Session Pianist and Arranger

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I worked on the album Templo de Agua with my friend Carlos Urribarri. My job was to record all the piano tracks. I am proud because it was his first record and was nominated to Pepsi Music Awards on Best Jazz Album, Best Jazz Song and Best Jazz Artist of the year 2023.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am arranging and recording keys for clients arround the world and in Venezuela.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Singer, songwriter and guitarrist Jose Angel Lopez.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital opens the door to a world of possibilities and comfortabilities. But I am more of acoustic and natural sounds.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will give a top quality music performance. I will work closely with you, open to all suggestions and careful to your revisions.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating new music and collaborating with other musicians. Soloing and improvising are one of my favorite things to do. I bringing ideas to a complete and whole piece of music production or sheet.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Music background: I share my experience and show them a demo if needed. Delivery: Time deoends on amount and difficulty of work. Recording is delivered on MIDI, mp3, aif, wav or any audio format. Transcription on pdf or sibelius 7 format. Project file on Logic Pro X format.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: Finish projects overnight. Read the clients mind and know exactly how he wants the song to sound. Expect me to do a whole song production: that is a team job where it is best recommended to have another person master/mix the song with a fresh listening. Sell or market the song. Give a quick and top quality delivery on a stingy budget.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What exactly do you want me to do?: Record a specific instrument, transcribe a specific piece of music, arrange or help in the process of composiiton. Do you have music sheet or need one?: If you have please share, if not I can make it for you based on the melody reference. Are you working alongside other musicians or just me? In how much time do you need this to be done?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Know what you are looking for and be willing to share your ideas just as you hear them in your head. Maintain a clear communication of your expectations and be open to suggestions and let the music find its own way without forcing things too much or looking to recreate another artists projects. Give music time and give priority to music sheet before producing, that will give a clearer idea to the band.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: A keyboard, an acoustic guitar, an electric bass, acoustic drums and latin percussion.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have been playing the piano for more than 18 years as I started when I was 8 and from then onwards I studied music and learnt to play other instruments specially in the church context. Having a professional career in Venezuela has allowed me to expand my musicality to western pop, latin, african and classical influences and performance opportunities. I have developed composing abilities since I learned to play and once I learnt to arrange and play other instruments I have embraced the world of producing and seeing music as a whole and going beyond the piano. Playing in different settings from piano solo, duo, trio, church bands and big bands have given me the experience to know each instruments part and role in performing music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I consider my style to be world music oriented. My composition is minimalist when it comes to melody, harmonically diverse and rhythmically I stay with swing and funk. While improvising I seek to be very intentional on the genre and not so virtuous.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Snarky Puppy because of their diversity in music arrangement and instrumentations. Composing alongside Jacob Collier would be an enriching experience for his creativity. Producing with Tony Succar would be amazing for his latin fusion. Playing with Richard Bona would allow me to go through all genres of jazz and world music in one night.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more. Keep it simple. Hear it before you play it.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Jazz, Pop, Ballads, Latin, Funk and Gospel.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Whether its recording piano or arranging, I focus on giving life the original motif of the song by harmonizing appropriately, keeping the right groove and transmitting the composer's emotion and message.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whether its recording piano or arranging, I focus on giving life the original motif of the song by harmonizing appropriately, keeping the right groove and transmitting the composer's emotion and message .

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 1. Communication: Have a clear idea from the client of what they want, need or expect. 2. Definition: Set the main structure of the song in terms of music score/sheet, genre and song sections. 3. Creation: Work on the performance of the recording with several takes. 4. Revision: Dedicate time to listen closely and correct the details. 5. Final Review: Give the client enough time to review the production as a whole and consider the mastering, equalization and sound effects.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My homestudio: I work with on Logic Pro X with a Yamaha 650B Grand Piano using MIDI and different VTS and pluggins. I use an M-Audio M Track 2X2 Interface for acoustic guitar (Hoffner steel string) and vocals.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Snarky Puppy, Israel Houghton, Jacob Collier, Guaco, Ole Børud, Juan Luis Guerra, Brian Culbertson, Michel Camilo, Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans, Cory Henry, John Mayer, Olafur Arnalds, Moonchild, Gabriel Chakarji, Richard Bona, Tony Succar.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Record piano and synths. Transcribe music. Arrange songs.