Orlando Marin

Orlando Marin (February 20, 1935 – October 27, 2023) was an American bandleader and timbales player. He formed his first band, Eddie Palmieri and his Orchestra, in 1951–52 with himself as director and Eddie Palmieri as musical director and later on the piano. He was of Puerto Rican descent.

Life and career After his first group broke up, Marin got a contract at Sunnyside Garden for almost three years to play every Saturday. This was his first steady gig. He then toured Korea and Japan and went to Washington DC for the final competition. This was followed by a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. When stationed in California, Orlando sat in for Tito Puente on timbales at the Hollywood Palladium.

Awards In 1976, Marin was invited to represent Hispanic America at the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration on Ellis Island. In 1993 in Colombia, Marin was honored with a lifetime musical achievement award in Calis Plaza de Toros.

Recording career In 1954 he recorded first composition, My Mambo on 78 (rpm).

Discography Mi Mambo (Plus, 1954) Arriba Cha-Cha-Cha (Fiesta, 1959) Let's Go Latin (Fiesta) Que Chévere (Alegre, 1960) Se Te Quemó La Casa (Alegre, 1961) Está en Algo (Fiesta) Out of My Mind (Brunswick, 1970) Saxophobia (Manana, 1970) Orlando Marin and His Orchestra, Vol. 2 (Fania, 2000) Latin Cool Classics (Latin Cool, 2006)