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Elsa Miranda

Summary

Elsa M. Miranda (14 February 1922 – 27 April 2007) was a noted Puerto Rican singer who was featured on radio and television in the United States during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1940s. As a naturalized Argentinian, she was also active as a film actress in South America during the 1950s.

Elsa Miranda
Elsa Miranda in 1950
Background information
Birth nameElsa Miranda
Born14 February 1922
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died(2007-04-27)27 April 2007
Old Bridge, New Jersey
GenresPopular Song, Bolero, Latin American, Rumba, Jazz
Occupation(s)Singer, Actress
LabelsPilotone

Early years edit

Elsa Miranda was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a city located in the southern region of the island. She moved to New York City with her mother Amelia Miranda (1898-2007) and became a performer who first attained notoriety as a vocalist through her live performances during the Golden Age of Radio in the United States in the 1940s. Included among her most popular songs were Adiós Mariquita Linda as performed with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra, Cariñoso as performed with Desi Arnaz and his orchestra, Besos de Fuergo and Sonata Fantasía among others.

Miss Chiquita Banana edit

Miranda first appeared on the radio performing the promotional singing commercial Chiquita Banana in 1945. Her interpretation of the tropical tune proved to be immensely popular and was broadcast over 2,700 times per week.[1] These commercial radio broadcasts created widespread notoriety for Miranda.[2] She was also celebrated as one of the most popular models in the "Miss Chiquita Banana" contest during the 1940s, making several advertising and promotional film appearances on behalf of the Chiquita brand.[3] She subsequently collaborated in various musical events representing the brand with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra during 1945 and 1946.[4][5]

External audio
  You may listen to Elsa Miranda in the first "Chiquita Banana" commercial here
  You may listen to Elsa Miranda singing "Chiquita Banana" with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in 1946 here on archive.org

As a result of this exposure, Miranda soon emerged in a series of performances on radio networks in New York City. By 1946, she appeared on such network broadcasts as The Jack Smith Show on CBS and Leave It To Mike on Mutual.[6] At this time she also engaged in a series of collaborations with noted interpreters of Latin American music in New York including Xavier Cugat on the C-C Spotlight Bands show for WOR radio and Alfredo Antonini on the Viva America show for the Columbia Broadcasting System and Voice of America.[7][6][8] While performing on Viva America she also collaborated with several international musicians of that era including: the Mexican tenors Juan Arvizu and Nestor Mesta Chayres, the Argentine composer/arranger Terig Tucci and members of the CBS Pan American Orchestra including John Serry Sr.[9]

Recording Latin American music in the United States edit

Before long, Miranda engaged in a series of recordings in collaboration with leading conductors of Latin American music in the United States. Her performances included renditions of Cariñoso, Carnival in Rio, I'll Never Love Again and Tia Juana with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra for Victor Records in 1946 and 1947.[10][11] They also included performances with Alfredo Antonini on recordings for Pilotone Records and Alpha Records which included: Alma Llanera, Silencio, Music of the Americas and Songs and Dances of Latin America.[12][13][14]

By 1947, Mianda also collaborated in Puerto Rican radio shows with Rafael Pont Flores, Elmo Torres Perez, Pepito Torres and his Siboney Orchestra and the Dúo Rodríguez-De Códova (Alicía and Adalberto, who once performed for WEMB).[15]

Cinema edit

 
Carlos Ginés and Elsa Miranda in Captura Recomendad (1950

As the 1950s emerged, Miranda appeared in the film Captura Recomendada as a musical performer with Carlos Ginés.[16] She also appeared later in the decade in the film Ensayo Final (1955)[17] in which she shared scenes with such actors as Carlos Ginés, Gloria Ferrandiz, Ricardo Lavié, Margarita Corona, Eduardo Rudy, Nathán Pinzon, Alberto Closas, Santiago Gómez Cou and Nelly Panizza.[16][18] She also appeared on the television program Tropicana Club with Ángel Magaňa, Carlos Castro "Castrito" and Mario Pocoví. In addition, she collaborated in 1955 in Comedias Musicales with Pedro Quartucci, Perla Alvarado, Angel Eleta, Lita Moreno and Dorita Vernet. In 1952 she also appeared in the theater production of Sonrisas y Melodías.[19]

In addition to her recordings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Miranda included several recordings of boleros with the Cuban René Touzet Orchestra for Seeco Records in her discography.[20]

Miranda's musical performances on both radio and television were widely applauded by members of the public as well as professional critics of her time. For example, reviewers in The Billboard magazine specifically applauded Elsa Miranda for her sweet and spirited renditions of boleros.[13] In addition, they cited her for the intimacy of her performances and her ability to contrast English and Spanish lyrics with such ease.[21][10]

Death edit

On 27 April 2007, Miranda passed away at the Madison Center in Old Bridge, New Jersey at the age of 85. Her cremated remains were buried in Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is survived by her daughter, her sister, two granddaughters, and three great-grandchildren.[22] Her musical legacy includes several single recordings of popular Latin American music from the Golden Age of Radio on major labels including: Columbia Records,[citation needed] Victor Records and Alpha Records.

Discography edit

External audio
  Elsa Miranda and the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra performing "There's Still A Little Time" in 1946
Here on Archive.org
  • Adios Mariquita Linda - Alpha (#12206) Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Marcos A. Jimenez with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [23]
  • Alma Llanera - Pilotone (#5071) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) [12]
  • Caminito de Tu Casa - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Julio Alberto Hernández with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946)[24]
  • Cariñoso - Victor (#25-1071) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1947) [25][26][27]
  • Carnival in Rio - Victor (#25-1071) - Elsa Miranda performs with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1947)[28]
  • Chapinita - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda performs this bolero by Miguel Sandoval with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [29]
  • Flores Negras - Pampa (#11039-A) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Sergio De Karlo with Vlady and his Orchestra (19??) [30]
  • I'll Never Love Again - Victor (#20-2020) - Elsa Miranda sings the lyrics in English, with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra (1946) [11][31]
  • La Mulata Tomasa - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Lazaro Qintero Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [32]
  • La Zandunga - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Andres Gutierrez with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [33]
  • Mi Nuevo Amor - Alpha (#12206) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) [34]
  • Music of the Americas - Alpha (#????) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1947) [35]
  • No Puedo Ser Feliz - Seeco (#7728) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Adolfo Guzman with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??)[36]
  • No Te Importa Saber - Seeco (#7729) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Rene Touzet with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [37]
  • Noche Azul - Seeco (#7729) - Elsa Miranda sings this Cha Cha Cha by Ernesto Lecuona with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [38]
  • Noche de Ronda - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Agustín Lara with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra (1946) [39]
  • Punal en el Alma - Seeco (#7728) - Elsa Miranda sings this song by Paul Arenas with the Rene Touzet Orchestra (19??) [40]
  • Silencio - Pilotone (#5070) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946)[41]
  • Songs and Dances of Latin America - Alpha (#A-3) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra (1947) [42]
  • There's Still A Little Time - Alpha (1001B) - Elsa Miranda sings with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra (1946) [43]
  • Tres Palabras - Alpha (#12205) - Elsa Miranda sings this bolero by Osvaldo Farres with Alfredo Antinini's Viva America Orchestra (1946)[44]

Filmography edit

  • Ensayo Final - Elsa Miranda performing in the cast (1955) [45]
  • Captura Recomendada - Elsa Miranda performing as herself (1950)[46]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Radio Jingles: Hymns to soap and cereal invite satire but sell ever increasing amounts of sponsors' wares". Life Magazine. Vol. 21, no. 25. 1 December 1946. p. 122. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved 24 March 2018. [photo caption] 2700 times a week during its peak popularity, Chiquita Banana song, styled like a Trinidad Calypso, was broadcast from recordings by Elsa Miranda.
  2. ^ Sloninsky, Nicholas (2002). "Elsa Miranda as 'Chiquita Banana'". Sloninsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes. London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. p. 266. ISBN 978-0-415-93938-6.
  3. ^ "AMI N.Y. Debut To Be March 27". The Billboard. 23 March 1946. p. 125. Elsa Miranada, who has won fame as 'the Chiquita Banana Girl', and Alfredo Antonini, conductor, are scheduled for personal appearances at the firm's showing of the AMI phonograph.
  4. ^ Terrell, Christine; Martin, Beverly; Pearson, Steve (2008). "Photograph of Elsa Miranda - "Miss Chiquita" model.". Images of America - Forest Park. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 96. ISBN 9780738554327.
  5. ^ Jenkins, Virginia Scott (2000). "Elsa Miranda - Miss Chiquita Banana resurrected in 1966". Bananas: An American History. Smithsonian Books. ISBN 1-56098-966-1.
  6. ^ a b "Banana E.T. Proves Good Eating for Elsa Miranda". The Billboard. Vol. 58, no. 5. 2 February 1946. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Too Short for a Head - Elsa Miranda and Xavier Cugat". The Billboard. 20 April 1946. p. 12.
  8. ^ Colin, Bratkovich (2014). "Elsa Miranda in Viva America". Just Remember This. p. 174. ISBN 9781483645193.
  9. ^ Bronfman, Alejandra and Andrew Grant Wood, ed. (2012). "Elsa Miranda, Viva America, Juan Arvizu, CBS Pan American Orchestra". Media Sound And Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-8229-6187-1.
  10. ^ a b "Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnez". The American Record Guide. Vol. 13. 1947. p. 95.
  11. ^ a b "Desi Arnaz - Victor (20-2020): I'll Never Love Again & Tia Juana". The Billboard. 30 November 1946. p. 170. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Advance Record Releases: Alma Llanera". The Billboard. Vol. 58, no. 46. 16 November 1946. p. 29. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Album Reviews - 'Songs and Dances of Latin America'". The Billboard. 22 March 1947. p. 110.
  14. ^ The New Records - "Music of the Americas" - Record review of Alfredo Antonini, Viva America Orchestra and Elsa Miranda in "the New Records" September 1947 p. 71 on google.books.com
  15. ^ Historia de la Radio en Puerto Rico Jose Luis Torregrosa. Asociación de la Radiodifusores de Puerto Rico, 1991 p. 245 - Elsa Miranda and Elmo Torres Perez and Pepito Torres and Orchestra Siboney and el duo Rodriguez on WEMB on google.books.com(in Spanish)
  16. ^ a b Elsa Miranda at IMDb
  17. ^ Entrada de Elsa Miranda en Cinenacional
  18. ^ Blanco Pazos, Roberto (2004). De la Fuga a la Fuga: Diccionario de Films Policiales (in Spanish). Buenos Aires: Corregidor. p. 98.(in Spanish)
  19. ^ Caras y Caretas Fundacion Octubre, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1952, Issues 2343-2148 p. 99 Elsa Miranda and "Sonrisas y Melodias" on google.books.com(in Spanish)
  20. ^ Elsa Miranda recordings on Archive.org
  21. ^ "Single recording recording review of Elsa Miranda and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra". The Billboard. 30 November 1946. p. 170.
  22. ^ Elsa Miranda - Obituary in "The Star Ledger" on legacy.com
  23. ^ "Advance Record Releases:Adios Mariquita Linda". The Billboard. Vol. 52, no. 14. 6 April 1946. p. 34. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Advance Record Releases: Caminito de Tu Casa". The Billboard. Vol. 58, no. 14. 6 April 1946. p. 34. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  25. ^ The American Records Guide - Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra Single recording of Elsa Mranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra performing "Cariñoso" in "American Records Guide" Vol. 13, 1947 p. 95 on google.books.com
  26. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Cariñoso" Single recording Elsa Miranda with Desi Arnaza's Orchestra in "The Billboard" 28 September 1946 p. 33 on google.books.com
  27. ^ ELSA MIRANDA / DESI ARNAZ ORCHESTRA - I'll Never Love Again (La Borrachita) 1946 on YouTube
  28. ^ The American Records Guide - Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra Single recording of Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnaz Orchestra performing "Carnival in Rio" in "American Records Guide" Vol. 13, 1947 p. 95 on google.books.com
  29. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Chapinita" Single recording Elsa Miranda with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 34 on google.books.com
  30. ^ Flores Negras Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and Vlady with his Orchestra on frontera.library.ucla.edu
  31. ^ ELSA MIRANDA / DESI ARNAZ ORCHESTRA - I'll Never Love Again (La Borrachita) 1946 on YouTube
  32. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "La Mulata Tomasa" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130 on google.books.com
  33. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "La Zandunga" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in The Billboard 6 April 1946 p. 130
  34. ^ THe Billboard - Advance Record Releases- "Mi Nuevo Amor" Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130
  35. ^ The New Records - "Music of the Americas" - Alfredo Antonini and Elsa Miranda New recording in "The New Records" September 1947 p. 71 on google.books.com
  36. ^ No Puedo Ser Feliz Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  37. ^ No Te Importa Saber Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  38. ^ Noche Azul Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  39. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - "Noche de Ronda" Single recording Elsal Miranda with Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra in "The Billboard" 6 April 1946 p. 130 on google.books.com
  40. ^ Punal en el Alma Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  41. ^ The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - Alfredo Antonini and Elsa Miranda Single recording in "The Billboard" 16 November 1946 p. 29
  42. ^ The Billboard - Album Reviews - Songs and Dances of Latin America Record review of Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini Orchestra in "The Billboard" 22 March 1947 p. 110
  43. ^ Audio recording - Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Anotnini's Viva America Orchestra on archive.org
  44. ^ "Advanced Record Releases". The Billboard. Vol. 58, no. 14. 6 April 1946. p. 130. Retrieved 24 March 2018. 'Tres Palabras' - Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra
  45. ^ Ensayo Final in imdb.com
  46. ^ Captura Recomendada on imdb.com

External links edit

  • Elsa Miranda on Worldcat.org
  • Elsa Miranda at IMDb
  • Recordings of performances by Elsa Miranda on Archive.org
  • Recording of performance of Flores Negras by Elsa Miranda with Vlady y su Orquesta in "The Strachwitz Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican American Recordings" at the University of California Los Angeles on frontera.library.ucla.edu

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