Ricky González

Ricky Gonzalez is a multifaceted artist : producer, composer and renowned pianist , is often forgotten that it is also a singer , vibraphonist , percussionist and bassist talent. He worked with the biggest names in and jazz from the early 90s. Today is not requested and then will take to know the reason .

Born in , he put his hands on percussion at the age of three years. The music did not stop since! The young prodigy makes his first piano ranges fourteen. And the most amazing thing is that it is already a pro at fifteen! Migrants to the United States , integrates nineteen Ray Barretto ‘s orchestra in 1983. After studying composition at the ” Juilliard School ” arranger polishes his training in the ” City College ” (New York) . There he studied with jazz player Ron Carter and the Pulitzer price winning composer David del Tredici .

In 1989 , participates in the “Third Annual Latino Pianos in Concert” , next to , Michel Camilo and other famous pianists.

As a musician, up to the platform of most festivals of jazz and Latin music world : the “North Sea Jazz Festival ” in Holland , the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Jazz in Marciac and Tempo Latino in France , and many others in Europe, , Caribbean, Canada and the United States. He has worked with George Benson , Dizzy Gillespie, , Gilberto Santa Rosa , Willie Colon, , , Dave Valentin , Jennifer Lopez , , Jose Mangual Jr , Ray Sepulveda and many others. It is said that his improvisations alongside Paquito D’ Rivera have left the audience open mouth . He has also played with the Fania All- Stars Festival “JVC Jazz” . In recent years, we have seen on tour with Marc Anthony , manager keyboard and vocals. When you see the worldwide success of the orchestra Marc Anthony , you can imagine the impact on the reputation of the pianist.

His collaboration with Ray Barretto this recorded five albums. Five discs where, besides the role of pianist , has been entrusted the arranger. His role as arranger was awarded in 1990 with the nomination for the ” Grammies ” of two of his albums In The Heart Rhythm (Ray Barretto / Celia Cruz) and Irresistible (Ray Barretto , 1989). It’s ” Rhythm In The Heart ” which won the award .

In Rhythm In The Heart (Ray Barretto / Celia Cruz) , five themes were arranged by Ricky Gonzalez in which: ” Rhythm on the heart ” and ” Bambarakatunga ” . In Irresistible , he was in charge of piano and synthesizer and arrangements of all the songs except ” Night in Tunisia .

Always in his role as arranger, he worked with Frank Sinatra, George Benson, the Fania All- Stars, José Alberto “El Canario” , , Immensity Orchestra and many other Latin or jazz orchestras.

Ricky Gonzalez was selected in 2001 for ” The Soneros del Barrio ” to be the musical director of the second album of the band: “Remembrances ” . Consisted of select songs in adequacy with the style of the orchestra, help in arranging and recording the album . A sudden death of Martin Arroyo ( pianist and musical director of the 1st album) , Ricky Gonzalez is taking charge of training. After the 3rd album ” the tradition ” , places the fourth CD and makes touring orchestra with pianist paper .

If one of the pianists and arrangers in major Salsa , Latin - jazz and RnB is not limited to that occupation and spends much of his time to the production. His field of activity ranges from Latin music to Hip- Hop, from jazz , classical music , funk , … Lately , there has been a roaring success producing “I Like it Like That ” by Tito Nieves who was at the head of all the charts ( both major companies that have taken the issue to advertising campaigns) .

For fall 2004 , the largest event in the career of Ricky Gonzalez is the output of its own first CD Oasis.

Author and composer of most songs, he sings and engage your friends Herman Olivera, Jose Alberto “El Canario” , Johnny Pacheco , Orestes Vilato , Luis Quintero , Jimmy Sabater and Frankie Vázquez . Small wonder …

His career makes the admiration of the public and their peers.

Their last concerts in France : the September 11, 2004 with The Neighborhood in Soneros Toros y Salsa Festival ( Dax ) 22 octobre 2004 with Ray Barretto at the Elysée- Montmartre ( Paris) 23 octobre 2004 in Marseille with Ray Barretto

Do not miss to attend , is a talented musician with an attractive personality .

Click on the 1st picture to see her smile which is one more reason to attend their concerts.

Some of their collaborations :

Conjunto Clasico , Ray Castro ‘s Classic (1997 ) – Flores Dominic , Soy Como Soy (2002 ) – piano Domingo Quiñones , Poet and Warrior (2000 ) – piano Luciano Emo , Emo Luciano (1995 ) – piano Jimmy Bosch, Salsa Dura (1999 ) – piano arr. Jimmy Sabater and Son Boricua (2001 ) Johnny Rivera, Our Own Style José Alberto “El Canario ” Different (2001 ) – piano José Alberto “El Canario” , Wounded (1999 ) – piano José Alberto “El Canario ” On Time (1995 ) – piano José Alberto “El Canario” , Then And Now (2004 ) – piano and arrangements Immensity Orchestra , Dejala That Sound (1990 ) – Flowers Pete ” El Conde” Rodriguez , Generations (1993 ) – Flowers Raulin RosendoLo Maximo ! – arrangements Ray Barretto, All power is gone (1984 ) – piano Ray Barretto, Here You Can (1987 ) – piano Ray Barretto, Irresistible (1989 ) – piano and arrangements Ray Barretto , Celia Cruz , Rhythm in the Heart (1988 ) – piano and arrangements Ray Barretto, ‘m Happy (1992 ) – piano and arrangements Ray Sepulveda , Coming Up (1997 ) Tito Nieves , Dale Cara A La Vida (1998 ) – Piano, bass, keyboards , vocals , drums Tito Nieves I Like It Like That (1997 ) – Arrangement , percussion

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