Oscar Hernandez Oscar Hernandez (born March 22, 1954) is an American musician, musical arranger and producer of Puerto Rican descent. Hernandez’s family moved to the United States from Puerto Rico in the 1940s, in search of a better way of life. They settled down in the South Bronx, which is a section that is heavily populated by Latinos in New York where Hernandez was born. Hernandez who was the youngest of eleven siblings, received his primary and secondary education in the city’s public school system. As a child he was exposed to the music of Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez and Willie Colón among others. He would also sneak into nightclubs to watch and listen to the music of Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri and Richie Ray. Hernandez was determined to leave the ghetto after witnessing the death of one of his brothers. In 1966, he took trumpet playing classes at a local Boys Club. Two years later someone gave his brother a piano, which he kept in the basement of the apartment building where the family lived. Some of the local musicians, who would get together and jam in the basement, showed Hernandez the basics of piano playing, the rest was self- taught. Hernandez began playing with some local bands, among them was Joey Pastrana and La Conquistadora, with whom he made his recording debut with “Don Pastrana”. In 1972, he was hired by Ismael Miranda and after playing with Miranda he went to work for Ray Barretto. With Barretto, he gained experience in musical arrangements and was introduced to the jazz music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Hernandez played an instrumental role in the recording of “Rican Struction”, which is considered as a Latin classic. After six years with Barretto, he met Rubén Blades and joined his group Seis Del Solar. Hernandez enrolled in the City University of New York. His professors were lenient because they understood that he was often on tour, Eventually he earned his Bachelors Degree in Music. Hernandez has performed with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Willie Colón, Oscar D’León and for the groups Libre and Folkorico Experimental. He also produced records for Rubén Blades, Willie Colón, Daniel Ponce, Rafael Dejesus, Eddie Torres and Phil Hernandez. Hernandez was the founder, music director and pianist for the “Spanish Harlem Orchestra”. This came about when he met Erin Videos: Credits: Original Album 2015 Paul Simon Associate Producer Classics The Afrosound of 2014 Composer Colombia, Vol. 2 2013 Earth Rocker Clutch Tour Manager 2013 Los Amos Los Amos Composer Associate Producer, Celeste, The Complete Album Glockenspiel, Horn 2013 Paul Simon Collection Arrangements, Piano, Synthesizer, Vibraphone The Ultimate Hyphy Los Amos de 2013 Composer Collection Nuevo Leon Arranger, Composer, 2013 Viva Africando Africando Piano Los Amos de 2012 Andamos Bien Chuckys Composer Nuevo Leon Homenaje a Mis Michael 2012 Composer Idolos Salgado Original Album 2012 Paul Simon Associate Producer Classics Afro-Latin 2011 40 Acres and a Burro Composer Jazz Orchestra Jazz Loves Marvin 2011 Keyboards, Piano Gaye Associate Producer, 2011 Songwriter Paul Simon Piano, Synthesizer Watch Out! [¡Ten Mambo Legends 2011 Arranger Cuidao!] Orchestra ¡Sonó, Sonó…Tite Tite Curet 2011 Arranger Curet! Alonso 2010 Arriba El Norte Composer Causes Perdues et Bernard 2010 Piano Musiques Tropicales Lavilliers 2010 Mi Niña Bonita Chino & Nacho Composer The Rough Guide to 2010 Composer Salsa Dance [2010] Adaptation, Arranger, Composer, Spanish Harlem Executive Producer, 2010 Viva La Tradición Orchestra Group Member, Leader, Mixing, Piano, Producer All Rhythm – No Menifee Jazz 2008 Composer Reason Ensemble Arranger, Composer, 2008 El Mas Alla (Beyond) Steve Kroon Guest Artist, Piano, Producer I Like It Like That: 2008 Violin Fania Remixed La Isla Bonita: Cool 2008 Piano Latin Jazz 2008 Los Inmortales Composer 2008 Mucho Love Celia Cruz Composer 2008 Pulpo’s Hot Bread Pulpo Arranger Composer, Liner 2007 Fantasia Salsafuerte Notes Wilson For the Rest of Your 2007 “Chembo” Composer Life Corniel, Jr. I’ll Take Care of 2007 Richard Poon Trombone You Sabor Criollo: Serie 2007 Ray Martinez Piano Platino The Essential Paul Associate Producer, 2007 Paul Simon Simon Piano, Synthesizer 2007 Think Global: Salsa Arranger Arranger, Audio Production, Leader, Member of Spanish Harlem 2007 United We Swing Attributed Artist, Orchestra Mixing, Musical Direction, Piano, Producer 2007 Why Deny Marty Sheller Piano, Soloist 2006 Duena y Senora Camarena Bass Adan “Chalino” 2006 Los Inmortales Composer Sanchez Putumayo Presents: 2006 Baila – A Latin Putumayo Composer Dance Party Siguiendo La 2006 Steve Guasch Arranger Tradición 2006 Very Best of Salsa Arranger Eclectic Cafe Composer, Primary 2005 [Thump] Artist 2005 Eclectic Grooves Composer, Writer Essential Guide to 2005 Arranger Salsa Jazz Improv 2005 Companion CD, Vol. 6 Piano No. 2: Blue Wilson 2005 Portrait in Rhythms “Chembo” Arranger Corniel, Jr. 3D Ritmo de Piano, String 2005 Ritmo de Vida Vida Arrangements Arranger, Composer, Member of Spanish Harlem Attributed Artist, 2004 Across 110th Street Orchestra Mixing, Musical Direction, Piano, Producer 2004 El Avión de la Salsa Jimmy Bosch Guest Artist La Salsa C’est Pas 2004 Azuquita Arranger Complique Carlos Main Personnel, 2004 Siboney Barbosa-Lima Piano Supervisor de Tus Liner Notes, Vocal 2004 A. Cinco Suenos Arrangement The Big 3: Live at The Palladium 2004 Piano the Blue Note Orchestra 2004 The Christmas Album Lea Salonga Trombone Associate Producer, Celeste, The Studio Glockenspiel, Horn 2004 Paul Simon Recordings 1972-2000 Arrangements, Piano, Synthesizer, Vibraphone Tiernamente Celia: 2004 Celia Cruz Composer Sus Boleros Back With Sweet Andrea 2003 Arranger, Piano Passion Brachfeld Banda Soy Yo: 14 2003 Julio Preciado Composer Exitazos Coleccion RCA 100 2003 Trío Caribe Composer Anos de Musica Cuban All Stars: The 2003 Best from the Heart Arranger, Composer of Cuba 2003 Diaspora John Calloway Liner Notes El Disco de Oro, Los Terribles 2003 Composer Vol. 2 del Norte 2003 Favoritas Estrella Composer Musica Pa’La Raza, 2003 Composer Vol. 11 2003 New York Latin Jazz Tony Pastrana Arranger Premio Grande Mejor 2003 Composer Album Mexicano Salsa: The Essential Arranger, Composer, 2003 Album Piano 2003 Segunda Funsion Big Circo Trumpet 2003 Sex in New York City Afroditee Arranger The Latin Jazz 2003 Trombón con Sazón Piano Coalition 2003 Tropa de Valientes Ramón Ayala Composer Gilles 2003 Worldwide 3 Producer Peterson 2002 Exitos con Mariachi Chayito Valdéz Composer Hot Timbales!: Out 2002 of This World/Mambo Tito Puente Adaptation of the Times Luis “Perico” 2002 Jamming Piano, Synthesizer Ortíz More I Love Salsa: 2002 Essential Dance Arranger Class Hits Arranger, Composer, 2002 Senor Kroon Steve Kroon Piano, Producer 2002 The Broadway Concert Lea Salonga Trombone, Tuba The Shadow of the Piano, Piano 2002 Gato Barbieri Cat (Electric) Arranger, Assistant Producer, Associate Un Gran Dia en el Spanish Harlem Producer, Composer, 2002 Barrio Orchestra Musical Direction, Musical Director, Piano 3rd Coast 2002 VIP Made Executive Producer Funktion La Familia 2001 A Cutino Composer Valera Miranda Anthology Cubana: 2001 Barbarito Diez Composer Barbarito Diez 2001 Cruz Control Cruz Control Arranger El Mas Grande 2001 Homenaje a Los Assistant Tigres del Norte Four Guys Named Jose 2001 and Una Mujer Named Producer Maria! Homenaje a Chalino 2001 Composer Sanchez [Kimo’s] Conexion 2001 Mambo Nights Arranger, Composer Latina Carlos 2001 Mambo No. 5 Piano Barbosa-Lima Nelson 2001 Pa’ los Treseros Piano Gonzalez Pura Trova: The Best Vieja Trova 2001 of Vieja Trova Composer Santiaguera Santiaguera 2001 Pure Rock Fury Clutch Guitar Technician Salsa Caliente de Nu 2001 Ray Barretto Arranger York! [Music Club] A Love Affair: The Piano, Piano 2000 Jason Miles Music of Ivan Lins (Electric) Buena Vista Social Omara 2000 Club Presents: Omara Composer Portuondo Portuondo Los Terribles 2000 Colgado de un Arbol Composer del Norte Associate Producer, Celeste, Greatest Hits: Glockenspiel, 2000 Shining Like a Paul Simon Producer, National Guitar Synthesizer, Vibe Master, Vibraphone Fender Rhodes, 2000 In My Path Steve Kroon Piano Associate Producer, Celeste, 2000 Japanese Sandman Freddy Gardner Glockenspiel, Synthesizer, Vibe Master Arranger, Musical 2000 Latin Broadway Director, Piano 2000 Libre Increible Manny Oquendo Piano 2000 Live, Vol. 1 Lea Salonga Trombone 2000 Live, Vol. 2 Lea Salonga Trombone Lo Bailado Nadie Me 2000 Azuquita Arranger Lo Quita 2000 Mandali Africando Piano 2000 Son de Melaza Grupo Caribe Arranger Septeto Nacional de 2000 Soneros de Cuba Composer Ignacio Piñeiro Casa de la 1999 Casa De La Trova Composer Trova Cuadernos de la 1999 Habana (Notebooks of Composer Havana) Quinteto Performer, Primary 1999 Cuba Son Seleccion Artist Latina It’s No Secret 1999 Linda Eder Piano Anymore 1999 Lo Mio Carlos Santos Piano 1999 Longina Esther Borja Composer Los Padres del Son Sexteto 1999 Composer Cubano, Vol. 2 Habanero Quien Mato a Hector Domingo Arranger, Director, 1999 Lavoe? Quiñones Piano Accordion, Rafael de Arranger, Director, 1999 Twice as Good Jesus Engineer, Mixing, Piano, Producer 1998 Baloba! Africando Piano 1998 Batemusas Rafael Amor Arranger, Guitar 1998 Mambo Yo Yo Ricardo Lemvo Piano Mongo 1998 Mongo Returns Keyboards, Piano Santamaria 1998 San Bonan Bakithi Kumalo Horn Arrangements Arranger, Piano, The Bronx 1998 Silver in the Bronx Unknown Contributor Horns Role 1998 Soneando Trombon Jimmy Bosch Arranger Summer Solstice, 1998 Piano Vol.