The José A. Freilla Interview

Biographical Note: José A. Freilla was born in Salcedo, Dominican Republic on August 15, 1931. He is one of seven children born to Rogelio Freilla and Maria Ramona Barrero. He came to the United States in 1960 and settled in New York City where he married Maria García. He is a professional singer (Tenor), songwriter, and composer. Freilla began singing at five years old and even sang for radio stations in the Dominican Republic. He has a passion for classical music and received a scholarship to study music in the Dominican Republic. His music specialties were ballads, tangos, and merengues. He played the piano and guitar. He has produced and recorded four albums and over 50 songs during his lifetime. He began singing in local venues including the San Juan Theatre, and Carnegie Hall, as soon as he arrived in New York City. He is one of the co-founders of the Asociación de Artistas Clásicos Dominicanos en New York. He knew famous Dominican composers such as Rafael Petitón Guzmán, Bullumba Landestoy, and Manolo López. 

Scope and Content Note: The José Freilla Oral History Interview contains seven videotape segments about the musical trajectory of the Dominican musician and composer.