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Search Results for: Rubén Blades

The bass gentleman and a life full of successes

A career worthy of admiration 

José Tabares
The famous bassist

José Tabares, known as El Caballero del Bajo, is one of those figures that, though not so well known, play a very important role in the performances that have left many generations of lovers of good music breathless. This very talented bass player is not widely recognizable by many people, but without a doubt, his musical career leaves more than one open-mouthed. 

José Tabares was born in Medellín, Colombia, on April 6, 1971, but spent much of his life in the United States, where he arrived while still very young and started taking part in music playing his first guitar, which pointed him in the same direction as his father and brothers, who were also professional musicians. 

At 11, he began standing to take his first steps in the musical world by performing for groups of the time in New Jersey, among which we can mention Los Chéveres de Colombia and Los Apóstoles. He became particularly known for bass, but also showed a great skill to play other instruments such as the bongo, the trombone, and the conga. 

Joined projects and inspirations

Poster for the song made by José Tabares and Maya García
Maya García recorded many songs for José Tabares

One of his great opportunities came when he took the place of one of his brothers on bass in one of the groups with which he collaborated, and it can be said that it was at that moment his professional career with this instrument became more serious. It was from that moment on that many of the greatest luminaries of Latin music began to take him into account for their best shows.   

Celia Cruz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tito Nieves, Tito Rojas, La India, Ruben Blades are among the artists with which Tabares has worked. Unquestionably, all these collaborations were golden opportunities that the musician never missed and made him one of the best Latin bassists of today. 

When he has been interviewed, the bassist said that he has been influenced by many other great musicians, from whom he has learned what he knows and whom he has observed closely to get the best out of each of them. Such is the case of Bobby Valentín, whose work has been a very important reference point for the career of Tabares and is the one that inspired him to fully enter the world of salsa. 

We can also mention Carlos Roldan, who became an extremely important reference for the artist due to the so clean way in which he plays his instruments. It was thanks to exponents like this that Tabares was trained on stage in such a great way and raising the name of his native Medellin very high. 

All this inspiration and learning have obviously borne fruit, as the artist has been part of many great musical works which have been nominated and winners of the Latin Music Grammy Awards and a variety of acknowledgments to the effort made. Despite not having such a well-known name, he is still a great pride for salsa and Latin music lovers. It is important not to lose sight of this talented Colombian. 

By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa Magazine in New York City, New York

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Long live music! Repeat after me: “Long live the musicians so they can keep making it”. And I add: “Long live SALSA”.

With a full tank, Transition by Tito Rodriguez, Jr.

Bella Martinez, International Salsa Magazine by the hand of www.SalsaGoogle.com presents and highly recommends this formidable and exquisite production of Tito Rodriguez Jr. The firstborn of the unforgettable Pablo “Tito” Rodriguez.

Long live music!  Repeat after me: “Long live the musicians so they can keep making it”.  And I add: “Long live SALSA”.

As soon as I got my hands on it I listened to it, many times.  Not that I needed an explanation, but I could not stop listening to it and go off to take care of my duties.

So much so that I had to send the radio station of the Puerto Rican salsa singer on vacation for a few days until I finished writing the note that had chosen to write itself.  The CD cover – showing the photo of Tito Rodriguez, Jr. settled on my desk for several weeks as if it belonged to the surface in front of which I sit every day.  Until one fine day I said to myself: Today I hope to be able to understand the instrumental pairing of everything that happens in this piece.

Here I go…

So much so that I had to send the radio station of the Puerto Rican salsa singer on vacation for a few days until I finished writing the note that had chosen to write itself.
With a full tank, Transition (2017) by Tito Rodriguez, Jr.

In the first cut (Bailando con la más fea) there were several bars after the first minute, that transported me to my days of partying in New York during the bravo launch of that orchestra that I haven’t heard for a long time.

Of course, while that orchestra sounded bigger than it was, this one I’m examining today – Tito Rodriguez, Jr.’s – sounds bigger than it is and on steroids; among other reasons because the baritone enhances the personality of this serious sounding arrangement, albeit hand in hand with a jocular lyric.

During the second theme (El vive bien) we experience a very Cuban theme of those that sandungueando the waists of those who follow the leather beats to’ fuete.

Shortly before entering the third minute, the interplay of saxophones and twists in which the baritone and bongo play suggest to me that this song shares the flavorfulness of the pregón that says “Salsa ahí na’ma’ como me gusta a mí…” from one of the tracks on Gilberto Santa Rosa’s production Colegas (2020).  In fact, Gilberto collaborates in this production, specifically in the song Volver.

In the third cut (Ándate nena), the trumpet solo stands out within an arrangement for large orchestra and allows the performance to be sprinkled with conga, marking the nostalgia of the memory of those geniuses that the traditional big bands left us as a legacy.  The saxophones sound like those of the Palladium orchestras.

The 4th track (Volver) is an arrangement where the influence of Bobby Valentín’s inventions is evident.  The track starts like the romantic arrangements of the 1990’s, although with a heavy and dominant piano, prior to the alto saxophone playing that opens the way for the rest of the saxophones in perfect synchrony with the conga, timbal and bongo.  This cut features Gilberto Santa Rosa, although the song didn’t need Santa Rosa to shine.

Tito Rodriguez, Jr. gave way to the most prolific salsa singer in commercial salsa to perform a song that was already the polished diamond of this collection.

Tito Rodriguez, Jr. Timbalero, Arranger, Composer, Producer and Bandleader, Tito Rodriguez, Jr is one of the leading
Tito Rodriguez, Jr. Timbalero, Arranger, Composer, Producer and Bandleader, Tito Rodriguez, Jr is one of the leading

I found it to be a classic big band arrangement with an avant-garde touch where the saxophones give way to a touch of a musical arrangement that wants to be a sonorous orchestra.  However, the perfection of the thing doesn’t let the sonorous touch tuck in the modern big band concept.  Well, I understand myself.  “Afinca y echa pa’ lante…” said Santa Rosa.

In the fifth track (Con el tanque lleno) the orchestra starts off powerful in sound and playfulness.  The song is about a “convertible, colorado y con el tanque lleno”.  The pregón reads: “Soy soltero y con el tranque lleno” (I’m single and with a full tank).  I don’t think you will be surprised when I confess that this is my favorite song in this collection.  The lyrics are funny, but the arrangement is a smashing one.

The conga’s correspondence with the melodic trombone solo by Alex Zapata’s blows sets the stage for a masterful closing by the saxophone ensemble under the leadership of Ismael Vergara’s baritone.

The sixth track (No vale la pena) is evidence of the chameleonic capacity of Sammy Gonzalez, Jr.’s voice, which can be used to proclaim, to sound, to become the most romantic rogativo in the middle of a heavy song, all within a romantic lyric full of feeling.  Well, rarely does a man play the “victim” of a sentimental breakup.

This is one of those few times, a situation that makes the pregones both jocular and nostalgic at the same time.  The contradiction of suffering and laughing is also visited at the end of the mambo, which makes the theme one of general interest in addition to the musical interest it awakens.

The seventh track (Pa ti morena) is a very brave Cuban son.  I don’t know if this son is played in that unlikely combination of the style of Tito Puente, Machito and Tito Rodriguez knowingly or if it was pure chance.  I felt like I was reaching for heaven while listening to Sammy Gonzalez, Jr.’s vocal performance when the alto saxophone solo brought me back to reality.

The beginning of cut #8 (Para los bailadores) marks the change of tempo to an aggressive one where the bongo is the one telling where the baritone is going. When the vocalist suggests to Tito Rodriguez, Jr. to enter the mambo with an anticipatory “y nos fuimos”, no one doubts the greatness of the orchestra’s sound.

The timbal solo by Tito Rodríguez, Jr. declines when the performer requests “mambo otra vez”.  It is in this track that the distinctive sound of this orchestra is most noticeable, one inspired by the traditional big bands, although influenced by the advanced currents.  In short, this is real salsa and it is salsa to enjoy.  As promised in the lyrics, this song brings to the arena a very cool rhythm that is not to be confused with charanga.

After I finished writing this note, having already listened to the complete production, I was tempted to ask Tito for an audience and ask him “a couple of questions” according to me.  That brief call went on and on and I asked him everything I could, taking advantage of the nobility of the timbalero heir to the musicality and name of one of our greatest musical glories….

During the “cañona” that I wanted to call an organic interview, Tito confirmed that Transición is his fourth album and the first to be titled in Spanish.  Let’s go well, Tito.

This album was preceded by Curious? (1978), which featured José Alberto “El Canario” and Rubén Blades; Eclipse (1995) and The Big Three Palladium Orchestra live at the Blue Note (2004).

Why the title Transición?  I’ll tell you about it next time.  Obviously, Tito deserves another chapter in my salsa journey.  Talk to you soon and I’ll tell you about his 2009 adventure when he was in Puerto Rico fulfilling one of his musical dreams.

Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Transición

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

As soon as I got my hands on this album, I listened to it many times. Not that I owed an explanation, but I couldn't stop listening to it and go off to take care of my duties. So much so that I had to send the radio station of the Puerto Rican salsa singer on vacation for a few days until I finished writing the note that I had chosen to write itself.
Bella Martinez “The Irreverent Salsa Writer”.

WebSite: Bella Martinez

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Sonora Ponceña and her 1982 álbum “Determination”

A production that placed “Yambeque” on its first song

Enrique Arsenio Lucca Quiñones (Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 10, 1946), known as Papo Lucca, is a pianist and multi-instrumentalist of salsa and Latin jazz.

An arranger and virtuoso of his instrument, he was co-founder with his father, Enrique “Quique” Lucca Caraballo, of La Sonora Ponceña. He has also performed and recorded with the Fania All-Stars, Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, Bobby Valentin, Ismael Quintana, Gloria Estefan, Adalberto Santiago, Andy Montañez, Pablo Milanés and Rubén Blades.

La Sonora Ponceña is a Puerto Rican orchestra of Afro-Caribbean music founded by “Quique” Lucca in 1954.

Directed by the son of “Quique”, Papo Lucca, it is one of the most important groups of the musical genre

This time we highlight the album “Determination” from 1982, a production that placed “Yambeque” on its first song

Sonora de Ponce, Papo Lucca, Los Gigantes del Sur, Determination
Sonora Ponceña and their 1982 album “Determination”.

A melody from Regla de Ocha to the orishas that brings a rumba within its particular style of salsa and excelling in a solo he “little” Johnny Rivero and the interpretation “Toñito” Ledee.

On the song “Soledad,” it was Yolanda Rivera‘s turn, along with Miguelito Ortiz and Toñito Ledee, where they sing about loneliness and its peculiarities and dangers.

In “Creo en ti,” the arrangement of the ninths and suspended chords on the trumpet harmonies stood out, very well complemented by Yolanda Rivera’s interpretation of this bolero.

The song “Herida cerrada en falso”, lyrics and interpretation provided by Toñito Ledee, where we enjoy the vocal style of this great singer.

The melody that followed on this album was “Date cuenta“: a call to young people who go around playing with hearts.

In “Si la ven”, where the piano solo turned the main line of the melody into a Classical Music Minuet and where we enjoyed the harmonies that were used in the trumpets and flute horn by Juancito Torres.

In “Joldo” Maestro Papo Lucca makes Jazz taking this melody to a more accentuated Latin plane.

In “Aunque te quiero” Songo with Salsa was employed for a sense of harmony and dance-driving, where this melody reflects the heart of the true and full romantic lover, who regrets the love that does not return to him.

In this production we have wanted specially to detail that we counted on Enrique Quique Lucca like Musical Director; to Enrique Papo Lucca like Producer, Arranger, choir and piano; vocalists to Yolanda Rivera, Miguelito Ortiz and Toñito Ledee; in the choir to Edwin Rosas and like guest also in choirs Mr. Adalberto Santiago.

We were fortunate and honored to have lyrics by Adalberto Alvarez, Jose A. Mendez, Toñito Ledee, Francisco Alvarado, Roberto Anglero, Joseito Gonzalez and one with DRA.

This album continued to mark the musical line that we brought and continued to have the privilege of the favor and acceptance of each of our fans, who to this day continue to fully enjoy each of the melodies present in this production.

We say goodbye to you and thank you for your attention, and we will return soon with another release for all of you.

Facebook: Sonora Ponceña

Yambeque

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Luis “Perico” Ortiz Considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

” The Astro ” He is still among Friends

Puerto Rican trumpet player, composer, arranger and producer boricua, obligatory reference of the Puerto Rican and Latin music of the last three decades of the 20th century.

He has cultivated the most diverse styles, from Salsa, through Jazz, to Pop and Bolero. He is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Luis Esteban Ortiz Ruiz, better known as Luis “Perico” Ortiz, was born on December 26, 1949 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. “Perico” was born into the extreme poverty that housed so many families on the Island of Enchantment.

His love for music fueled his dreams, although without imagining the idol he would become, an artist who this year celebrates 55 YEARS of a fruitful career that led him to travel the world and push for more stars.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.

In 1970 he moved to New York, where he began his professional career working with the groups of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Machito and the legendary David Bowie among others, and was a regular collaborator of the Fania All-Star machine, the project of artists that popularized urban salsa around the world and collaborated with the companies Velvet of Venezuela and TH Rodven.

In 1977 he made his first solo recording under the Turnstyle label, a subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp. A year later he established his own orchestra and won the “Diplo” award for best trumpet player in Puerto Rico.

Elsewhere, in New York, “EL ASTRO” was awarded “Trumpeter of the Year, “Arranger of the Year”, “Best Orchestra” and “Musician of the Year” during the Latin New York Magazine Awards held in the Big Apple.

Luis "Perico" Ortiz Considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.
He is still among Friends
” The Astro “

The musician, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, established numerous musical companies such as Sunrise Productions, Perico Records, Dialen Promotions Inc. and Dialen Recording Studios. Also

Dialen Publisher, founded a publishing house with licenses in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

In 1981 he was recognized by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE) as the best exponent of Latin music, an honor he shared with Julio Iglesias. In the following year he received another recognition from the ACE as Best Orchestra in New York.

In the summer of 1987 he wrote and conducted the soundtrack for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

Through his orchestra passed the voices of Rafael De Jesús, Billy Carrión, Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo, although it was with the latter two with whom he reaped the greatest triumphs of his extensive discography: Sabroso, Sabor tropical, In Tradition and El Isleño.

In 1988 he created his own production and recording company: Dialen Promotions, later Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, dedicated mainly to radio and television advertising. That same year he produced and arranged Barry Manilow’s Hey Mambo album.

Luis also worked in the advertising area producing, composing and arranging musical spots for radio and television commercials. In this aspect he did productions for commercial firms Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (Mc Donalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambrú Films, Blaze Productions, John Casablancas/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Canal 47 (TV campaign “Contigo Siempre”), among others.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.
Luis Perico Ortiz

In 1993 he moved to Puerto Rico where he established his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, Inc. with which he began professional production relationships with Disney, Buena Vista Television, There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office.

For Disney Corporation he produces part of the music for the television special “Christmas in the Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the hemisphere. Both projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

In 1995 he toured Colombia to promote the RMM label project, “The Perfect Combination”, performing in four concerts in front of more than 250,000 people who applauded him.

Later he opened with his Latin jazz group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95” and presented lectures, workshops and Latin jazz concerts in Aruba during its Carnival.

In February 1996 he traveled to Europe to perform in concert. A month later he arrived in Venezuela to perform in two concerts at the Poliedro. He produced a new recording for the RMM label, entitled “Café con leche y dos de azúcar”, and inaugurated his new orchestra on National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of more than 25,000 Salsa lovers.

In 1997 he produced for a Japanese record label “Sweet Basil”; a project featuring Yoshihito Fukumoto, former member of the famous Japanese orchestra La Luz, in a recording with ingredients of Latin jazz, R&B, salsa, rap, pop ballad and Brazilian rhythms.

He also produces for the Toshiba-EMI Limited label of Japan the compact disc “Bésame mucho” and for Sony of Puerto Rico “El cuarto Rey Mago”, a Christmas project by singer-songwriter José Nogueras for the multinational.

In 1998 he performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist of Lucecita Benítez. In the same way, he produces maestro Tommy Olivencia for the Polygram label and performs with his great friend, sonero Domingo Quiñones, in a series of concerts at Bellas Artes.

As the end of the century approaches, he releases an instrumental CD with bolero, cha-cha-chá, jazz/pop and salsa songs, entitled “Emociones”. It includes his versions of classics such as “Perfume de gardenia”, “Usted”, “Sin fe”, “Tu pañuelo”, “Silencio” and the Christian hymn “Cuán grande es él”.

With this release, Perico completes a discography that includes some twenty titles among which are “My Own Image”, “Super Salsa”, “One Of A Kind”, “El Astro”, “Sabroso”, “Sabor tropical”, “El isleño”, “Entre amigos”, “La vida en broma”, “In Tradition”, “Breaking The Rules”, “Vuelvo otra vez”, “At Valley Cottage”, “Acaban con tó”, “The Man, His Trumpet and His Music. .Are Back”, “La combinación perfecta”, “Café con leche y dos de azúcar” and “Luis Perico Ortiz – Éxitos Volumen I”.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.
Luis Esteban Ortiz Ruiz, better known as Luis “Perico” Ortiz

Among other awards and recognitions, Perico Ortiz was named Best Salsa Performer in 1981 and Best New York Orchestra in 1982 by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE).

When he was just 10 years old Ismael Rivera was spying on him from a fence (HINT: THIS WORD COULD BE PUT IN ITS MEANING OR ASSOCIATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT A COMMON WORD FOR ALL COUNTRIES) near his rehearsal place in Tras Talleres. He approached him one day and baptized him “Perico” repeating with the battered trumpet he was assigned at the then fledgling Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan the notes of “Quítate de la vía Perico”, a song that would remain engraved in the history of popular music, and in his own.

“He told me, ‘They’re not going to call you Luis Esteban, they’re going to call you Luis Perico Ortiz and you’re going to be great,” he recalled of the second great memory of his musical beginnings. The first was in his home.

Chronological events of more and important interest:

1970-1976, works as a trumpet player, arranger, composer and producer for; Tito Puente, Machito, Mongo Santamaría, Tito Rodríguez, Fania All Stars (and all their artists), Velvet De Venezuela, TH Rodven and Johnny Pacheco.

1977, makes his first recording as a soloist under the Turnstyle label (subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp.).

1978-80 establishes his orchestra. Wins “Diplo” trophy as best trumpet player in Puerto Rico. In New York during the Latin New York Magazine Awards in 1978 he is awarded the following trophies; Trumpeter Of The Year, Arranger Of The Year, Best Orchestra Of The Year and Musician Of The Year.

1981-87, recognition granted in 1981 by the Asociación De Cronistas De Espectáculos {ACE} as the best Salsa/Caribbean Music interpreter, which he shared with Julio Iglesias.

In 1982 he received another recognition by ACE as Best Orchestra of New York. During the summer of 1987 he writes and directs the Score for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

1988-93, during 1988 produces, arranges and conducts Barry Manilow. Hey Mambo” project. In 1988 opens his own production company, Dialen Promotions Inc.

It is the first Puerto Rican company to offer multiple services in the area of production and recording with its own Analog/Midi recording studios.

Through his involvement with his company, Luis is involved in the advertising area producing, composing, sound engineering and arranging jingles for Radio and Television as well as Videos and Film Scoring.

Some of his accounts were: Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (McDonalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambru Films, Blaze Productions, Johnn Casablanca/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Channel 47 Television Campaign-“Contigo Siempre” and many more.

1993, returns to his homeland, Puerto Rico, and immediately establishes his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions Inc.

1994, establishes production relationships with Disney Corp, Buena Vista Television (California), There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office. For Disney Corp.

Produces part of the music for the television special “Navidad En Las Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office, he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the Western Hemisphere. These projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

1995, performs Artistic Tour of Colombia (RMM “The Perfect Combination”) where he performed a total of four concerts to over 250,000 people.

Opens with his Jazz-Latino group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95. Will make his next recording (Salsa) with his orchestra at the end of 1995.

1996, presents lectures, workshops and Latin Jazz concert in Aruba during its Carnival, February goes to Europe for concert, in March will perform in Venezuela for two concerts at the Poliedro, produces his latest production “Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar” under RMM Records & Video Corp, inaugurates his new Orchestra at the National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of 25,000 Salsa lovers.

1997, produces for the Japanese label Sweet Basil an American project (Latin Jazz, R&B, Salsa, Rap, Brazilian Music, Pop Ballad). Artist: Yoshihito Fukumoto (Former musician of the famous Japanese orchestra “La Luz”).

Establishes a new recording division within his company {LPO Productions Inc.}. It is identified as “Suave Instrumental”.

As his first work he releases his first compilation of hits (Luis Perico Ortiz EXITOS volume 1) with the voices of Roberto Lugo, Billy Carrión and Domingo Quiñones.

Produces for Toshiba-EMI Limited (Japan) a CD. Title: “Bésame Mucho”. Produces for Sony José Nogueras (Proyecto Navideño 1997).

1998, performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist for Lucesita Benítez. Produces the master Tommy Olivencia for the PolyGram label.

Performs with his great friend Domingo Quiñones in a series of concerts in Bellas Artes, produces an instrumental CD containing songs of the Bolero, Cha-Cha, Jazz-Pop and Salsa genre, the CD is titled “EMOCIONES”.

Concert and reunion of all its main singers at the Luis Muñoz Marín Amphitheater during the Bacardi World Salsa Fest ’98.

In the year 1999 during the month of January “Perico” visited his second homeland, Panama, where he had the opportunity to perform a concert with the pleasant company of Panamanian musicians and Roberto Lugo on vocals. Exquisite! During the month of March he performed with Arturo Sandoval in a regal concert, it was the first presentation of both of them in Panama.

It was the first presentation of both in Puerto Rico, because they had already performed together in the United States and Europe (NorthSea Jazz Festival * Holland).

In the month of May he performed in the Tributo Histórico a Héctor Lavoe as a guest artist.

“Perico” begins his move from secular music to Christian music serving the Lord, establishes himself as Musical Director of the Levittown Church of the Nazarene in January, establishes the foundation and direction of the Harmony School of Music, opened his recording studio (SUAVE Recording Studio) for the development of his record label “Suave Instrumental” and to attend the needs of other Christian record companies in relation to external productions.

2000, during the beginning of the year Perico further strengthened his commitment with Harmony School Of Music, he released four (4) of his catalog recordings in digital format, they are: Sabroso, Sabor Tropical, El Isleño, In Tradition, with the voices of Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo.

In addiction he released his first solo album, My Own Image originally under the Turnstyle Records label, to Martin Cohen company (Latin Percussion) in digital format.

Perico has just finished his most recent production with guests such as: Domingo Quiñones, Bobby Valentín, Papo Lucca, Cachete Maldonado, Endel Dueño, Elías Lopés, Rafi Torres and much more,the project titled Jamming and released under the AJ RECORDS label.

One of the most important moments in his life was the birth of his first granddaughter ISABEL ANNA, born March 31-2000.

2001, Perico currently serves as Producer and A&R Director for AJ Records (sister company of Casa De Los Tapes), he just finished the production of Tommy Olivencia 40th Anniversary/LIVE.

New projects to be finalized: Ray Barreto {50 Aniversario} & La Ganga. Perico receives for the production Jamming a nomination for the TU MÚSICA awards. He has just produced two (2) productions for the territory of Japan. The artist is Rie Akagi and the genre is JAZZ.

2002, wins the TU MÚSICA award for best Christmas production. Produces “RAY BARRETO LIVE-50 Aniversario”, “Lunna Bohemia”, Los 100 Años de Andy Montañez en Vivo from the Bellas Artes in Santurce, Rie Akagi (Japan) & a music score for a Japanese cartoon.

2003, produces the “Puerto Rican Masters” for TV special and DVD.

2004, produces the first Salsa Gospel Festival, serves as music producer of the show and music producer of the DVD, cultivates his duties as a teacher for the Conservatory of Music in the area of the first Bachelor of Jazz and Caribbean music.

He teaches a Latin Jazz Combo course and a Master Class for the development of musical language, self-esteem, form, analysis, composition and interpretation.

Produces the tribute show to Marvin Santiago before his death. Also produced the DVD, the artists produced were the Puerto Rican Masters, Domingo Quiñones, Oscar De León, Victoria Sanabria, Prodigio & Andy Montañez among others.

Musical production of Objetivo Fama Christmas show & Christmas CD-DVD of the group for UNIVERSAL MUSIC.

2005, produces, arranges and composes the soundtrack for Jacobo Morales’ most recent TV film, “Pa’ Eso Estamos”.

He also produces the CD-DVD of the film achieving an exquisite and aggressive Sound Track work.

For the second consecutive year he is designated as one of the musical producers of the long awaited Christmas work of Banco Popular. He is selected by the program HUELLAS MUSICALES to make a retrospective of his musical contribution.

2006, currently very active with the development of the Jazz and Caribbean Music Department of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Visits Columbia College in Chicago to give Master Classes and concerts with Jon Faddis, Eddie Gómez and the faculty of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.

Travels to France to participate in the Toros & Salsa Festival in Dax during the month of September 9-11. Produces flutist Rie Akagi for Japan.

2007, Perico is officially appointed as Artist in Residence by the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico for the department of Jazz and Caribbean Music, along with the same position are exercising the Masters Eddie Gomez and David Sanchez.

March 18 begins the world tour with his Salsa orchestra, his original singers Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo, his Latin Jazz Big Band and his Latin Jazz Combo, as an important part of his tour, in addition he will be giving Master Classes to Universities and Colleges to work closely with the future musicians of our genre… Latin Music.

2008 Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz is invited to be the Keynote Speaker during the Forty-Fifth Graduation exercises of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

A great honor for “Perico” since he is a former student and his dream was to see Latin music and Jazz studied at the Conservatory. If Pablo Casals could see it….

In addition, Maestro Perico is commissioned by the Autonomous Municipality of Carolina to be the Musical Advisor and Artistic Director of the new PLAZA GIGANTE DE LA MÚSICA to be inaugurated on June 28, 2008 and the International Jazz Festival of Carolina 2008 to be held on August 15 & 16, 2008.

2009, he is invited to be the Musical Advisor of the Carolina School of Fine Arts, in addition he works professionally as Artistic Director of Special Events for the Municipality, he visited for the first time the country of Peru where he performed at the acclaimed festival Chimpum Callao in front of an audience of 42,000 people.

2010, this year is emblematic for Luis as he celebrates his 50th anniversary in music. In January he was honored during the 40th Anniversary of San Sebastian Street with the San Sebastian Award for his achievements along with Roberto Roena.

He visited the Lehman College in New York where he performed in concert with Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo.

Produced and directed the 6th Carolina International Jazz Festival. Performed with Paquito D’ Rivera, Mario Grillo, Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

In November he visits New Mexico for the first time invited as Guest Artist of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, he was invited by Dr. Mariano Morales, in addition he performed with Mariano’s group for a Jazz concert and a Master Class at the University of New Mexico, a historic event.

2011, Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 3rd Bolero Festival in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Guest artists throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were Lourdes Robles, Nydia Caro, Elías Lopés, Braulio, Lilly y su Gran Trio & Trio Los Condes.

During the month of August, Luis becomes the Artistic & Musical Director of the 7th Carolina International Jazz Festival.

The festival is dedicated to the PIANO. The invited artists were Mariano Morales, Luis Marín, Ángel David Mattos, Yan Carlos Artime & Michel Camilo.

Luis performs the second day of the festival with his Big Band and a group of great artists as guests of his orchestra.

December 2 Luis performs as Artistic & Musical Director for the long awaited Carolina Christmas lighting. Artists of the stature of Tony Vega, NG2, Pedrito Guzman, Juan Velez and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico share with his orchestra a historic evening at Christmas in Carolina.

On December 23rd after almost a year of arduous musical creative work, Luis was the composer (11 songs), arranger (9 songs) and Artistic & Musical Director of the most important concert of his career, the Inaugural Concert of the Carolina Children’s Museum, He conducted a Symphony Orchestra (43 teachers) with a Chorale of 30 voices (youth and children) and a corps de ballet of a total of 56 dancers from the School of Fine Arts (Chorale and Dancers), he had the collaboration of teachers Cucco Peña (3 arrangements & 1 composition) & Frankie Suárez (1 arrangement).

2012, served as coordinator of the 4th Bolero Festival of Carolina, Puerto Rico, the artists invited throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Tato Díaz & Dream Team Trio, Las Divas Del Bolero: Mayra Mayra, Jaqueline Capó & Awilda, Paquito Guzmán, Carmín Vega, Orquesta de Elías Lopés, Ramoncito Rodríguez y Los Andinos, Pijuan y Los Baby Bommer Boys, Chucho Avellanet &Lissette.

In August he becomes the Musical Artistic Director of the 8th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the special participation of Arturo Sandoval.

In December, as usual, he returns to produce for Carolina the long awaited Christmas Lighting. The artists were; Ebac, Plenealo, Luis Perico Ortiz Orchestra, Ismael Miranda, Moncho Rivera, Claudio Prodigio, Henry Santiago, Henry Santiago, and many others.

Special artist Victor Manuelle

2013, after 6 years of recording absence, Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz makes one of the most ambitious and complex productions of his career, inviting a handful of friends he makes TIEMPO DE AMAR, collaborating with Luis, Ruben Blades, Andy Montañez, Alex De Castro, Jose Juan Hernandez, NG2, Victoria Sanabria, Ismael Miranda, Jose Nogueras, Danny Rivera, Prodigio Claudio, Giovanni Hidalgo, Rie Akagi and the Ernesto Ramos Antonini APPAOS Symphony Orchestra, also a battalion of the best musicians from Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Cuba, 8 recording studios (Puerto Rico, United States and Japan) represented by excellent engineers perform the recording of this epic work, composers: Luis Perico Ortiz, José Nogueras, Victoria Sanabria, Juan José Hernández, Yan Carlos Artime, Prodigio Claudio and Luciano Quiñones, arrangers: Luis Perico Ortiz, Iván Rodríguez and Luis García.

A dream come true, the sale of this epic was donated in its entirety for the benefit of children with cancer through the San Jorge Children’s Foundation. The production took nearly a year to complete.

Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 5th Carolina Bolero Festival in Puerto Rico.

The artists invited during the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Máximo Torres, Iris Chacón, Lalo Rodríguez, Pete Bonet, Rafael José, Meñique and the Orquesta de Elías Lopés.

In August produces the 9th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the participation of: bEscuela De Bellas Artes de Carolina, Alex Ayala Trio,

Edwin Clemente 3D ZONE, David “Piro” Rodríguez, Justo Almario,

Luis Perico Ortiz Latin Jazz Big Band and guests.

In November he travels to Venezuela for two Jazz (Big Band) concerts as special guest of the famous Venezuelan trumpet player Yturvides Vilchez.

He returns in December to produce the Christmas 2013 Christmas Lit with the participation of EBAC, Barreto y su Plena y su Orquesta with his guests: Papo Sánchez, Pedro Brull, Domingo Quiñones and Victoria Sanabria, in addition the closing was in charge of Joseph Fonseca.

2014-2020, “Perico” continues as advisor and Artistic Director of Special Events for the municipality of Carolina.

Discography of Luis “Perico” Ortiz

  1. My Own Image, Sello Disquero Tunstyle
  2. Super Salsa, Sello Disquero New Generation
  3. One Of A Kind, Sello Disquero New Generation (GOLD)
  4. El Astro, Sello Disquero New Generation
  5. Sabroso, Sello Disquero Perico Records #320 (GOLD)
  6. Sabor Tropical, Sello Disquero Perico Records #330
  7. El Isleño Sello Disquero Perico Records #340
  8. Entre Amigos, Sello Disquero Collector Series #527
  9. La Vida En Broma, Sello Disquero Perico Records #350
  10. In Tradition, Sello Disquero Perico Records #360
  11. Breaking The Rules, Sello Disquero Perico Records #370
  12. Vuelvo Otra Vez, Sello Disquero DPI Records #400
  13. At Valley Cottage, Sello Disquero Polystar (Japan)
  14. The man, his trumpet and his music are back, Sello Disquero DPI Records #410
  15. La Combinación Perfecta, Sello Disquero RMM-SONY (Artista Invitado y Arreglista) (Platinum Sales Award)
  16. Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar, Sello Disquero RMM Records & Video Lanzamiento Mayo 1996
  17. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 1, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 197
  18. Emociones, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 198
  19. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 2, Sello Disquero Suave instrumental # 1982
  20. Jamming, Sello Disquero AJ Records
  21. Déjalo Entrar (artistas invitados, Alex De Castro, Domingo Quiñones y Roberto Lugo), Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental
  22. Cristo Esta En Victoria, Sello Disquero Suave 2507
  23. Tiempo De Amar (2013) Suave 6388

Luis Perico Ortiz is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Companies

Dialen Publisher

Dialen Promotions

LPO Events. P. S. C.

Address

San Juan Valley

Plaza Bohío SJ 19

Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. 00976

Contacts:
(787) 602-0048

www.facebook.com/perico59

luis_perico_ortiz_official

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.luispericoortiz.com/

Services
Artistic Presentations
Orchestras: Salsa and Latin Jazz (from Combo to Big Band)

Musical Arrangements

Online Classes

Compositions

Trumpet Recording and Recording Producer

Artistic Advisor for Special Events

How to cite this article:

Ruiza, M., Fernández, T. and Tamaro, E. (2004).

Biography of Luis Perico Ortiz.

In Biografías y Vidas.

The online biographical encyclopedia. Barcelona (Spain).

Retrieved from https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ortiz_luis_perico.htm

El Astro, Sello Disquero New Generation
Luis Perico Ortiz “El Astro”

Home

Understanding the music business

By: Eduardo Guilarte.

Why are so many artists broke

The mystifying extravagant language of music disseminates passions in a land the written word has never known.  Music fulfills two major human needs, the need for self-identity, and to be accepted, to belong.  Freud- “adopting the model of another is the psychological process of Self-Identity”. That T-shirt with “Rolling Stones,” is broadcasting “these are my values” does anyone out there feel the same?

Music identifies and defines our values. When music is sold, there’s a lot more being sold.  Your values are what is sold. Your musical selection makes you predictable.  Madison Avenue advertising was excited, with needs there are opportunities. Not much different than “sex sells.”  Well, music sells.

The merchants learned the art & science of anchoring. Take the Pepsi / Michael Jackson commercial.  Story says, that Pepsi offered Michael $15 million dollars for a commercial.  However, Michael set conditions.  He refused to tell people to drink Pepsi, wouldn’t hold the product in his hands, the product could not appear in the same frame as Michael.  Pepsi agreed to all the conditions.  Michael appeared performing, followed by series of fade in and out.  Michael never appeared in the same frame with Pepsi.  The commercial was a resounding success, shot with Michael Jackson performing, then a series of fades-in/out.

Technology is changing music

Technology is constantly changing industry and the world.  Look at taxis.  A New York taxi medallion was selling for $250,00 to $500,000, then Uber happened.  An application with a better formula.  Uber gave better security, women could work as drivers, no exchange of money, work the hours you choose, response time greatly reduced, and a great contributor to the reduction of unemployment.

Another example of technology at work are applications like Shazam, Sound hound, Hound, Spot search.  You hear a song playing and you want to know the name and artists.  Apart from giving you the information for free, what it is really doing is gathering data for the industry.  These apps are really telling the industry who and what is popular with the people.  It’s a guide to very current trends.

The dot com era revolutionized the music industry. In 1999, Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker, developed MP3 file sharing. Napster, with 80 million users taught a new way of consuming music. Universal, Warner and Sony who control 80% of western music were furious.  Lawsuits were filed, arguing copyright infringement and pirating. Although a 9th circuit Federal judge blocked Napster, the door was now open.  Through that door entered Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, You Tube Music, Pandora, Google Music and others with music streaming services.

First equipment for entertainment
record player, television and radio

There has always been a music industry.  The 20th century invention of the radio, television and record player redefined the industry.  Those inventions became the start of what we call today the music industry. A multi-billion-dollar industry. Commercializing music is very different from being a minstrel.  Two very different animals.

The world’s leading contemporary music institution, recommends that if you want to go into the music business, you take a year off and study the “business.”   ICE, Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, offers online or on campus programs to learn the business. Berklee College phone +1617 266-1400.

It’s an understatement when they say that “how the music industry works and how the money is distributed, is very hard to understand.”  Publications on the subject are:

  1. All you need to know about the Music Business by Donald S Passman, top music attorney Harvard Law. Reputed to know his business but he doesn’t go into music streaming which is what happens now.
  2. Music Money and Success by Jeffrey Brabec & Todd Brabec, twins, tracs the flow of money, using real examples. Not an easy read but it goes in depth.  Todd was executive VP for ASCAP for more than 30 years
  3. Artist Management for the music business by Paul Allen, as the importance of labels diminishes, the manager’s role is more important.
  4. Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business by Fredaic Dannen, it has become the unofficial history of the pop music business. Journalist who investigated the behind-the-scenes activity of the major labels in the 70’s and 80’s.  Reporting excess, greed, ruthless practices, struggle for money and power and bitter rivalries between biggest labels at the height of the industry.  However, he is heavily criticked by former CBS head Walter Yetnikoff.

The first order of business is understanding the elements that go into making a song.  Author of the lyrics, composer of the music. A trademark is not a copyright.  Examples of what you can copyright are novels, poems, photographs, movies, lyrics to a song, musical compositions in the form of sheet music, sound recordings, paintings and more, like software code for a website or code for an application.

Once the work is created you acquire rights, often referred to as the bundle of rights. They are the right to:

  1. To reproduce including phonorecords, physical or digital format
  2. Prepare derivative works based on the original
  3. Distribute and sell copies of the work, or rent, lease or transfer ownership.
  4. To perform the work
  5. To display
  6. Audio transmission publicly or digital

These rights are yours regardless of filing a copyright.  However, you should copyright the song.   17 U.S. Code §106 is where you will find the copyright law that talks about the bundle of rights that the bill gives to copyright owners.  At www.Copyright.gov you can create an online account and register your song. A publisher promotes the song, gets it added to musical libraries, pitches it film, radio, television, etc.

Logo copyright
Copyritht

Anyone who uses your work, including streaming, must pay mechanical royalties.  So, who will collect the royalties for you? Performance Rights Organizations/Societies are tasked with getting you your money.  ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SOUND EXCHANGE, Descarga.com, Kobalt Music are some of the PRO’s.

In the United States the government has predetermined mechanically the royalties.  Any artist can record your song under the law of “compulsory licenses.”  They must put the author on notice of intent and pay the royalties.  As an example Simon Diaz wrote and composed “Caballo Viejo.” Many artists recorded their own versions, like Roberto Torres, Celia Cruz, Ray Conniff, Ruben Blades, and Placido Domingo. Simon Diaz

The power of the major labels usually dictated who became a star and who got sent home. Not always though, we hear that Shakira auditioned for Sony and was told to go home, that she didn’t know how to sing.  They also passed on “The Beatles” losing an incredible fortune.  It was common for artists to throw themselves at the feet of the labels signing predatory contracts.

We hear of advance money being paid if the artist signed.  These were contracts that indicated 15% of the record sales to the artist and the other 85% to the label.  However, the contracts had clauses in which the artist sold the ownership copyrights, and agreed to pay many costs, which resulted in the 15% being reduced beyond zero, resulting in an artist in debt.

How money moves in contracts
Flow Chart

Historically Major Labels have had the funds to commercialize new talent and pay advances.  Yet, technology is again making changes and opening new doors to the artists. Artists are using Social Media to create a following for their music. Kobalt is the world’s leading independent music services company.  Founded by Swedish musician Willard Ahdritz, Founder & CEO who says that old model is on the way out.  Kobalt was ahead with its technology.  In 2017 it reported representing over 25,000 songwriters, 600 publishers, and 20,000 independent artists.  On average over 40% of the top 100 songs both in US and UK. Kobalt’s global technology platform is uniquely able to track and collect royalties for the billions of micro-payments per song in digital music today  [email protected]

 

 

 

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.