I received a degree in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music, and a Master’s Degree in Media Writing and Production (Music for Film and TV) from the University of Miami. Since then, I’ve worked as a producer and Engineer for Sony artists such as Yotuel Romero (Orishas) Beatriz Luengo, Cristian Castro. I’ve also mixed songs featuring Jesús Alberto Navarro (Reik), Wisin, and had songs placed with Jaecol Federal on releases by J Quiles and Nicky Jam. More recently, I’ve started a company (http://bebash.com/) that focuses on “Music for Film and TV” and we’ve placed music on a few network shows, including “real Housewives of Orange County” and “Vanderpump Rules”
What are your future plans?
Recently, we just landed a contract for the music, sound design and mix, of a Netflix series that will air next year. We are also actively trying to find a feature film to compose to. Additionally, we’re finishing an album by Alejandra Jimenez that will come out in July/August, and touring in Mexico for the next few months after release.
What drew you to your career? What do you enjoy most about what you do?
The best thing about music is how it brings people together. Two people could be from completely different cultures and speak completely different languages, but can still bond over a song, a beat, or a melody.
Looking back, what are some of your best memories or experiences from KCP? How has your KCP experience impacted your life today?
One of my best memories was performing the “Queen” musical back in the day. It was a lot of long hours, many days of staying late and practicing all the parts, not to mention the daily rehearsals the week before the show. Because of all of our work, it came out incredible and we all felt amazing. Rocking the stage with a full house really got the adrenaline flowing. Being part of something that’s bigger than you is very fulfilling.
What inspired “Viniste a ganar”?
Dedication and willpower are requirements to a successful performance in sports as much as music. Knowing how much athletes prepare, it’s an inspirational message of all the possible achievements through hard work. At the same time, it blends in very traditional Colombian Rhythms that showcase our culture to all of our visitors. 37 countries will be visiting, and tuning in via ESPN and all of them will hear what music from Barranquilla sounds like. Many of these people have never even heard of a “Flauta de Millo” before.
Briefly explain the process involved in the composing and production of a song like “viniste a ganar”
It’s a lot of back and forth with Javier Cuello, sending voice notes, ideas, sessions with some recorded parts in it, etc. After we bounce back and forth, certain elements stick, and we hit the ground running with that. However, maybe 80% of what we try doesn’t stick, and gets abandoned. For every good musical idea there are quite a few not-so-good ones.
What advice would you give KCP´s students?
Believe in yourself, but also stay true to yourself. Learn to know yourself, understand your strengths and weaknesses and be aware that some routes in your life may be more viable than others. Additionally, learn to deal with defeat, disappointment, and failure, and be able to carry on in spite of it. It will happen early, and it will happen often (as it did to me). Most people that I know that are successful today went through a lot of failures before arriving to where they needed to be – and they were better off because of it.
