Julio Albino (Junito), born in New York in 1962, was inspired by timbaleros such as El Rey, Mr. Tito Puente, Mr. Oreste Vilato, and Mr. Nicky Marrero. At the age of 13, he became part of the school band in San Germán, directed by Felix Alvarado, until he graduated from high school. He played timbales with his first orchestra as a professional, the Orquesta La Mya, led by Mr. Fernando Vega, trumpet player and director, and during that time, he performed with various renowned orchestras. In 1980, he decided to study at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico in the Department of Music, San Germán campus. While in college, he became part of the Orquesta Kachende from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, under the direction of Gilberto Velez, affectionately known as Gili. The band's singer and composer for almost all of their first album’s songs was Anthony Martinez, who later became a member of the Orquesta La Solución of Puerto Rico, performing major hits like "Amor de Tango" and many more. In 1983, he moved to New York City and immediately became part of the Hermanos Colón Orchestra, where he met the great singer Wichie Camacho and his brother Carlos Camacho, who were their singers at the time. He later recorded the second production of the Hermanos Colón (AMAME UN POQUITO MÁS) under the direction of Mr. Sergio Quijano, nephew of the great Joe Quijano, with arrangements by Maestro Sergio George.

He then joined the orchestra of Joe Quijano (Q.E.P.D.) Big Band and also his ensemble Cachana, playing alongside the great pianist Charlie Palmieri and accompanying the Queen, Celia Cruz, and the King of Timbales, Tito Puente, among others. He shared the stage with musicians of the caliber of Charlie Palmieri and Mr. Ray Santos. He recorded the production LA PACHANGA SE BAILA ASÍ, which included a posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, with lyrics by the great Tite Curet Alonso, titled "El Piano de Charlie Fue," alongside Mr. Milton Cardona, Yayo El Indio, Dave Valentin, Meñique, and many others. In 1986, he accompanied several artists such as Paquito Guzmán, Lalo Rodríguez, Héctor Tricoche, Marvin Santiago, Júnior González, and Jose Mangual Jr., among others. In 1989, he became part of the orchestra of former singer of the great Colombian orchestra Grupo Niche.

He belonged to the orchestra of Mr. Moncho Santana, which released the hit IMAGÍNATE, reaching the top spots in New York City, across the United States, and Latin America under the label Combo Records. He also had the opportunity to join Tito Nieves’ orchestra and the orchestra of Ramón Rodríguez, led by his pianist and friend Gilberto Colón (El Pulpo), former director of Héctor Lavoe, sharing percussion with Jorge González on bongo and his godfather Willie Romero on conga. He then joined the orchestra of the King of Salsa, Mr. Frankie Ruiz.

In 1993, he moved back to his Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico, with his family and joined the orchestra of Mr. Luisito Ayala and his PUERTORICAN POWER. Later, he played with orchestras such as Luisito Carrión, Giro, Jorge Escobar, and the orchestra of Joye Hernández. At the end of that year, he joined the Orquesta La Solución of Puerto Rico, where he stayed for 22 years, the last two years as representative and artistic coordinator of the orchestra, during which he recorded his last four productions: A BAILAR PA’ DENTRO, ALCANZAR UNA ESTRELLA, 30 ANIVERSARIO, and REFRESHING, touring almost the entire world: America, South America, Europe, and of course, Puerto Rico. He currently collaborates with several orchestras.

In recent years, he has been working as a producer and musician for several orchestras and independent groups, recording minor percussion, timbales, and bongos, and directing them. These include RUMBA PA’ RUMBEROS under the Obra Maestra Records label of Rigoberto (Rigo) Rodríguez and his masterpiece, which was widely accepted in Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, and Europe, as well as recordings like Three Boricuas by Mr. Ángelo Cuevas. Surrounded by musician friends and composers, he decided to form his own group, which he named SECRETO A VOCES (A SECRET AMONG VOICES). They won the Salsa Revelation Orchestra of the Year 2017 at the Ponce Music Awards. It is a salsa and Latin jazz band for music lovers. The vocalists include his cousin BETSY LOPEZ, ANTHONY MARTINEZ (SINGER-SONGWRITER), and Mr. SERGIO MERCADO. Currently, his singers are Mr. FERNANDO MERCADO, Mr. RAY PAGAN, and his son GIOVANNI ALBINO, with guest singers such as Mr. JAIME (MEGUI) RIVERA, Mr. MELVIN (MEL) MARTÍNEZ, Mr. NINO SEGARRA, and master singer-songwriter LUIS SEDA, FRANKIE VÁZQUEZ "El Sonero del Barrio," WITO COLÓN, and CARLITOS SANTOS. Their arrangers include Joseph Carbó, Ernestito Sánchez, Edwin Luciano, Nino Segarra, David Forestier, Ricky Zayas, Tony Velazquez, Javier Fernández, Cuto Soto, musician and composer Frank Mangual, Venezuelans Wilmer Herrera, and his great friend, musician, pianist, arranger, producer, and composer Víctor Gámez.

JULITO AND HIS ORCHESTRA SECRETO A VOCES has been highly appreciated in Europe, reaching the top spots in Italy and appearing on two compilations: The First: Noches Cubanas Vol. 26 and The Second: Beginner’s Guide to Salsa Vol. 2, sharing the compilations with bands such as Jimmy Bosch, Soneros del Barrio, his great friend Aris Martínez, and many others. They are considered in the Latin Grammy nominations for 2023 and 2024, also winning several awards such as Album of the Year 2022 EL SECRETO YA NO ES SECRETO, and also as Revelation Orchestra of 2021. He has received recognition from the New York City assembly member Edward Gibbs and many others throughout his 21-year music career.

Now, under the NMJ Animal Music Records LLC label of Mr. Wito Rodríguez, he is working on his fourth production. Several songs are already available on all digital platforms under Julio Albino and his Orchestra Secreto A Voces, where you can enjoy the new work by this record label, featuring energy, music, masterful arrangements, and videos of his songs, always with the respect that dancers and music lovers of the salsa genre deserve.

"Looking forward to you continuing to keep our Secret, as only you know how to do it." Avocesssss… So spread it!