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Born in the Republic of Panama' and raised in the Calidonia and Rio Abajo neighborhood, this Latin star is characterized by his energy, magnetism , power and he takes control of any stage and makes it glow with a tropical flavor.

 

His first achievement and great opportunity with the greatest of the tropical music scene was on September 9, 2000 at the 25th Salsa Festival at Madison Square Garden in the city of New York, as a background vocalist for artists of the magnitude of Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Son by 4, Oscar D’ León, Michael Stuart, Tony Vega, Tito Nieves, Herman Olivera, Pete el Conde Rodriguez, Domingo Quiñones, Jerry Medina, Marc Quiñones, Frankie Morales, and The Tito Puente Orquestra.
 

As a singer Willie has shared the stage with other Salsa artists such as Sergio George, Oscar D’ León, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Adalberto Santiago, Don Omar, Felix Shakaito Suarez, Alfredo de la Fè’, La Orquesta, La Luz, The Puerto Rican Power, Tito Nieves, Azucar Negra, Luís Perico Ortiz, La Sonora Ponceña, Tommy Olivencia Orquestra, DLG, La Sonora Carruseles de Colombia, Tony Vega, Ruben Blades, Los Van Van de Cuba, Alberto Barros, Diego Galè, Joe Arroyo, Wilson Saoko, Gabino Pampini, Luis Flores, Tommy Ruíz, Saulo Sánchez, Charlie Cardona, Cali Alemán, Aylen Rodríguez, Moncho Santana, Andy Caicedo, Daniel Silva, Willy Garcia, Javier Vásquez , Diego Móran and Tito Puente Jr.
 

As a musician, Willie Panama' was an exclusive artist signed with Gon Bops, TYCOON and SABIAN having many times been invited by Danilo Perez the founder of the Panama Jazz Festival to participate as a Master Instructor in the Panama' Jazz Festival.

He also has made an incursion in the cinema business as an actor in the role of a bodyguard in the Malcom X film, directed by the famous Spike Lee as the bodyguard next to the Oscar Winner African - American actor Denzel Washington, and also in the movie Any Given Sunday directed by the great Oliver Stone, in the double character of the Oscar Winner African-American actor, Jammie Foxx other films are Engaging , Chat , and La vida del Padre Alberto.


He has toured extensively around the world: Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. One of his many achievements was to participate in the Mint Festival House at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in France.


In addition, he is acquainted with American artists in the branch of Jazz, Pop, and Rock such as Herbie Hancock, Chucho Valdèz, Emilio and Gloria Estefan , John Patitucci, Omara Portuando, Jose Feliciano, Jon Secada, Billy Gibbons, Kriss Allen, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wayne Shorter, Susana Baca, Tom Patitucci, Brian Blade, Luis Marín, Danilo Pérez, and the list goes on.

 

On October 2011 , Don King an American former boxing promoter contacted Willie Panama' via Dalia's Duran the daughter of Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Hands of Stone Duran to perform the Panama' National Anthem for the Championship fight between Guillermo El Felino Jones and Mike Marrone in the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.,

Willie  sang an Amazing and Outstanding rendition of the Panamanian Anthem getting him a standing ovation. 

 

In 2016 Willie Panama' was the Grand Marshal for the Panama Parade in Brooklyn NY and the Grand Marshal for the Hispanic Parade in 5th Avenue Manhattan NY and finally the Grand Marshal for the Ecuadorian Parade in New Jersey that same year.


Willie Panamá has been recognized and awarded by numerous Consuls and Ambassadors of Panama' around the world, by Mayors in Miami Florida, and by Florida Senator Rick Scott who recognized him twice with the Governor's Veterans Service Award for his honorable and distinguish service to the US Armed Forces, the arts and music and to the great State of Florida.

In 2019 he received a Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress in 2016 was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature and in 2021 by the California State Legislature in addition in 2016 was presented with a citation by the President of the Borough of Brooklyn City of New York.

 

In March of 2020 was one of 3 VIP guest musical artists to perform for his good friend icon music producer Emilio' Estefan Jr. Birthday Bash Party in Miami Florida

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