Oscar Hernandez
Encyclopedia
Oscar Hernandez is a Puerto Rican musician, musical arranger and producer.
in the 1940s, in search of a better way of life. They settled down in the South Bronx
, a ghetto
, 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.
, 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.
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 DeLeon 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.
". This came about when he met Erin Levinson, a music producer who had a contract with Warner Brothers. The idea of forming a group came about and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra was born. The group received a Grammy Award
nomination in 2002 for "Best Salsa Album, a Billboard Award in 2003 for "Salsa Album of the year and in 2005 a Grammy Award for "Best Salsa Album".
Oscar Hernández, Piano
asked Hernandez to arrange and produce the music for the Broadway musical "The Capeman", which is based on the real life story of Salvador Agron
. His work also required that he be the Musical Director and Conductor. Hernandez was the Musical Director and arranger for the theatre shows "Quien Mato a Héctor Lavoe
" (Who murdered Héctor Lavoe) and "La Lupe".
Hernandez played piano on the theme score for the HBO television series Sex and the City
. He has also written the musical score for some of the commercial jingles for various companies, among them: Dunkin Donuts, Waldbaums, General Motors and Covergirl.
, Danny Rivera
, Ray de la Paz, Claudette Sierra and Frankie Negrón.
Early years
Hernandez's family moved to the United States from Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in the 1940s, in search of a better way of life. They settled down in the South Bronx
South Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
, a ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
, 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.
Early musical influences
As a child he was exposed to the music of Tito PuenteTito Puente
Tito Puente, , born Ernesto Antonio Puente, was a Latin jazz and Salsa musician. The son of native Puerto Ricans Ernest and Ercilia Puente, of Spanish Harlem in New York City, Puente is often credited as "El Rey de los Timbales" and "The King of Latin Music"...
, Tito Rodríguez
Tito Rodriguez
Tito Rodríguez was a popular 1950s and 1960s Puerto Rican singer and bandleader. He is known by many fans as "El Inolvidable" , a moniker based on his most popular interpretation, a song written by composer Julio Gutierrez.-Early years:Rodríguez , born in Santurce, Puerto Rico,...
and Willie Colón
Willie Colón
William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:...
among others. He would also sneak into nightclubs to watch and listen to the music of Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican jazz musician.-Early years:Barretto was born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent...
, Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri , is a Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican pianist, bandleader and musician, best known for combining jazz piano and instrumental solos with Latin rhythms.-Early years:...
and Richie Ray
Richie Ray
Ricardo "Richie" Ray is a virtuoso pianist, singer, music arranger, composer and religious minister known for his success beginning in 1965 as part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz...
. Hernandez was determined to leave the ghetto after witnessing the death of one of his brothers. In 1966, he took trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
playing classes at a local Boys Club. Two years later someone gave his brother a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, 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.
Recording debut
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 MirandaIsmael Miranda
Ismael Miranda a.k.a. El niño bonito de la Salsa is a composer and a singer of salsa music.-Early years:...
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
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music of Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
and Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
. 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
Rubén Blades
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres...
and joined his group Seis Del Solar.
Hernandez enrolled in the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
. 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
Tito Puente
Tito Puente, , born Ernesto Antonio Puente, was a Latin jazz and Salsa musician. The son of native Puerto Ricans Ernest and Ercilia Puente, of Spanish Harlem in New York City, Puente is often credited as "El Rey de los Timbales" and "The King of Latin Music"...
, Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American salsa singer, and was one of the most successful Salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums...
, Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
, Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra is a singer, songwriter and producer from the Dominican Republic who has sold over 30 million records, and won numerous awards including 12 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Latin Billboard Music Awards...
, Willie Colón
Willie Colón
William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:...
, Oscar DeLeon 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.
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Hernandez was the founder, music director and pianist for the "Spanish Harlem OrchestraSpanish Harlem Orchestra
Spanish Harlem Orchestra is a Latin dance music orchestra based in the United States, founded by Aaron Levinson and Oscar Hernandez.Their debut album was released in October 2002...
". This came about when he met Erin Levinson, a music producer who had a contract with Warner Brothers. The idea of forming a group came about and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra was born. The group received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination in 2002 for "Best Salsa Album, a Billboard Award in 2003 for "Salsa Album of the year and in 2005 a Grammy Award for "Best Salsa Album".
Recordings
Hernandez has participated in the following recordings:- Africando "Balboa" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Africando "Gombo Salsa" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Roberto Torres & Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ray Barretto "Fuerza Gigante" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ray Barretto "Rhythm of Life" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ray Barretto "Rican/Struction" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ray Barretto "Tomorrow" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ray Barretto "Tremendo Trio" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Agua De Luna" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Buscando America" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Caminando" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Escenas" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Live" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Love & Control" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades "Nothing But The Truth" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rubén Blades/Willie Colón "Tras La Tormenta" - Oscar Hernández, Producer
- Richie Cabo "Paisaje Musical" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Carabali "Vol. 1" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Carabali "Vol. II" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Conjunto Libre - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Conjunto Libre "Con Salsa Con Ritmo" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Conjunto Libre "Libre Increible" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Rafael DeJesus "Twice As Good" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Linda Eder "It's No Secret Anymore" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Flex "Flex Y La Rumba" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- 4 Guys Named Jose - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Grupo Folklorico Experimental "Vol. I & II" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Juan Luis Guerra - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Juan Luis Guerra "Areito" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Illegales "Dame De Eso Remix" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Earl Klugh "Midnight In San Juan" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Steve Kroon "In My Path" - Oscar Hernández, Arranger/Piano
- Latin Broadway - Oscar Hernández, Music Director/Arranger
- Latin Jazz Highlights "Messidor Records Vol. 5" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ricardo Lemvo y Maquina Loca "Mambo Yoyo" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ivan Lins "Love Affair" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Kirsty MacColl "Electric Landlady" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ismael Miranda "Asi Se Compone Un Son" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Ismael Miranda "No Voy Al Festival" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Luis "Perico" Ortiz "Breaking The Rules" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Luis "Perico" Ortiz "In Tradition" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Johnny Pacheco "Sima" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Daniel Ponce "Chango Te Llama" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Domingo Quinones "Quien Mato a Héctor Lavoe Cast Recording" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez "Este Negro SI Es Sabroso" -
Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez "Pueblo Latino" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Tito Rodríguez "Eclipse" - Oscar Hernández, Arranger/Piano
- Mongo Santamaría "Mongo Returns" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Seis Del Solar "Alternate Roots" - Oscar Hernández, Co-Leader/Producer
- Seis Del Solar "Decision" - Oscar Hernández, Co-Leader/Producer
- Paul Simon "Songs of the Capeman" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Paul Simon "The Capeman Original Cast Recording" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- James "J.T." Taylor "A Brand New Me" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- The Bronx Horns "Catch The Feeling" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- The Bronx Horns "Silver In The Bronx" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Eddie Torres "Dance City" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
- Dave Valentin - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Dave Valentin "Mind Time" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Dave Valentin "The Hawk" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Dave Valentin "The Pied Piper" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Dave Valentin "Tropic Heat" - Oscar Hernández, Piano
- Orlando "Watussi" "Como Nunca" - Oscar Hernández, Producer/Arranger
Broadway musical "The Capeman"
Musician Paul SimonPaul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
asked Hernandez to arrange and produce the music for the Broadway musical "The Capeman", which is based on the real life story of Salvador Agron
Salvador Agron
Salvador Agron The correct spelling of his surname in Spanish is Agrón. But the biography by Jacoby, his personal friend, uses the americanized spelling Agron exclusively throughout...
. His work also required that he be the Musical Director and Conductor. Hernandez was the Musical Director and arranger for the theatre shows "Quien Mato a Héctor Lavoe
Héctor Lavoe
Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez , better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe was born and raised in the Machuelito sector of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Early in his life, he attended a local music school and developed an interest inspired by Jesús Sánchez Erazo. He moved to New York...
" (Who murdered Héctor Lavoe) and "La Lupe".
Hernandez played piano on the theme score for the HBO television series Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
. He has also written the musical score for some of the commercial jingles for various companies, among them: Dunkin Donuts, Waldbaums, General Motors and Covergirl.
Later years
Hernandez, who is married with children, continues to be active with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. He arranged the music for the documentaries "If the Mango Tree Could Speak" by Pat Gaudvis; "Angelica tiene un Bebe" by Paula Heredia and "Cuban Roots/Bronx Stories" by Pam Sporn. In 2009, Hernandez directed the recording of Songs of the Capeman with the participation of Obie BermúdezObie Bermúdez
Obie Bermúdez , is a Puerto Rican-American R&B/Salsa singer and composer.-Early years:Bermúdez was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico into a family who loved music. His father and grandfather were both musicians. He received his primary education in the town of Aibonito, however in 1992 the family...
, Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who was born in San Juan whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is well-known in Puerto Rico for his political activism.-Musical career:...
, Ray de la Paz, Claudette Sierra and Frankie Negrón.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- For other people sharing the same name go to Oscar Hernandez