Elsa Miranda Explained

Elsa Miranda
Birth Name:Elsa Miranda
Birth Date:14 February 1922
Birth Place:Ponce, Puerto Rico
Death Place:Old Bridge, New Jersey
Genre:Popular Song, Bolero, Latin American, Rumba, Jazz
Occupation:Singer, Actress
Label:Pilotone

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.

Early years

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

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] 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

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] 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.[11] [12]

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).[13]

Cinema

As the 1950s emerged, Miranda appeared in the film Captura Recomendada as a musical performer with Carlos Ginés. She also appeared later in the decade in the film Ensayo Final (1955)[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17]

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.[11] In addition, they cited her for the intimacy of her performances and her ability to contrast English and Spanish lyrics with such ease.[18] [10]

Death

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.[19] Her musical legacy includes several single recordings of popular Latin American music from the Golden Age of Radio on major labels including: Columbia Records, Victor Records and Alpha Records.

Discography

Filmography

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Life Magazine . 1 December 1946. 21. 25. 122 . Radio Jingles: Hymns to soap and cereal invite satire but sell ever increasing amounts of sponsors' wares. 0024-3019. 2018-03-24. [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. Book: Sloninsky, Nicholas . Sloninsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes. Elsa Miranda as 'Chiquita Banana'. Routledge Taylor and Francis Group . London . 2002 . 266. 978-0-415-93938-6 . https://books.google.com/books?id=yBIiAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA266.
  3. AMI N.Y. Debut To Be March 27 . 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.. The Billboard . 23 March 1946 . 125.
  4. Book: Terrell . Christine . Martin . Beverly . Pearson . Steve. Images of America - Forest Park. Photograph of Elsa Miranda - "Miss Chiquita" model. . Arcadia Publishing. Chicago. 2008. 96. 9780738554327 . https://books.google.com/books?id=c9ANgllVn2kC&pg=PA96 .
  5. Book: Jenkins, Virginia Scott . https://books.google.com/books?id=SqVqBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT89 . Bananas: An American History . Elsa Miranda - Miss Chiquita Banana resurrected in 1966 . Smithsonian Books . 2000 . 1-56098-966-1 . registration .
  6. The Billboard . 2 February 1946 . 4. 58 . 5. Banana E.T. Proves Good Eating for Elsa Miranda .
  7. The Billboard. 20 April 1946 . 12. Too Short for a Head - Elsa Miranda and Xavier Cugat.
  8. Book: Colin, Bratkovich . Just Remember This . 2014 . 174 . Elsa Miranda in Viva America. 9781483645193 . https://books.google.com/books?id=5WwBBQAAQBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PA173.
  9. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=ehN4sM0Xy_UC&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PA49 . Media Sound And Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean. Bronfman, Alejandra and Andrew Grant Wood. University of Pittsburgh Press . Pittsburgh, PA . 2012 . 49. 978-0-8229-6187-1. Elsa Miranda, Viva America, Juan Arvizu, CBS Pan American Orchestra.
  10. Elsa Miranda and Desi Arnez. The American Record Guide . 13 . 1947. 95 .
  11. Album Reviews - 'Songs and Dances of Latin America'. The Billboard . 22 March 1947 . 110.
  12. https://books.google.com/books?id=BdoLAQAAIAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini 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
  13. https://books.google.com/books?id=oO4uAAAAYAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Elmo+Torres+Perez 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
  14. http://www.cinenacional.com/persona/elsa-miranda/ Entrada de Elsa Miranda en Cinenacional
  15. Book: Blanco Pazos, Roberto. De la Fuga a la Fuga: Diccionario de Films Policiales. es. 2004. Corregidor. Buenos Aires. 98.
  16. https://books.google.com/books?id=tKRNAAAAYAAJ&q=Sonrisas+y+Melodias+Elsa+Miranda Caras y Caretas Fundacion Octubre, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1952, Issues 2343-2148 p. 99 Elsa Miranda and "Sonrisas y Melodias" on google.books.com
  17. https://archive.org/search.php?query=Elsa%20Miranda Elsa Miranda recordings on Archive.org
  18. Single recording recording review of Elsa Miranda and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra. The Billboard. 30 November 1946 . 170.
  19. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/elsa-miranda-obituary?pid=87671603&view=guestbook Elsa Miranda - Obituary in "The Star Ledger" on legacy.com
  20. Advance Record Releases:Adios Mariquita Linda. The Billboard . 34 . 6 April 1946 . 2018-03-25. 52 . 14.
  21. 2018-03-25. Advance Record Releases: Alma Llanera. 58 . 46. The Billboard. 29. 16 November 1946.
  22. 2018-03-25. Advance Record Releases: Caminito de Tu Casa. The Billboard . 6 April 1946. 34. 58. 14.
  23. https://books.google.com/books?id=gnMfAAAAMAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda 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
  24. https://books.google.com/books?id=LRoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PT32 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
  25. https://books.google.com/books?id=gnMfAAAAMAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda 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
  26. https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 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
  27. http://frontera.library.ucla.edu/recordings/flores-negras-32 Flores Negras Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and Vlady with his Orchestra on frontera.library.ucla.edu
  28. 2018-03-24. Desi Arnaz - Victor (20-2020): I'll Never Love Again & Tia Juana. The Billboard . 30 November 1946 . 170.
  29. https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 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
  30. https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 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
  31. https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 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
  32. https://books.google.com/books?id=BdoLAQAAIAAJ&q=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini 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
  33. https://archive.org/details/78_no-puedo-ser-feliz_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-adolfo-guzman_gbia0020889b No Puedo Ser Feliz Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  34. https://archive.org/details/78_no-te-importe-saber_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-rene-touzet_gbia0021198b No Te Importa Saber Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  35. https://archive.org/details/78_noche-azul_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-ernesto-lecuona_gbia0021198a Noche Azul Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  36. https://books.google.com/books?id=3hkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Music+of+the+Americas+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT129 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
  37. https://archive.org/details/78_punal-en-el-alma_elsa-miranda-rene-touzet-y-su-orq-paul-arenas_gbia0020889a Punal en el Alma Single recording of performance by Elsa Miranda and the Rene Touzet Orchestra on Archive.org
  38. https://books.google.com/books?id=DBoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda&pg=PT28 The Billboard - Advance Record Releases - Alfredo Antonini and Elsa Miranda Single recording in "The Billboard" 16 November 1946 p. 29
  39. https://books.google.com/books?id=fEUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elsa+Miranda+Alfredo+Antonini&pg=PT99 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
  40. https://archive.org/details/78_theres-still-a-little-time_elsa-miranda-alfredo-antonini-and-his-viva-america-orch_gbia0185276b/THERE'S+STILL+A+LITTLE+TIME+-+Elsa+Miranda.flac Audio recording - Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Anotnini's Viva America Orchestra on archive.org
  41. 2018-03-24. Advanced Record Releases. The Billboard . 6 April 1946 . 58. 14. 130. 'Tres Palabras' - Single recording with Elsa Miranda and Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra.
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193905/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast Ensayo Final in imdb.com
  43. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042312/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast Captura Recomendada on imdb.com

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