and Tito Allen.
  • The album, which included songs such as “Cuidala Bien” and “Son Caleño,” was mixed by legendary engineer Jon Fausty, demonstrating the high caliber and quality with which Watussi approached his personal projects.
2000
  • Entering the new millennium, Watussi released the album Barrio under the Envidia label, a work that brings together some of his classic songs and new compositions, showcasing his evolution as a composer.
  • This material, which includes tracks such as “A Donde Quiera” and “Ya Me Voy,” featured the participation of arrangers such as Isidro Infante and Javier Vásquez, as well as pianist Sergio George on synthesizers.
  • The album, distributed in both Venezuela and Spain, demonstrates Watussi’s continued relevance and his ability to keep producing high-quality music with a contemporary sound.
2022
  • In 2022, Watussi’s career took him to one of the current epicenters of salsa in Latin America: the city of Medellín, Colombia.
  • The Venezuelan sonero performed in concert alongside the group Latina All Stars as part of the celebration of the 37th anniversary of the radio station Latina Stereo 100.9 FM.
  • This performance reaffirmed his connection with the Colombian audience and his place as a respected and active figure on the major salsa stages and festivals of the continent.
2024
  • For several years now, Watussi has established his residence in the city of Milan, Italy, from where he has made Europe his main base of operations.
  • At 75 years old, reached in March 2024, the artist maintains an active performance schedule, regularly visiting countries such as Germany, Spain, France, and, of course, his native Venezuela.
  • His legacy is immense: he has participated in more than sixty albums by different artists and has seven productions of his own, consolidating himself as a living legend of salsa and an tireless ambassador of Venezuelan music around the world.

Discografía

Pensagrama

Through this work on the legacy of the great sonero Orlando José Castillo “WATUSSI”, on this, our page www.latinastereo.com and its section The Salsa Singer of the Month, we want to pay a small tribute to one of the greats of our music.

Discography

Long live music!
Long live salsa!
Long live Orlando José Castillo!

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