Manuel Molina, who entertained people throughout the world with his musical gifts, has passed away.
Molina passed away on Feb. 25. Throughout his career, he performed, recorded and engineered music around the world. When he was 17, Molina, who was born in Peru, became the youngest person ever to conduct the Peruvian National Symphony.
Molina attended the Conservatory of Peru in Lima and was exposed to classical music from all around the world. He studied composition and classical guitar and went on to lead professional Latin music groups around the world. In particular, his band Hot Molina performed for the United States Department of Defense and for United States embassies around the world. Molina previously told the Broomfield Enterprise that he performed so many shows for American troops that some of them called him the “Latino Bob Hope.”
Molina also thrived as a solo guitarist, and his recordings included Una Noche De Amor, Tranquilo, Apasionado, and an album of Christmas songs. In 1990, Molina performed for Shimon Peres, who served as Israel’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1986 and from 1995 to 1996 before becoming president of the country in 2007. He also performed for actor Raymond Burr’s birthday party in 1980 and participated in the 1999 Noche De Gala.
One of Molina’s signature performances was his musical show, “A Night Around the World.” Every year, Molina blended classical, jazz, Andean, Cuban, Russian and other forms of music into a harmonious celebration. The show featured a live orchestra of award winning and internationally recognized artists from places like the United States, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Peru, and other places. Molina’s orchestra featured 10 to 20 internationally acclaimed musicians from around the world, including Peru, the United States and China.
Other highlights of Molina’s career included performing with Gato Barbieri, a Latin jazz artist, and appearing multiple times at festivals like the Aspen Jazz Festival and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Molina took his music to other places of the world at American fests in Naples, Asia, Europe, Africa, Central America, and South America. At Colorado Rockies games, Molina was a fixture and performed the American National Anthem countless times before games started. He gave back by playing music in schools for children whose parents were away serving in the military.
When Molina performed at five-star hotels around the world, he learned that people would travel to hear their favorite music from their home countries. That led to Molina becoming a master of music from Russia, Hungary, Spain, South America and the Caribbean.
Molina’s impact on music in the Denver area as well as around the world cannot be overexaggerated. LaVozColorado offers Molina’s family and loved ones comfort and peace.
