Hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, Berklee's Latin American Music and Business Club organized an industry panel event with five of the most influential professionals in the Latin music scene.
Organized by the initiative of three Music Business and Management Majors, Daniel Diaz, Javier Samayoa, and Roberto Jimenez, and joined by thirty other Berklee students who traveled from Boston, panelists talked with students in small groups about the challenges of the market, trends in the industry, and shared advice on preparing to join the profession.
Jose Godur - President of Union Records Music Group (Berklee alumnus)
Hispanic-American Jose Godur was born in Miami Beach, Florida. After many years as a local musician, he began studying sound engineering before attending Berklee College of Music in 1991. Jose was among the first group of graduates from the Berklee Music Business and Management program. He graduated in 1995. During his years at Berklee, Jose Godur had the good fortune to work throughout the summer and holiday breaks at Estefan Enterprises in Miami, the multi-music business empire overseen by Emilio and Gloria Estefan. This was the beginning of his professional music industry career. Right after graduation, his leads and contacts originating from his time with the Estefans led him to begin an eight-year career with the Warner Latin Music Group. Here, Jose began as the East Coast Sales Manager. Within three years, he was named National Director of Sales. In 2003, Jose moved on to Lideres Entertainment Group, a music company with strong ties within the Universal Music group and the Univision Network. In April of 2006, Jose decided to leave Lideres Entertainment to join forces with longtime friend and Latin music publishing expert, Ricardo Ordonez, to create what today is the very first independent Latin record label distributed by WEA Corp., Union Records. Jose Godur is President and has ownership status of Union records, a Latin music and entertainment company. Union Records is a multi entertainment company who not only is a Latin record label, but also is involved in music publishing, artist management and concert presentations. Currently, Union Records manages the career of one of South AmericaŐs top singer-songwriters, Juan Fernando Velasco, whose U.S. and Puerto Rico record debut launched at retail stores on April 17, 2007.
Elsten Torres, known as Fulano - Cuban singer/songwriter
Latin pop underdog Fulano was born Elsten Torres in Cuba, though like many Cuban families Elsten and his family soon relocated to New York City. Elsten demonstrated an interest and affinity for music early on, and in his teens began forming and playing in original bands. His skills as a singer/songwriter began to emerge, taking center stage in 1992 when he co-wrote and produced his first Latin alternative album, Ataque, which was released in Mexico. Two years later Torres moved to the Latin music mecca of Miami. He formed a group he called Fulano de Tal, which wasted no time recording their debut record for BMG, Normal. In 1997 Torres was signed to Warner/Chappel Music Publishing as a writer, offering Torres other inroads to the recording industry. Fulano de Tal's 200 follow-up release, Etc, was met with critical acclaim. While writing hits for artists like Michael Stuart, Enrique Iglesias, and Obie Bermudez, Torres was also creating new repertoire for and working on repackaging his band. In 2006, Torres released Individual as a solo artist under the name Fulano. That record went on to be the only independently released album to be nominated for a Best Latin Pop Album Grammy in 2006.
Sebastian Krys - Multiple Grammy Award-winning Producer
Argentinean Producer & Engineer who has worked with Carlos Vives, JD Natasha, Obie Bermudez, Rabanes, Marc Anthony, Shakira, Jeremias, and Gloria Estefan. He has won 4 Grammy Awards and 5 Latin Grammy Awards. He has recently produced an artist named Jimena Angel for Juanes' Record Label, 4J. He is interested in working with real musicians and artists.
Oswaldo Rossi - Director of Legal & Business Affairs, EMI Latin
Mr. Oswaldo Rossi is the Director of Legal and Business Affairs for EMI Music Latin America, where he negotiates, structures and drafts recording, production and license agreements for EMI Televisa Music ('ETM'), the U.S. based Spanish-language record company of Capitol Music Group. Mr. Rossi reports directly to the President of ETM, who has recently broadened Mr. Rossi's duties to include oversight responsibility of major frontline releases such as the forthcoming album by Grammy Award winning and RIAA Platinum certified recording artist Vico C, as well as internationally renowned D.J. Tony Touch. Mr. Rossi recently produced a Christmas album for ETM entitled, 'Universidad Navidena', which features recordings of holiday classics by jazz and choral ensembles from various collegiate music programs such as Berklee College of Music, the University of Southern California and the University of Miami to name a few. Mr. Rossi is also an adjunct professor at Florida International University where he teaches music business at both the graduate and undergraduate level.
Pedro Guzman Valez - A&R Universal (Berklee Alumnus)
Born in Dominican Republic, Pedro Guzman attended the National Music Conservatory in Dominican Republic at age 14. As a young musician, he toured and played extensively as a bass player for many local acts until 2000 when he decided to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He graduated in 2003 with a Diploma in Professional Music and interned for Sony Music in 2004. Pedro got hired as an A&R for Sony ATV Music Publishing 2004-2006 and during this time he has signed and worked with artists such as Alexis y Fido, Tito El Bambino, Rakim Y Keny, among others. Now as A&R for Universal Music Latino Pedro Guzman has the opportunity to work with a roster that includes Luis Fonsi, Enrique Iglesias, RKM Y Ken Y, „ejo, Dalmata, DJ Nelson, Adassa, among many others.
Following the Music Business Panel, Karen Bell, Berklee's Director of Alumni Affairs, welcomed alums to the first annual Alumni Event.
Representing 35 years of graduating classes, attendance was generous, and the enthusaism high. Clearly the Miami community is ready for a regular Berklee presence.
Diego Acosta, Sebastian De Peyrecave, Dan Thompson, Rob Jaczko, Ivan Valles and Shafik Palis
Studio Manager, Trevor Fletcher
Bueno!!