As NY1 continues its look at Hispanic Heritage, the station turns its focus to a husband-and-wife duo that is putting their own twist on a classic Dominican sound. NY1's Ruschell Boone filed the following report.
Liza and Willie Urena are a young couple, but they have been in the bachata game a long time. Their sound is a more romantic form of the music, but they also belt out the classics, which are deep rooted in their culture.
They grew up in the Jackson Heights and Corona sections of Queens, but their Dominican parents introduced them to the popular guitar music that originated in the rural areas of the island.
"All we listened to was merengue, salsa, bachata," Willie said. "The bachata just grew inside of me."
Wille started performing at a young age. So did Liza. She was on the professional circuit by the time she was 8. Both met in a guitar class at Newtown High School in Elmhurst. That's when Liza became focused on Bachata.
"He had a bachata group that was 'Juventud,' and then from there, it took on, and I started singing into the bachata world," Liza said.
The band became well-known on the Latin scene in Queens, but the group eventually broke up. Liza and Willie stayed together and joined popular bachata artist "Andy Andy." Willie played second guitar, and Liza was a chorus singer.
"I was the only woman, the only girl there, and it was crazy. But a good crazy," Liza said. "I got to learn a lot, a lot of experience, and Andy Andy was a great mentor.
After a few years on the road, they called it quits and started another group. They were signed to a record label and released an album in 2005, but in 2007, the group broke up, and the duo took a break from touring and the business.
Last year, they launched a comeback in Queens, where they first became popular, and they haven't missed a beat. They are among the best bachata singers in the Borough.
The couple is working on a new album, which is expected to be released next year. In the meantime, they will be touring in Queens and all over the east coast.