Ismael "Esy" Morales (1917–1950) was a Puerto Rican musician, flutist, and bandleader, the brother of the more famous pianist Noro Morales. After moving to New York, he established himself on the Latin music scene thanks to his virtuosity and a distinctive style on the flute, characterized by trills and onomatopoeic sounds that imitated the calls of tropical birds. His most famous track, "Jungle Fantasy," became an international success and a classic of the mambo and Latin jazz genres. Leading his orchestra, he recorded for the RCA Victor label and appeared in several film productions, including the film noir "Criss Cross" (1949), where he performed his signature piece. His career, though brief due to his premature death at the age of 34, established him as one of the most influential flutists in the history of Afro-Cuban music, helping to popularize Latin rhythms in the United States.