Biography

Caguas has also spawned many well-known notable citizens, like Johnny Lozada, a member of the Latin rock/pop group 'Menudo' (of Ricky Martin fame!). Another musician was Eladia, Willie's mother, who played and sang Puerto Rican folk songs on her Ukulele and Spanish guitars!

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Seems like we have the proverbial ‘apple that didn't fall far from the tree!’

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Willie Garcia began his musical career at age 9 singing in the living room of his home. Willie departed from the influence of his parents’ traditional music genre. Instead, he started to explore more contemporary sounds and became heavily influenced by Rhythm & Blues, which was popular with the urban youth at that time, like the Jackson 5!

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Willie, inspired by the emerging and popular Gary Indiana Pop and R&B boy band and their talented lead singer Michael Jackson, would sing the Eddie Silvers’ and Michael’s hit song, 'Big Boy,' recorded by The Jackson's in 1967. 

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Although The Jackson 5 made 3 cents per recorded song, Willie Garcia's oldest brother, Miguel Muňoz, lead singer for a band known as the 'Rain Makers,' would wake his little brother Willie from his sleep near midnight, to sing his favorite song 'Big Boy' while family and friends gathered in their living room! Jose 'Tony' Muňoz, his second oldest brother, would pass the hat around and collect up to $30. Willie would then go back to sleep, with the money he had earned for the night in his pocket and wearing a big smile on his face!

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While attending Roberto Clemente High School, Willie spent time at the school's popular new music labs with his friend Edwin Sanchez.  There, they sharpened and improved their musical interests, talents and skills. In 1974, Willie  participated in his first high school talent show, further expanding his audience, reach and popularity!

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Although the new contemporary sounds and rhythms dominated the urban teen scene at the time, Willie could not dismiss or escape the influence of his Latin roots. It was in his blood, given his Caribbean background and heritage, especially from his vocalist and guitar-playing mother! 

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With an eventual move to Bell Street and North Avenue in East Humboldt Park in the late 1960's and early 70's, he experienced the changes brought to the city and the neighborhood. The new looks, smells, and sounds that were emerging!

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For starters, Juan Montenegro's 'Latin Explosion' on WEDC 12.40 AM, sizzled the airwaves seven days a week with Latin Jazz coined as 'Salsa.'  Along with that style was also Afro-Cuban Jazz. Then there was Victor Para's (R.I.P.) VP Record Store on the corners of North and Milwaukee Avenues and Damen Street, which displayed, played, sold and promoted artists like the Salsa-driven Fania All Stars. When members of the Fania All Stars were in town for their concerts, Victor Parra would have them present and promote themselves to the locals at his store!

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Young Puerto Ricans with long straight, wavy and afro hairstyles, wearing Bell-Bottoms, Straight-Leg Jeans, Khakis, Pleated Pants and complemented with African Dashikis, Paisley-Print Shorts, Long-Sleeve shirts, T-shirts, Tank Tops and occasionally topped with a Short or Long Brim Straw or Felt Hats, were influenced and drawn to both popular venues!

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Boricuas were becoming the dominant group in the neighborhood that affectionately became known as 'The Hood!'

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At age 14, these fashions and sounds caught the eyes and ears of most urban youth, and Willie Garcia was no exception. Willie was swept into 'La Moda'! Hearing the now dominant sounds of Latin Jazz like Salsa and Afro-Cuban rhythms coming from every street corner, household and garage in the hood, Willie was smitten! His Caribbean roots returned like a Ceiba tree deeply entrenched in the soil of 'La Isla del Encanto' - The Enchanted Island!

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That's when Willie met 'Ito', a saxophone player and the musical director/manager of a 12-member band replete with guitars, piano/organ, horn section, and percussion called 'La Conquistadora'. Willie was invited to become its lead singer, an opportunity he wouldn't miss and relished! He spent a short time with this band before moving on to the next one.

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Willie dove into this new music genre like a starving amateur ready for competition and a chance to become like the entertainment notables of his parents’ hometowns.

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Although Willie was not dominant in speaking, reading or writing Spanish in his teens, he understood the language having listened to his parents, relatives and others speaking it at home and in and around the neighborhood and, especially, in listening to the Latin rhythms of 'Salsa!' 

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It became Willie's musical starting point in learning to speak and sing in Spanish. But of course, his mother, Eladia, taught him how to read and write it, a welcome and much-needed addition to his musical skill set that enhanced his new career! By then, the song 'Tricionera', by 'Los Satelites,' released in 1973, had become a Salsa hit, which Willie sang proudly with the band La Conquistadora!

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At age 28, Willie Garcia became the lead singer of an 11-member band that eventually became known as 'Willie Garcia y su Orquesta Sabor,' hence Willie's new stage name as 'Willie Sabor.' The name has stuck with him ever since! 

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Orquesta Sabor played in local venues like Northwest Hall, La Concha, Charlie's Hill, Cat's Cafe, The Village Cafe, and a local favorite The Latin Village, owned and operated by Vitin Santiago, the veteran 'Mambo Boys' conjunto leader during his 'Borinqueneer' days in the Korean War!

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Orquesta Sabor became very popular and moved on to play venues throughout the Midwest in places like Aurora, Waukegan, Elgin, Indiana, Michigan, Cleveland, and Minneapolis. The orchestra also went on to play with the Chicago All Stars, a replica of the Fania All Stars in La Fortaleza (i.e., the Governor’s Mansion) in 'El Viejo San Juan'/Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. 

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‘Los Gallos’ - the chickens came home to roost! Wepaaa!

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Willie Garcia y su Orquesta Sabor released their first 7-track album, directed and arranged by Kenny Van Lysebettens and titled 'Fly Me To The Moon,' on CD in 2001, a Salsa album infused with influences of Latin Jazz and Rhythm & Blues. In 2024, the master tapes of the original album were dusted off and underwent a remastering process. In July of 2025, a new 15-track album, including the remastered tracks, was born, 'Fly Me To The Moon - Odysseus.' The new album is issued on limited-edition vinyl with only the remastered version of the original 7 tracks and on CD with all 15 tracks.

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"Fly Me To The Moon - Odysseus" is an exciting and jubilant welcome to Willie Sabor's musical journey, featuring Willie's unique talent for blending English and Spanish on various tracks. Willie Garcia y su Orquesta Sabor have come a long way from their island heritage and Chicago roots in East Humboldt Park. His fan base has come to deeply love and appreciate Willie 'Sabor' Garcia y su Orquesta Sabor!

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Hopefully, this new album will not disappoint. It is sure to become a memorable experience with more to come in the future!

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PALANTE/FORWARD!