The Christian Side of Two Salsa Music Artists

Tony Vega and Ismael Miranda are Salsa music icons and converted Christians, which have been in the limelight due to recent career activities and their Salsa Cristiana albums.

Both Tony and Ismael had their faith play an influential role in their lives and musical careers. I’ve recently read about the lives of both Salsa music stars, and decided to blog about them since I didn’t blog during the Easter holiday, and we are still in the Easter liturgical season.

Opposite Salsa Music Careers

Tony Vega’s and Ismael Miranda‘s salsa music careers have gone in opposite directions after deciding to dedicate their lives to serve Christ.

Ismael Miranda’s career has continued to thrive after his Christian conversion. He has released two “Salsa Cristiana” albums, “Buscando El Camino” (2008) and “Aferrado a Ti” (2011), and has combined these releases with the secular Salsa music album “De Regreso al Son” (2009) and with the Christmas music album “La Mano Maestra” (2012).

Tony Vega has been in a musical silence for about 6 years, having immersed himself deeply in church work after his conversion. His last recordings were exclusively of “Salsa Cristiana” and then he had problems with his record label, which has prevented him from performing. Within all that, he basically lost everything but his family.

In a recent interview published by Puerto Rican newspaper “El Nuevo Dia”, Tony describes how Gilberto Santa Rosa lent a helping hand during his tough financial times by adding him as a guest artist to 14 presentations he had in his calendar. (see link to the article below)

Salsa Projects for Tony and Ismael

Ismael Miranda recently launched a beautiful Christmas music album, which includes a couple of songs written by legendary Salsa songwriter Tite Curet Alonso. “La Mano Maestra” is a nice Christmas music album with a Jose Nogueras style, which contains beautiful songs of love, friendship, and yes, some faith as well. (You can read a short review on it HERE)

Miranda is also touring to celebrate his 45 years in music. He has performed in Puerto Rico and Florida, and is now headed for Central and South America.

Tony Vega recently released a new secular single titled “Para Querernos”, a song written by “Salsa Romantica” songwritter extraordinaire Omar Alfano, and which talks about a man that pleads his wife to put aside the anger she feels for him and that they should just love each other. Besides the upcoming release of a new album which will contain “Para Querernos”, Tony will participate in the 55th Anniversary of Willie Rosario, a concert to be held in Puerto Rico.

In Salsa Cristiana, Preach to the Needing Not to the Choir

I still believe that the best way for Salsa music artists to spread God’s message is to add some “Salsa Cristiana” to some secular “Salsa music” projects and presentations. There is plenty of room to combine “Salsa Romantica” with “Salsa Cristiana”, because both talk about love. This way the artist can attract both the secular and the Christian audience without irritating either of them.

This approach makes as much spiritual sense as it makes financial sense. If Ismael Miranda releases a Salsa music album, and includes 2 or 3 “Salsa Cristiana” songs, I’m not going to complain and will likely listen to the album. That means his message in those 2 or 3 songs will reach a much wider audience that may need it. And if the secular audience like the “Salsa Cristiana” songs, they might by this full “Salsa Cristiana” albums. His two “Salsa Cristiana” albums have some very nice songs with positive messages, not necessarily “alleluia” songs as we tend to think about these albums.

In his live performances he can choose how much he will play of each type of Salsa depending on the audience. If he’s at a secular event, he can include a song or two of “Salsa Cristiana”, like he does in his 45 Anniversary tour performances, which have had great positive reviews. If he performs at a religious event, he can do the opposite mix of Salsa music. Why Salsa music artists don’t get this is beyond me!

In any case, I did enjoy Ismael Miranda’s latest recordings, and look forward to Tony Vega’s next Salsa music album.