Irwin “Wito” Rodriguez came into this world some years ago. The son of two proud Puerto Rican parents in Chicago, Rodriguez found himself emerged not only in Latin music but also rock and roll, and Motown. It was apparent early on that his life would be led by music. Today he’s been nominated for a Hollywood Media Music Award as well as honored at the Miami Fox Music Awards for his English meets Salsa beats. With a career that spans back to the end of the ‘60s, Irwin “Wito” Rodriguez has shown no apparent signs of slowing down as he’s caught his second wind and is going full throttle towards music once again.

Growing up Rodriguez spent his free time playing guitar in rock bands, but in 1968 he decided to get back to his roots. A move to Puerto Rico allowed him to experience the Latin rhythms in a whole new way by way of amazing artists such as percussionist Chacon y Su Orquesta. A few years later he was back in the Windy City and a part of Orquesta La Justicia opening for Ismael Rivera, Ray Barreto, Willie Colon, El Gran Combo and the legendary Fania All-Stars. Joining the US Army in 1973 found the budding musician deployed to Germany.
There he kept the music alive and well, taking singing lessons with Opera singer Barbara Sutton while simultaneously creating two bands; El Conjunto Sabor and La Sonora Antillana. These orchestras accompanied artists from the Salsa field like Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Tito Allen, Santitos Colon, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez and the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. When he found himself back in the states, he also started up Wito Rodriguez Salsa Jazz Orchestra under the guidance and musical direction of trumpet player and arranger, Jacinto Gino Picart. He also was the co-founder of Conexion Latina alongside German bandleader Rudi Fuesers. Together they brought forth the number one Salsa Orchestra in Europe, recording and releasing two full productions; Calorcito and Un Poco Loco.

Rodriguez managed to do and accomplish a lot from the ‘60s throughout the early ‘90s but then took a break. It wasn’t until several years ago that he decided to get back in the swing of things and concentrate on music once again. He released new music in 2015 and 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021