After days and weeks of preparation, the day had finally come.
At the Marlins game at Loan Depot Park, with the stadium full of thousands of Nicaraguans, Luis Angel Escoto Amador — who cleaned pools and sang karaoke when he got to the United States — belted out the Nicaraguan National Anthem at the Nicaraguan Heritage Celebration.
That Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, marked a milestone in his budding music career.
“It was a big change, it was hard to process it,” Escoto said. “Months before I was working in construction, under the sun, covered by dust and trash. Then, there I was at the stadium, well dressed, singing the National Anthem of my country.”
Several years before, the then-22-year-old Escoto decided to come to the U.S. alone, leaving his parents and siblings behind in Nicaragua. He was looking for a better life that he couldn’t find in his home country and entered the U.S. illegally.
“It was a challenging journey through all Central America,” Escoto said. “I think that as a result of the sociopolitical crisis that Nicaragua was going through, being in Nicaragua was not an option for any young person with dreams.”
After making his way to Miami, he started the process to become a legal citizen, receiving temporary protected status because of the political situation in his home country.
“Since I was little, I grew up in music and what I really liked was playing the guitar, my passion was more instrumental than singing,” a talent he discovered later, said Escoto.
Escoto’s family supported his early interest in music.
“To me, Luis is a very passionate and talented artist, he has so much love for music and the talent that musicians and artists carry as well,” said Jennifer Escoto, a cousin.
“Amame Sin Miedo” was the first song which opened doors for the Banda Güegüense, which Escoto is a part of, while the tunes “Palo Pa ti” and “Bailalo Muevelo” followed, songs that have topped more than 35,000 views on Youtube. These tunes are part of the playlist that the group has performed in Florida and during their tour in Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Louisiana.
Escoto has also appeared on “Despierta America” on Univision, Telemundo and other media programs.
“What I think about Luis is that he is going in the right path as an artist, he has the light that a true singer should have,” said Luis Martinez, who has performed with Escoto for eight years and had recommended him to El Guacalito restaurant on SW 8th Street in Miami, where Banda Guegüense was born.
“As a Cuban, I really enjoy watching the vocalist Luis Escoto singing with Banda Guegüense,” said Daimary Cabrera, who has visited El Guacalito to see the group. “He transmits joy, enthusiasm and good music.”
As a vocalist for the group, Escoto has had the opportunity to share stage with elite artists, including Luis Enrique, Angel el Flaco, Pablo Montero and others.
“Luis has a beautiful vibe because he is always happy,” Michael Castillo, who performs with Escoto. “He always tries to encourage all his colleagues and give them that spark to enjoy each show.”
“New things are coming with the band, new songs, we are working on an album, we will also have collaborations with Venezuelan and Nicaraguan artists. I will also be producing my own songs,” Escoto said. “Music is like my safe place, it’s that place where you go when things are not going well and when things are going well, surely music is involved.”
