Today we’d like to introduce you to Coco Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and I was blessed to in inherited the music gens from my parents; Dad; Eligio Garcia, great harpist, and Milagros Dorante “mom” both very talented musicians from the same home state. I was the youngest of brothers and since an early age, I developed an interest in music. I will play and sing around the house every day with all my dad’s instruments and sing around the house. At the age of 7, signed up for my school singing competition and won the best voice in my home state and after that, I will always get comments and recognition from friends and family which I think made me fall in love more with music and want to be a singer.
Teen years come and I became shyer, but my parents will always make me sing at family reunions and gatherings. Later on 1994, we were invited to the United States, Salt Lake City, Utah to sing with my family group Venezuela Cantando, in 1995 The Living Tradition Festival in Salt Lake City, UT and this was a great experience and made me want to remain in the United States and pursue my music career and two years later, I joined Salsa Brava, the primer Salsa band at that time in Salt Lake City. This also was a great experience.
Since living in Salt Lake City, “Coco” Garcia has performed and toured many States and performed with famous singers as Gloria Estefan, Lalo Rodriguez, Oscar de Leon, Tito Gomez, Maelo Ruiz, Poncho Sanchez and recorded a Video Game song for Konami Studios; Dance Revolution “The Hottest Dance 3”. Coco also performed with Gloria Estefan in the 2002 Winter Olympic closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City and opened shows for Dave Matthews Band at Olympic plaza with Mambo Jumbo Band and toured Europe in 2004 with Orquesta Latino as their main singer on a 30 days tour for the US Air force entertainments and performed in 5 European countries.
Coco Garcia has its roots planted firmly in Salsa, Latin Jazz, and Afro-Cuban music and became part of my life. I recently on COVID year invested my free time in making my first album that was released on March 2021 and is a great production. Music is my life and more than money for me is about sharing my culture and Latin music. Passing on traditions to the new generations and keeping a life Salsa music for me is my best reward.
I will continue making music and sharing it with the world. you can find my new album on all digital platforms and also perform for festivals and all kinds of events wherewith can touch souls. I think music is the best medicine for the world and it was a gift from God.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always challenges and obstacles in any career but for me is resistance and not being so hard on yourself… I never give up on my dreams and no matter how good or bad you are, just keep doing what you love and share it with others, because music is an art to share, not to compete. I have subsisted in this business because I do it with love and a lot of patience.
I see it as a long run and I enjoy the ride without thinking so much about the outcome. I don’t care about becoming a famous singer, I care more about sharing music and making many souls happy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I play salsa music and make people dance. It’s all about making great memories and with my music and band, we have created amazing memories for us and for the people that have seen our shows, festivals, weddings, quinceaneras, and private events, I always get compliments on how great time they had and the great energy they felt. It’s really the best reward for me to feel that music can touch so many hearts and change people’s moods.
I am proud of touching hearts and creating great memories for others that are such of reward for me. If there was something that sets me apart? I could say is my personality and that I am always smiling or making others smile.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Family gatherings in Venezuela, with my family and friends, where my dad and uncles will play their instruments and make great food, sing and dance all night.
Contact Info:
- Email: carloscocogarcia@gmail.com
- Website: https://cocogarciasalsa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocogarciasalsa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocogarciasalsa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=iI-uHS4rLbE&feature=emb_title
Image Credits
Carlos Arevalo
