Search Results for: Oscar D' León

El Cerrito Studio

North America / San Francisco / California

The Cuban sound, mixing and mastering engineer, winner and multiple times nominated for the Latin Grammy Award, Oscar Autie together with his wife, producer and composer, Kenya Autie gave life to the most ambitious project of their lives, they established in the area of San Francisco bay, CA, one of the best and most recognized recording studio, mixing, mastering and production, El Cerrito Studio.

A recording studio equipped with the most advanced technology and equipment, three rooms of recording and a control room completely isolated acoustically treated to achieve a quality work for all styles and musical genres.

Oscar Autie was born in La Habana, Cuba. Since 6 years old he played the acoustic guitar and his formal musical training began at 9 years old through private classes.

Oscar studied musical composition, arrangements and production at the National School of Arts of Cuba (ENA) where he graduated with a Degree in Guitar Interpretation. He also trained in drums and piano, and holds a degree in Electronics and Acoustics in a Technical School in La Habana.

When he was 20 years old and while living in Cuba, Oscar worked as a Recording Engineer at EGREM (main recording studio and music distributor in the capital at that time). He was also the Sound Engineer during the Tour of prestigious Cuban bands, such as: Isaac Delgado, Síntesis and Arte Vivo, and at the National Theater of Havana. He provided sound engineering for live shows by world-renowned artists such as: Oscar De Leon, Astor Piazzolla, Sierra Maestra and Silvio Rodriguez, among many others. In addition to all this, this wonderful musician recorded many albums during his stay in this AfroCaribbean country.

This voting member, engineer from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy) and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Latino), a voting member of the P & E (Wing of Producers and Engineers), and member of the Audio Engineering Society moved to the US in 1992 in search of more advancement opportunities. Once installed in California, the talented Oscar Autie has been working on live performances, recording the mixes and mastering albums of a large number of industry musicians such as the nominees and winners of the Latin Grammy: Yalil Guerra, Mister G, Yosvany Terry, Diego El Cigala, Paco De Lucia, Fito Paez, and Mayito Rivera (Van Van) among other personalities of the artistic guild.

Integrants El Cerrito Studio - Photo — Integrants El Cerrito Studio – Photo

Also, he has been Technical Director and Sound Engineer for the prestigious Flamenco Festival of Bay Area since its inception in 2005. Oscar is currently recording and producing other albums for other artists.

In the other hand, the Cuban producer, Kenya Auntie studied guitar at the Conservatorio of Guanabacoa in La Habana and she was the first woman to play the guitar in a rock band on the island, being an inspiration figure for other women with the same musical interest. Kenya has participated in the production of projects such as: Arise Above Abuse, Clave:

Chamber Music, Vol. VI, Stand Before The Systems and Presidential Suite. Currently, this composer and co-owner of El Cerrito Studio continues to contribute her skills in projects with upcoming releases.

El Cerrito Studio operates under the label of El Cerrito Productions, a record company of licenses, promotions and publications. They make reservations to Artists from all over the world and from all styles of music.

They perform recording, mixing, mastering, production, composition, arrangement, transcripts, and promotion.

This studio represents the experience, creativity and professionalism that have made it stand out as one of the best recording studios in the San Francisco area. Prominent companies such as: Leap Frog, The Warner Brothers, Beyond Translations and Playsongs have made their recordings there. In addition, Deepak Chopra recorded and mixed his most recent album and book “Home” in this studio.

“I have been working as an engineer since my first 20 years. Engineering is a passion for me. I love music and being an engineer allows me to be part of many interesting and meaningful musical projects …” Oscar Auntie.

To more information, please visit http://www.elcerritostudio.com/ or like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/elcerritorecords/

So that you know something more about the DJ. Jaime Guanipa, the Vinyl of Salsa

Jaime Guanipa was born in December 1966 in Caracas, Venezuela, originally from Sarria, belonging to the parish of La Candelaria, growing up in two areas in my early years, between Sarria and Alta Vista in Catia, Parish of Sucre, also in Caracas.

His first tangible experience within Latin music called “Salsa” thanks to the Venezuelan “PHIDIAS DANILO ESCALONA” who gave him this label that has immortalized the genre.

For my memory it was in 1973 with the premiere of the film “Nuestra Cosa Latina” and the SALSA Movie in different movie theaters in our city, where through its soundtrack I was impacted, thus generating a definitive taste in the musical field, fertilized by it wanting to be more extensive and thus achieving in subsequent years a broader knowledge within the Latin American Culture in this concept.

Subscriber to absorb like a sponge everything related to the environment and listening to the Radio where greats of knowledge moderated, to which I can name our Venezuelans and experts and moderators in different AM Radio stations for the time in Caracas such as, Phidias Danilo Escalona, Floro Manco, Enrique Bolívar Navas, Héctor Castillo, Rafael Rivas, among other great broadcasters, achieving a very solid understanding within the majesty of salsa.

He was able to define that by 1979, already having the concern to share and make the most of our Latin music heard within parties both family and friends, he made comments and selection of music from the acetate records that were in said meetings, this being a cult for the distinctive passion for what was already defined as the path to being a Salsa DJ in 1982.

Subscribed to technology and the true art of the moment, which is the research, the study of the genre and the credits of his albums, which logically were and are in LP format.

Generating in this way a breeding ground for musical experimentation and selection, it is from this moment referring to the date that my experience and exchange of criteria between friends who throughout these years have followed me and accompanied me within this passion was unleashed, having successes as a salsa musician in extinct venues in the city of Caracas for the years 1985 to 1990.

Then later in 1993, I temporarily retired due to family responsibilities, but without ever abandoning my passion for musicalization and research of the genre both here in my country Venezuela and abroad, by the year 2008, I decided to resume after a very reasonable time my most significant taste for salsa music, by the time obtaining many new bastions but with their due time of seniority within the genre, evolving distinctively in terms of its versatility and exponents.

I would like to point out that for me it is not a challenge, since due to the concept gained and maintained, it has given me a very preferential position within the taste of the salsa dancer and the dancer that I call demanding.

Experience gained due to being surrounded at the right time by great friends who love the salsa genre, many of whom I share today, reason for this and subscribed to current technology and its ease of access makes it possible for me to masterfully give the dancing public what they really want and desire at each meeting, event and party.

Without a doubt, before this I present an interactive referential synthesis of my passage through this exciting world as it is and I define “Salsa Musicalization in the Caracas nightlife. Thank you for your interest in this humble servant.

It is not just a photo with an LP, it is an image with a history, in 1981, I remember when I rode my bike in Sarria and many times in Guaicaipuro, where two friends Sergio and Napoleon lived. The latter had Sansui sound equipment in his house that sounded excellently well, we listened to endless hours of irreverent Salsa full of rhythmic diversity.

It's not just a photo with an LP, it's an image with a story Orquesta La Critica — It’s not just a photo with an LP, it’s an image with a story Orquesta La Critica

One day he said to me “Gordo” let’s go to Paradise and we went to listen to where Oscar D’Leon has his house and they rehearse there, so I told him let’s go and we listened in Machado alley not only to the regular rehearsals of Oscar’s Orchestra but one day in particular it was “LA ORQUESTA LA CRITICA”.

I particularly heard two songs that I remember with great specialness, such as “A EL” and MONTA MI CABALLO, where the quality and function of the ensemble were majestic, full of cadence, exceptional harmonics, the brass voices and the accompaniment between bass and piano were evident.

I remember seeing Larry Machado, Teo Hernández, José “Cheo” Navarro, and Flaco Bermúdez on several occasions during a chronologically dispersed period of time. I never saw Oscar, I never saw this character despite hearing his voice on several occasions.

In conclusion, an anecdotal experience that I will never forget, since it is not only having a record, but the history and the experience that it contains, which is what remains and is transmitted, the passion and the good fellowship before the Demanding Dancer, I hope you liked this little anecdote that I share with you, dear friends. Demanding, I hope you liked this little anecdote that I share with you, dear friends.

Dj. Jaime Guanipa Since 1982

Caracas – Venezuela.

Jaime Guanipa passed away in Caracas on February 27, 2023.

Excellent Venezuelan music lover, researcher, disseminator and DJ of Afro-Caribbean music.

I contribute in a simple way the best of the true art of entertainment and salsa music in the city of Caracas-Venezuela.

Also Read: “Djane Shina” a passion turned into reality

Jhon Semeco

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Musical rhythms always attracted and encouraged Jhon Semeco, from a very young age, at the age of 9 he entered the Venezuela Children’s Choir and later the Rondallita, by then he was already singing on television and recording albums, however, his passion was Salsa which is one of the rhythms that he liked the most.

He mentions that “Salsa won among all the musical rhythms because it is in the blood and in the genes, we are Latinos with warm blood, we grew up with flavor and tumbao, it is impossible not to move our feet to the rhythm of a tumbao, the chapeo of a timpani, to the mark of the key and the mintune of the piano, impossible not to give in to the cadence of the bass, the trill of the metals and the voice with the feeling of a singer”.

He was listening to Rubén Blades, Willy Colon, Héctor Lavoe, Latin Dimension, La Salsa Mayor, Ismael Ribera, Estrellas de Fania and the Venezuelan trabuco, among other well-known salsa groups and artists.

Jhon Semeco with Luis Enrique, Juan Carlos Perez Soto and Fernando Osorio

The artist career is a long and difficult path that they follow, but few achieve success and it is thanks to their great will, struggle and desire to be recognized for their music that they manage to perform, in addition, Jhon Semeco refers that the support and encouragement of moving forward was given to him by friends, artists and colleagues, in this way he achieves perseverance, dedication, determination, seriousness, professionalism, study, love and passion for what he does, thus achieving respect and credibility, thus obtaining the convening power in this music environment.

He is currently creating a new Salsa Romántica album, which he will call “Propias y Ajenas”, this arises at the request of his friends and colleagues, since after writing for many artists and orchestras such as La Dimensión Latina, La Salsa Mayor, Los Satélites , the Combo de Venezuela, The Sopranos, Marcial Izturiz, Wladimir Lozano, among many others…

Decided to sing his songs, accompanied by great composers whom he admires and respects, and whom at some point he saw very far away and today life rewards him by being his friends, giving him the opportunity to interpret his songs, they are nothing more and nothing less than Jorge Luis Piloto, Pedro Azael, Yasmil Marrufo, Alfredo Matheus 10, Juan Carlos Pérez Soto, Enrique Barrios, and Luis Romero, all GRAMMY winners.

It is worth mentioning that they are the ones who write for stars like Marc Anthony, Luis Miguel, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Enrique, Franky Ruiz, Roberto Roena, Jerry Rivera, Olga Tañon, Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi, Cristina Aguilera, Ricky Martín, Cristian Castro , Carlos Baute, Prince Royce, Gloria Estefan, José Feliciano, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Mariah Carey, Oscar de León, José Luis Rodríguez, Paulina Rubio, and other well-known artists. Now Jhon with his new album has the privilege of singing songs composed by himself and songs by his friends thanks to friendship and mutual admiration.

Jhon Semeco - Cover — Jhon Semeco – Cover

“Propias y Ajenas” will have 1 song for each of them, and the rest are songs of their own written with all their heart, most of them are experiences lived or seen in others, this is how the title of their album came about.

We asked him to know what he recommends to all the new talents who are in the process of training and who are in the arduous struggle to stand out in this environment, and this is how he replied:

“I recommend that you study, that you prepare, that you listen and learn from the best, whatever your musical style, that you say NO to mediocrity, that you have personality and not a copy of another, that you understand that putting on a hat reverse, dark glasses and chains does not make them an artist, that they strive to make good music and not songs with repetitive rhythms and lyrics”

For more information, you can contact him through:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rumbandajhon
Correo: [email protected]

Jhon Semeco - soundtracks tv novels — Jhon Semeco – soundtracks tv novels

Jose Bello, The Salsa Tycoon

North America / USA / New York

Jose Manuel Bello Suazo, better known as José Bello “El Cantautor”, a Dominican artist of international stature with several awards and achievements worldwide.

Jose Bello, born on April 6 in the city of Santo Domingo, who from an early age showed a deep love for music, making his first performances in kindergarten and elementary school. As a teenager, he moved to New York where he met Carlos Castillo, a member of internationally known bands such as Machito y su Orquesta, Joe Cuba y su Sexteto, Tito Rodríguez y su Orquesta. From that moment on, Bello formalized his start in the world of music by forming “El Sexteto Latino” together with Carlos Castillo.

Baila que Baila is known as his first musical recording with maestro Julio Gutiérrez, after that he recorded four record productions with the owners of LA CHARANGA AMERICA. His first full-length album emerged in the 70’s, with the record company “Lo mejor records” with songs of his own inspiration. But, it was in his third record production, where he decides to add songs with a title in another language, entitled “Blue Bossa”

José Bello manages to start his own record label in partnership with Mr. Aldemar Barona, who titled it “B&B Records Presents José Bello”, containing compositions by both members. In the fifth record production, which was established as the owner Jose Bello, El Cantautor, where only the La Salsa Magnate’s own productions are found.

After that, it was decided to record the first DVD recorded live in the city of Medellin, Colombia, becoming known around the world.

In the last 10 years, José Bello has taken his music to all parts of the world, receiving great acceptance from the European, American and Latin American public. Sharing the stage with great personalities such as Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar D’Leon, Marc Anthony, Tito Nieves, among many more.

At International Salsa Magazine, we were able to chat with this incredibly talented artist.

Below is the interview:

How was your first presentation? Did you know after that that music would be your passion?

In the kindergarten of the La miraculous school they had parties and they had a stage where I sang constantly and even had choirs that accompanied me and also acted, since I can remember, my passion is music.

How did you and Carlos Castillo meet? Did you know about his career before?

I met Carlos Castillo, because my mom lived in the house next to him and she talked to Carlos’s mom about me and they both agreed to introduce me, I had no idea who he was, until I met him.

What inspired you to compose those songs?

The experience of life and the gift that I always knew I had to compose, at any time.

Tell us a little about Aldemar Barona, what year did you decide to start with the label?

My great friend Aldemar Barona always went to my presentations and when the contract ended with the best record, we decided to make our own record label in the late 80s, early 90s.

Was this performance during a tour? What album were you promoting? Where could that DVD be purchased?

Exclusive record. He hired me to make that DVD in the mid 90s and you could get it online, or at the Musical 90 record store in Jackson Hghts Queens New York

All these artists are well known worldwide and having been able to share stages with them speaks volumes about your incredible talent and career. Which of these artists would you say is your greatest inspiration or example?

As I said before, my inspiration is a divine gift, I love all my colleagues very much, I respect and admire them, some started before me, others are from my generation and others became famous after my love, and I respect music, They have moderated me as I am and have led me to feel fulfilled in what I do, blessed and immensely happy.

Where would you like to present yourself in the next opportunity?

I would like to personally take my art to some countries that I have not visited to this day, such as Mexico, Peru, Panama, Canada, Japan, Chile, and Argentina.

What comes next in the life of José Bello, El Cantautor?

Make my new recording, already as JOSE BELLO EL MAGNATE DE LA SALSA 40 ANIVERSARIO and finish negotiating my next tours, to Central Europe and South America.

Where does his nickname El Magnate de La Salsa come from?

On July 23, 2017, I married the designer Patricia González on the largest luxury yacht in New York called “Infinity”, around 2000 people and with two orchestras. Tito Nieve with his orchestra and my orchestra. The ceremony was on the high seas.

Jose Bello, Jose Bello, The Salsa Tycoon — Jose Bello, The Salsa Tycoon

When in Mexico they found out about my marriage, they wrote to congratulate me and told me “Now you are the salsa magnate” I was surprised and asked them why? and they told me “Only Arab Magnates get married on the high seas on a luxury yacht” I liked the idea.

I always hear that in music there are kings, princes, knights, but there are no tycoons and I think that because of the explanation of the Mexicans, I am the tycoon of salsa.

Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte, master of the piano and musical composition

Eusebio Enrique Iriarte, “Culebra Iriarte, was born on January 24, 1947 in Maiquetía, in the Republic of Venezuela.

Enrique Culebra Iriarte, master of piano and musical composition

In his childhood, Enrique Iriarte was already taking his first steps in the musical world with his father, who played several instruments.

His name was born in the Sonora Caracas thanks to the vocalist Johnny Perez when he discovered the thinness.

After his incursion in this world, with the inherited talent and the permanent updating and musical practice, has allowed him to treasure a long trajectory full of experiences next to orchestras such as La Sonora Caracas, Federico y su Combo Latino, El Sexteto Juventud, Don Filemón, in the beginnings of La Dimensión Latina for 10 months.

He also accompanied Oscar D’León on piano, for whom he also arranged his songs, among which are: “Mata Siguaraya”, “El Manicero”, “Siéntate Ahí”, “Mi Bajo y Yo”, “Mis Hijos”, “Juanita Morei”, “María”, “Ven Morena”, among many others.

In 1981 he recorded his first long-playing record, standing out with the song “La Ola Marina”, a piece that reached the first place in the music scene. It is worth mentioning that this album earned him a platinum record.

With more than six decades of artistic career, this Venezuelan virtuoso has left an indelible mark on salsa, collaborating with great artists such as Oscar D’León. During his career, the experience gained in iconic groups such as: La Dimensión Latina, Sonora Caracas, Federico y su Combo Latino, among others.

Currently, he continues to perform with his Sonora and has already become an internationally recognized musician.

Enrrique “CulebraIriarte Icon of Salsa is declared Illustrious Son of La Guaira and Cultural Heritage of Venezuela.

“Mr. Felo Bacallao Founder of the Aragon Orchestra, we are very proud to have as Cultural Heritage this distinguished MUSICIAN Maestro Enrique Culebra Iriarte”.

Reconocen trayectoria de “Culebra” Iriarte

September 28, 2019

The outstanding Guairean musician and arranger Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte was honored for his career, being considered one of the best salsa pianist, in an event held in the auditorium of the Bolivar Chavez Square.

Iriarte has stood out as a member of orchestras such as La Sonora Caracas, Federico y su Combo Latino, Sexteto Juventud and Don Filemón.

He was one of the founders of Dimensión Latina, the group that paid tribute to him yesterday and with whom he shared in some of the interpretations made by Rodrigo Mendoza, José and Edie Pacheco.

Culebra accompanied Oscar de Leon for many years as arranger of many of his songs.

The Mayor’s Office of Vargas presented him with the Armando Reverón order, within the framework of the municipal program “Forjadores y Forjadoras de Identidad Guaireña”, which seeks to exalt the work of men and women from Guaire.

Culebra Iriarte's trajectory recognized — Culebra Iriarte’s trajectory recognized

“This is an emotional act with the presence of many musicians of the region, friends and relatives of Iriarte, to exalt the legacy that for years has given us this extraordinary musician. This is the twelfth award to people who have marked the local history”, said Alexis Rumbo, secretary of municipal government.

Percussionist Augusto Felibertt relates: exactly from 1997 to 1999 I was in the ranks of Maestro Enrrique ¨Culebra¨ Iriarte and his Sonora playing the Tumbadoras, at that time the founding members were:

Enrrique ¨Culebra¨ Iriarte: Pianist, Musical Director and Arranger, Eli: Bassist.

Juan Pablo Barrios: Timbalito, Campana and Bongo, Larry Machado: Singer, Perla Tabata: Singer, then Maritza De Quisquella, Cesar Pinto: 1st Trumpet, Yenny: 2nd, 3rd Trumpet a special guest, substitute percussionists: Yomar Mendez (Caballo) and Heyzer Cabrera.

Tremendous experience lived with all these musicians. Fabulous.

Note: The rehearsal studio at No 41 in Caño Amarillo-Caracas.

Augusto Felibertt y Enrrique Culebra Iriarte Foto en Rincon Caribeño

Cheo Navarro, Naty and El Maestro Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte Respected Masters and indisputable referents of the sound of Salsa and its history in Venezuela!!!!!

It has been for me immensely pleasing to share and receive with them this valuable recognition from SALSA SUPERIOR INTRNACIONAL!

Enrrique “Culebra” Iriarte, Alfredo “Guajeo” Naranjo, Dj. Augusto Felibertt, Elio Pacheco, Cheo “Bailatino” Navarro and Joseito Rodriguez 2nd Edition of the International Award 2022 by Richard Roman Director and Founder of Salsa Superior Miami.

Enrrique “Culebra” Iriarte, Alfredo “Guajeo” Naranjo, Dj. Augusto Felibertt, Elio Pacheco, Cheo “Bailatino” Navarro y Joseito Rodríguez 2da Edición de la entrega de Reconocimientos

Also Read: Eddie Palmieri brought salsa for the first time and live from Sing Sing Penitentiary in New York