courtesy of: The Morning News
written by: Rosalie Klein
Aruba has some remarkably talented and creative performers who earn their living by entertaining at a variety of venues around the island; one such is Michelangelo Koolman, a handsome singer, composer, and guitarist who has attracted attention throughout his career. A number of veteran visitors may remember him as the male star of “Let’s Go Latin” in the Crystal Theater for 4 years.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” comment Angelo, as he is better known, “even though I came somewhat late to performing professionally, at 26.” Popular among many venues on Aruba for his smooth delivery of popular tunes from the likes of Neil Diamond and Bruce Springsteen, his abiding love of the art is many of his own Aruban compositions and the rich, varied rhythms of Latin and regional music.
“I would love to introduce island visitors to the nuances of Latin and Caribbean music,” he asserts, “most U.S. and English pop tunes are very linear, where our music has strong African influences and are ploy-rhythmic; I know people who understand and appreciate the complexities of music as an art and a form of communication will love its complexities.” He considers performing at events like the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival conducted in October truly gratifying for the rapport he established with his audience. “Those people are there for the music, it really gives us the chance to let loose and show what we can do.”
Aside from the music that is his life and passion, he enjoys giving his time to the community, teaching Physical Education to children with special needs, specifically. Recently, he starred in a fundraising concert at La Trattoria El Faro Blanco, to finance his participating in a Dutch version of “American Idol;” the funds would have supported him during the months of the competition. However, he felt he could not agree to the terms of being a participant. “They wanted to control my life and career to be eligible, and that just didn’t work for me.” Instead, he donated all the funds raised from the event to the Aruba Autism Foundation.
Angelo performs 5 nights a week at various venues and his videos can be seen on Youtube, performing in English, Spanish and Papiamento. Right now, he is in serious consideration as a featured performer on a project being developed by Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony; it is possible viewers may enjoy his talents on U.S. television six months from now.
While on Aruba, one can catch Angelo singing and playing guitar at Soprano’s in Arawak Gardens, across from the Occidental Resort, on Saturday nights, and in the Arawak Garden’s Gazebo on Tuesdays; Sundays he performs at the Holiday Inn, Wednesdays, the Radisson and on Friday evenings at CILO Lounge in the Renaissance Marketplace in Oranjestad. At most of these venues he happily takes requests and has an incredibly diverse repertoire in several languages. However, if you really want to see him smile, ask for an original work by him, or a Latin number, or some Classic Soul from the ‘70’s, which he personally considers the “Golden Age” of American Pop Music. Whatever you ask for, his highly individual delivery and pleasing voice are sure to make you smile.
