Julio Albino (Junito), born in New York in 1962, was inspired by timbaleros like El Rey, Mr. Tito Puente, Mr. Oreste Vilato, and Mr. Nicky Marrero. At the age of 13, he became part of the San Germán school band, directed by Felix Alvarado, until he graduated from high school. He played timbales with his first professional orchestra, La Mya Orchestra, led by Mr. Fernando Vega, a trumpeter and director, and he went on to perform with several renowned orchestras during those years. In 1980, he decided to study at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in the Music Department at the San Germán campus. While at university, he became part of the Orquesta Kachende from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, directed by Gilberto Vélez, affectionately known as Gili. The band's singer and composer of almost all the songs they recorded for their first album was Anthony Martinez, who later joined Puerto Rico's Orquesta La Solución, where he interpreted major hits like "Amor De Tango" and many others.

In 1983, Julio moved to New York City and immediately joined the Hermanos Colón Orchestra, where he met the great singer Wichie Camacho and his brother Carlos Camacho, who were the singers at the time. He then recorded the second album of the Hermanos Colón Orchestra ("Ámame Un Poquito Más"), produced under the voice of Mr. Sergio Quijano, the nephew of the great Joe Quijano, and directed by Maestro Sergio George.

He later became part of Joe Quijano's (R.I.P.) Big Band Orchestra and his ensemble Cachana, playing alongside the great pianist Charlie Palmieri, and frequently accompanying the Queen Celia Cruz and the King of Timbales Tito Puente, among others. He shared the stage with musicians like Charlie Palmieri and Mr. Ray Santos, among others. He recorded the album La Pachanga Se Baila Así, which featured a posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, written by the great Tite Cuert Alonso, called “El Piano de Charlie Fue,” alongside Mr. Milton Cardona, Yayo El Indio, Dave Valentin, Meñique, and many more.

In 1986, he accompanied several artists, such as Paquito Guzmán, Lalo Rodríguez, Héctor Tricoche, Marvin Santiago, Júnior González, and José Mangual Jr., among others. In 1989, he became part of the orchestra of the former lead singer of the great Colombian orchestra Grupo Niche.

He was also part of the orchestra of Mr. Moncho Santana, known for the hit "Imagínate," which topped the charts in New York, the United States, and Latin America under the Combo Records label. He had the opportunity to be a part of Tito Nieves' orchestra, and the orchestra of Ramón Rodríguez, directed by his pianist and friend Gilberto Colón (El Pulpo), who was a former director of Héctor Lavoe, sharing percussion duties with Jorge González on the bongo and his godfather Willie Romero on the conga. He then joined the orchestra of the King of Salsa, Mr. Frankie Ruiz.

In 1993, Julio moved back to his beloved island, Puerto Rico, with his family and joined the orchestra of Mr. Luisito Ayala and his PUERTORICAN POWER. Later, he worked with orchestras such as Luisito Carrión, Giro, Jorge Escobar, and Joye Hernández's orchestra. By the end of the year, he joined LA ORQUESTA LA SOLUCIÓN of Puerto Rico, where he remained for 22 years, spending the last two years as a representative and artistic coordinator of the orchestra. During this time, he recorded their last four albums: A Bailar Pa’ Dentro, Alcanzar Una Estrella, 30 Aniversario, and Refreshing, touring almost all over the world, including America, South America, Europe, and of course, Puerto Rico. Currently, he collaborates with various orchestras.

In recent years, he has worked as a producer and musician for several orchestras and independent groups, recording minor percussion, timbales, and bongos, and directing groups such as Rumba Pa’ Rumberos under the label Obra Maestra Records by Rigoberto (Rigo) Rodríguez. This album was highly acclaimed in Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, and Europe. He also contributed to recordings such as Three Boricuas by Mr. Ángelo Cuevas. Surrounded by musician friends and composers, he decided to form his own group, which he called Secreto A Voces (A Secret Among Voices). The group won the 2017 Salsa Revelation Orchestra Award at the Ponce Music Awards. This is a salsa and Latin jazz band for lovers of this music style, with vocalists like his cousin Betsy López, Anthony Martinez (Canta-Autor), and Mr. Sergio Mercado. Currently, his singers are Mr. Fernando Mercado, Mr. Ray Pagán, and his son Giovanni Albino, with guest singers such as Mr. Jaime (Meguí) Rivera, Mr. Melvin (Mel) Martínez, Mr. Nino Segarra, master singer-songwriter Luis Seda, Frankie Vázquez, El Sonero del Barrio, Wito Colón, and Carlitos Santos. His arrangers include Joseph Carbó, Ernestito Sánchez, Edwin Luciano, Nino Segarra, David Forestier, Ricky Zayas, Tony Velázquez, Javier Fernández, Cuto Soto, musician and composer Frank Mangual, Venezuelans Wilmer Herrera, and his great friend, pianist, arranger, producer, and composer Víctor Gamez.

Julito y su Orquesta Secreto A Voces was highly accepted in Europe, topping the charts in Italy, and they appear on two compilations: The First: Noches Cubanas Vol. 26 and the Second: Beginner’s Guide to Salsa Vol. 2, sharing the compilation with bands like Jimmy Bosch, Soneros del Barrio, his great friend Aris Martínez, and many more. They were listed for the Latin Grammys in 2023 and 2024 and have also won several awards, such as Album of the Year 2022 (El Secreto Ya No Es Secreto), Salsa Revelation Orchestra of 2021, and recognition from New York City Assemblymember Edward Gibbs, along with many other acknowledgments throughout their 21-year musical career.

Now, under the label NMJ Animal Music Records LLC by Mr. Wito Rodríguez, they are working on their fourth production. Various songs are already available on all digital platforms under Julio Albino and his Orchestra Secreto A Voces, where you can enjoy the new work from the label, filled with energy, music, masterful arrangements, and videos of their tracks, always with respect for dancers and lovers of salsa music.

“Let’s hope you continue to keep our secret, as only you know how to do it.” Avocesssss… so spread the word!