Born in Chicago and raised in Harvey, IL, Enrique Calderón discovered his passion for music at the age of nine when he first picked up the trumpet. Under the guidance of esteemed teachers like John Weber and Mike McGrath, he developed a strong foundation in classical and jazz music throughout his school years. While his interest in singing emerged at 17, it wasn’t until years later that he would step onto the stage as a vocalist.
In the mid-90s, Enrique was captivated by Chicago’s thriving salsa scene, frequenting iconic nightclubs such as Intas, Excalibur, and Tropicana D’Cache. His break came in 1998 when he began singing backup for Jesus Enríquez, a role that led him to perform alongside salsa greats like Lalo Rodríguez, Cano Estremera, and Marvin Santiago across the Midwest. In 2000, he co-founded La Unica, a band featuring talented vocalists like Ricky Luis (formerly of N’Klabe) and Alex Torres (Rica Obsesión), further solidifying his place in Chicago’s salsa community.
After a hiatus from performing in 2004, Enrique returned in 2012, collaborating with groups such as Rica Obsesión, Naborí, and Humboldt Park Orchestra. His talent as a backup vocalist continued to shine, supporting both rising stars and salsa legends, including Willito Otero, Kayvan Vega, NG2, Carlos Nevares, Maelo Ruiz, Charlie Aponte, and Luisito Carrión.
In July 2016, Enrique launched his own band, Enrique Calderón y su Orquesta, marking a new chapter in his career. He also began writing and recording original music, working alongside Ricky Luis and Joe Mende (Afincao). His debut single, Más Tiempo, was released in 2017, followed by four more singles, including collaborations with NG2 on Amarte Sin Descanso (2018) and No Te Contaron Mal (2019). His 9 8 singles can be found on all digital platforms.
Enrique’s momentum continued in 2019 when he opened for Don Perignon y La Puertorriqueña at the Chicago International Salsa Congress, as well as for the internationally acclaimed salsa star La India. For the past 8 yrs, he remains a staple in the Midwest Salsa, performing in Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Indiana & Wisconsin. He’s performed at Chicago Salsa Bachata Festival, Taco & Tamale Festival, Puerto Rican Festival to name a few. You can find him frequently performing at various events and venues like The Cubby Bear, Vin 312 Winery & Branding Iron in the Chicagoland area.
For bookings and updates on new music, visit the contact page and stay tuned for more from Enrique Calderón y su Orquesta!
