Federico Ramos COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY (January 2007) Federico Ramos Breathtakingly unexpected, like a was involved with flamenco music. hypnotic calling that provokes curiosity Nevertheless, he formally studied classical and the awakening of senses to the listener guitar at the Real Conservatorio of Madrid is musician and artist Federico Ramos. during the five-year residency. Federico's identity as a composer, guitarist His unceasing interests eventually brought and producer is the result of his endless Federico to the United States of America. endeavor into the art of music. In his Formal studies were continued first at the works, Federico's inner peace and outward Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts dynamics are also revealed, as they and later in California at the Guitar summon the richness of artistic Institute of Technology (MI). In Valencia, expressions from diverse cultures. at the California Institute of the Arts, he Born in the picturesque town Treinta y was the recipient of full scholarships. In Tres, Uruguay, Federico began his studies due course Federico obtained a Bachelor's in Montevideo, capital of the country. Degree in Fine Arts and also became a However, his drive for musical knowledge Professor at the California Institute of the and experiences guided him to pursue Arts. worldwide studies. The musical roots of his When Federico arrived to the United States ancestors first directed him to the in 1980, soon began expanding his musical Southern Coast of Spain and while residing and cultural spectrum. He settled in Santa in Sevilla and Jerez de la Frontera Federico i 01 Federico Ramos Monica and continued to develop his As a member of Eternal Wind, Federico also agreeable professionalism and his skillful participated in the recording of Metamusic, musicianship. also written and conducted by Dr. Lateef exclusively for his quartet. Later on, in 1995, In the eighties Federico co-founded Eternal the work The World at Peace of Yusef Lateef Wind, a band whose music style was and Adam Rudolph (Eternal Wind) characterized by boundless expressions of Come Back Inn with John Pisano performed by 12 musicians, was released by improvisational compositions of world Meta Records. This live performance at the sounds. Eternal Wind recorded several With Milton Nascimento, Jazz Bakery of Los Angeles features Federico 1989 albums that were released by the Chicago playing acoustic, electric and midi guitars based Flying Fish Records Co.. Soon, Eternal throughout the session as well as his Wind toured extensively with Doctor Yusef performance of percussion instruments and Lateef, who then wrote and composed two African kudu horn. symphonic works intended to be performed Ramos, Struntz y Farah and recorded by Eternal Wind. One of them, In 1990, Federico Ramos, Eduardo Márquez the African- American Epic Suite for Quintet Del Signore and Bernardo Rubaja worked in and Orchestra was recorded in Germany a debuting ensemble of compositions and with the Köln Radio Orchestra in 1993, and performances. High Plateau fused ancient released in Europe by ACT Records. folk traditions of South America with a sophisticated array of influences spanning With George jazz, pop, avant-garde and classical music. and Olivia Harrison 02 i Federico Ramos The instrumental textures and harmonic tints of their native cultures offered a unique and personalized style. Their recorded work Newland, was released by Narada Productions, featuring Mark Isham on trumpet, Alex Acuña on drums and percussion and Steve Fowler on flutes. In 1991, Federico was introduced to the Englishman and pioneer artist Jon Anderson of the legendary progressive rock group “Yes”. The chemistry created between these two artists consolidated their creativeness on several recording projects. Subsequently, the Windham Hill releases of Deseo, Toltec, The Best Of Jon Anderson-South America 1993 and Deseo Remixes followed. Federico toured as lead guitarist on Jon's Latin American tour of nine countries in 1993. In Belo Horizonte, Eternal Wind - Los Angeles Times Brazil, Federico was guest guitarist performing with Milton Nascimento, Simone i 03 Federico Ramos and James Taylor, for a benefit presentation During the year 1994, Federico contributed in the fight against hunger, Natal Sem Fome his musical talents as co-producer on the (Christmas Without Hunger). project “Heart of Brazil” with Dionne At that point, Federico's artistic Warwick in the recording of Brazilian Artist development transcended into a need for Eliana Estevão. welding his years of musical apprenticeship As co-founder of the unprecedented group of a myriad of cultures with that of his native Hecho en México, Federico bestowed to the country. The Uruguayan drummer José Luis creation of a transcendental musical Pérez, also following a similar path, joined listening pleasure. Hecho en México's music Federico to create Pérez & Ramos. Their was a junction of pre-Columbian sounds of magnificent work Flip Flop expressed a instruments and language with other contemporary improvisational music based contemporary musical expressions. primarily on the Uruguayan rhythms of Other past collaborations include recordings candombe and African rhythms blending and performances with the following artists: tango, Brazilian melodies and jazz. Federico USA: Jackson Browne, Lionel Ritchie, Jon and José Luis double their primary Hassell, Mark Isham, Norman Connors, instruments with keyboards, vocals and Charlie Haden, Ahmed Abdul Malik , Scarlet other instruments. Flip Flop had rave Rivera, Cecil McBee, Billy Childs, Freddie reviews after released by World Alchemy Hubbard, James Newton; BRAZIL: Milton Records in February 1994. Nascimento, Moacir Santos, João Noguera, 04 i Federico Ramos Martinho da Vila, Geraldo Azevedo, Jose compositions. Notably, the collaboration with Roberto Bertrami; INDIA: L. Subramaniam, Michael Feinstein was nominated for a Ustad Zakir Hussain, Amiya Dasgupta; Other: Grammy. The Savage Rose's disc “For Your Faramaz Assef (IRAN), Cheb Mami Love” was granted the Gold Sales Award in (ARGELIA), Maynard Ferguson and Ashley Denmark in 2002. The recording of “En Vivo Maher (CANADA), Jorge Calandrelli Desde el Auditorio Nacional” with Mexican (ARGENTINA), Luis Pérez Ixoneztly and Joan superstar Joan Sebastian was awarded the Sebastian (MEXICO), Foday Musa Suso Grammy for the 2006 best live disc. Also (GAMBIA), Akin and Fahir Atakoglu released in 2006 was a DVD of the Latin (TURKEY), Struntz & Farah (COSTA RICA and American Tour with Jon Anderson. For 2007, IRAN),Wilkins and Ritchie Gajate Garcia an educational disc for DW drums under the (Puerto Rico), Camilo Sesto, Julio Iglesias, guide of Alex Acuña includes a vast array of Trigo Limpio, Paloma San Basilio, Lola Flores, Latin American styles. Los Marismeños and Mocedades (Spain). In 1995 Federico again joined talent and North Star released Calido's Tropical Nights in creativeness with Uruguayan drummer José the year 1994. The duet of Federico and Luis Pérez and Uruguayan bassist Eduardo guitarist Ramón Stagnaro featured melodic Márquez Del Signore (Jon Anderson's Latin songs with subtle syncopation and superb Band). The Trio found in the combination of arrangements offering to the listener an array their spellbinding sounds the name of Ritual of exotic rhythms of Latin and Spanish and the compact disc Presencia was released by i 05 Federico Ramos Amazone Records. Presencia was presented in Montevideo, in the Teatro Solís in July 1997 with a multitudinous audience and sold out tickets. The Uruguayan people applauded these musicians with a heartfelt welcome. Ritual traveled to Montevideo accompanied by their guest artist, pianist, composer and producer Tommy Eyre, the Englishman that had arranged Joe Cocker's version of “A Little Help From My Friends”. Federico Ramos and Alejandro Blanco on Stage From 1996, Federico's artistic field expanded and he was in demand to engage in different work projects, collaborations and special guest performances. Among these musical productions Federico's highlighted participations are: Cielo y Tierra: Heaven and Earth, Warner-México 1996, with Jon Anderson, performing acoustic guitars and choirs; Pippo Spera: Someone, Amazone Records 1997, acoustic guitars; Drifting, Vision International Inc. 1997, guest guitarist; Adam Perez - Valenzuela - Ramos - Fowler - Marquez 06 i Federico Ramos Rudolph's Moving Pictures: Contemplations, Meta Records 1997, acoustic guitars, charango, oud, bamboo flutes; Cayambe: Influences, Andes Inc. 1997, guitars; Cayambe: America, Andes Inc. 1998, guitars; Heart & Soul, North Sound Music Group 1999, flamenco guitarists (with individual performances also by Ramón Stagnaro and Adam Del Monte), soloist guitars, composer and arranger. During the early months of 1997, Sony Music Rigoberta Menchu and Federico Ramos contracted Federico as producer of Alexis Peña 's recording project. For this occasion Federico convoked the participation of renowned musicians such as Alex Acuña and Alphonso Johnson (“Weather Report”), Alex Ligertwood (“Santana”) and Tommy Eyre (B.B. King, George Michael, Gary Moore). In February of 2001 “African American Epic Suite” by Dr. Yusef Lateef with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. With Dionne Warwick, 1997 i 07 Federico Ramos Federico also has participated in movies and television's soundtracks such as “The Blue Iguana” (Polygram Films 1988), “The Fistfighter” (Mecamerica 1989), “Crackdown” (Concorde Film 1990), “Raging Angels” (New Image 1994), “School Spirit” (TNA/New Horizon 1995), “Night Hunter” (Concorde Film/New Horizon 1995), “Under the Hula Moon” (Periscope Pictures 1995), “Steal Big Steal Little” (Paramount Pictures 1995), Hercules (KTLA 1995), The Larry Sanders Show (HBO 1996), Terry Plumeri's “Deadly Ransom” (Master Film International 1997), “Ambushed” (HBO 1998), and many more. As a session player on selected TV and Films Federico also worked with Hans Zimmer (DreamWorks 1999),“The Road to El Dorado” and for Danny Elfman on the soundtracks of “Proof of Life” and in 2006 with “Nacho Libre”. Also with famed composer James Horner in “The Legend of Zorro”. 08 i Federico Ramos Federico Ramos www.federicoramos.com design by: creative mediafarm www.creativemediafarm.com.