Miami Sound Machine

From Wind Repertory Project
Miami Sound Machine


Biography

Miami Sound Machine was an American band of Latin-influenced music that had featured the vocals of Cuban-born recording artist Gloria Estefan (née Fajardo).

In 1975, Gloria and her cousin Mercedes "Merci" Navarro (1957-2007) met Emilio Estefan Jr. while performing at a church ensemble rehearsal. Estefan, who had formed the band The Miami Latin Boys earlier that year, learned about Gloria through a mutual acquaintance. While The Miami Latin Boys were performing at a Cuban wedding at Hotel Dupont, Gloria and Merci (who were wedding guests) performed two Cuban standards impromptu. They impressed The Miami Latin Boys so much that they were invited to join the band permanently; thereby, the band's name was changed to The Miami Sound Machine. Gloria, who was attending the University of Miami at the time, only agreed to perform during the weekends so that her studies would not be interrupted. Gloria married Emilio Estefan in 1978.

The band had a number of albums and a string of hit singles until 1989. The band's 1985 album Primitive Love credited the band, whereas their follow-up album Let It Loose in 1987 placed Gloria Estefan at the forefront. In 1989, the group's name ceased being included on the CD or album products -- as Estefan continued as a solo artist.


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