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{{Short description|Venezuelan pianist, composer, and educator}}
'''Otmaro Ruíz''' (born June 27, 1964 in [[Caracas]], Venezuela) is a Venezuelan pianist, keyboardist, composer and arranger.
{{Infobox musical artist
| name= Otmaro Ruiz
| image= Otmaro Ruiz Cosmopolite 2017 (220832).jpg
| caption= <small>Ruiz on stage at Simon Phillips concert in Oslo (2017)</small>
| image_size=
| background= non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name=
| birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1964|06|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place= [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]]
| death_date=
| death_place=
| origin= [[Venezuelan people|Venezuelan]]
| instrument= [[Acoustic piano]], [[Musical keyboard|Keyboard]]s, [[Acoustic guitar]]
| genre= [[Jazz]], [[Latin American music|Latin genres]]
| occupation= [[Arranger]], [[Composer]], [[Music director]]
| years_active= 1980–present
| label=
| associated_acts=
[[Alex Acuña]]<br>
[[Herb Alpert]]<br>
[[Ricardo Arjona]]<br>
[[Jeff Berlin]]<br>
[[Soledad Bravo]]<br>
[[Ilan Chester]]<br>
[[Desorden Público]]<br>
[[Pedro Eustache]]<br>
[[Hadrien Feraud]]<br>
[[Frank Gambale]]<br>
[[Akira Jimbo]]<br>
[[Abraham Laboriel]]<br>
[[Hubert Laws]]<br>
[[Ashley Maher]]<br>
[[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]]<br>
[[Alberto Naranjo]]<br>
[[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]]<br>
[[Tito Puente]]<br>
[[Dianne Reeves]]<br>
[[Robbie Robertson]]<br>
[[Arturo Sandoval]]<br>
[[Gino Vannelli]]
| website= [http://www.otmaro.com Home page]
}}
'''Otmaro Ruiz''' (born June 27, 1964, in [[Caracas]], Venezuela) is a Venezuelan pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger and educator. Son of Óscar Ruiz Beluche and Omaira Prado Hurtado, both medical doctors. He has a sister named Orlena, also a musician (violin, piano) and educator.


==Career==
==Career==
Ruíz began his formal musical studies at the age of eight on piano, classical guitar, harmony, history and aesthetics. He also was exposed to other artistic activities such as drawing and acting. At the same time, he studied organ and pursued a scientific career as a biologist at the [[Universidad Simón Bolívar|Simón Bolívar University]], but kept playing keyboards on the side, landing his first professional work in a pop group in 1980.<ref name="am">{{cite web|title =Otmaro Ruíz: Biography |first=Steve|last=Huey |publisher=Allmusic| url ={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=otmaro-ruz-p120986/biography|pure_url=yes}} |accessdate =2010-10-30}}</ref>
Ruiz began his formal musical studies at the age of eight on piano, classical guitar, harmony, history and aesthetics. His formal musical studies were done in the Juan Manuel Olivares Music School in Caracas. In the meantime, he also was exposed to other artistic activities, such as drawing and acting. At the same time, he studied organ and pursued a scientific career as a [[biologist]] at the [[Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela)|Simón Bolívar University]], but kept playing keyboards on the side, landing his first professional work in a pop group in 1980.<ref name="am">{{cite web|title =Otmaro Ruíz: Biography |first=Steve|last=Huey |publisher=Allmusic| url ={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=otmaro-ruz-p120986/biography|pure_url=yes}} |accessdate =2010-10-30}}</ref>


Decided to focus entirely on music, Ruíz dropped out of school in 1983, playing in his native Venezuela. He toured and recorded with local and visiting musicians, and also became a busy [[recording studio|studio musician]] as a [[jingle]]s composer and arranger.
Decided to focus entirely on music, Ruiz dropped out of school in 1983 while playing in his native Venezuela, where he toured and recorded with local and visiting musicians, and also became a busy [[recording studio|studio musician]] as a [[jingle]]s composer and arranger.


In 1989 Ruíz moved to Los Angeles, California, where he finished his academic training at [[California Institute of the Arts|CalArts]], obtaining a master's degree in jazz performance in 1993. He was also playing with percussionist [[Alex Acuña]], appearing in two albums during the early 1990s.<ref name="am" /> He later recorded with [[Arturo Sandoval]], which was followed in 1996 by a world tour supporting [[Gino Vannelli]]. The rest of the decade, he worked with [[Jon Anderson]], [[Robbie Robertson]], [[Herb Alpert]] and [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]]. In the new millennium, he has recorded and toured with [[Dianne Reeves]], Frank Gambale, Alain Caron and Lee Ritenour.
In 1989 Ruiz moved to [[Los Angeles]], California, where he finished his academic training at [[California Institute of the Arts|CalArts]], obtaining a master's degree in jazz performance in 1993. In between, he was also playing with percussionist [[Alex Acuña]], appearing in two albums during the early 1990s.<ref name="am" /> and later recorded with [[Arturo Sandoval]], which was followed by a world tour supporting [[Gino Vannelli]] in 1996.


Ruiz marked the transition into the new millennium performing on both acoustic piano and electric keyboards with rock icons [[Jon Anderson]] and [[Robbie Robertson]], Latin Crossings Project, featuring Latin legend [[Tito Puente]], [[Steve Winwood]] and [[Arturo Sandoval]], [[Herb Alpert]] and Fusion giant [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], also taking part in recordings and multiple World tours with multi Grammy Award winner vocalist [[Dianne Reeves]], [[Frank Gambale]], [[Alain Caron (bassist)|Alain Caron]] and [[Lee Ritenour]].
Ruíz remains active up to the present day, generally recording and touring with L.A.-based groups and vocalists, and commanding his own projects.


He also participated in an international jazz-project "JB Project" with American bassist [[Brian Bromberg]] and Japanese drummer [[Akira Jimbo]]. They released three studio albums: ''Brombo'' (2003) and ''Brombo II'' (2004) and Brombo III (2017). Otmaro Ruiz has recorded Akira Jimbo's CDs projects for eleven consecutive years as member of his Trio/Quartet.
Ruiz also participated in an international jazz group named JB Project, along with American bassist [[Brian Bromberg]] and Japanese drummer [[Akira Jimbo]]. This group released three studio albums: ''Brombo'' (2003), ''Brombo II'' (2004) and ''Brombo III'' (2017). Additionally, he appeared on Akira Jimbo's CDs projects for eleven consecutive years as member of a Trio/Quartet format.


⚫
In 2012, the [[Cornel School of Contemporary Music]] of [[Shepherd University]] awarded Ruiz with an Honorary Doctorate in Music Arts. Then, in 2016, he was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals#2010s|Best Arrangement Instrumental & Vocals]] at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]] for his version of the tune "[[Girl from Ipanema]]", which was part of his production ''Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project, featuring Otmaro Ruiz''. This CD also got raving international reviews, including four stars by ''[[DownBeat]]'' magazine and also was included in their issue Best of 2016.
In 2012, Shepherd University ([[Cornel School of Contemporary Music]]) awarded Otmaro Ruiz with an “Honorary Doctorate in Music Arts”.


Furthermore, Ruiz has conducted workshops and lectures worldwide and formed part of the faculty of [[USC Thornton School of Music]] for five years. Otmaro also worked as a member of the Cornell School of Contemporary Music based at [[Shepherd University]] faculty, as part of a team that includes long time friends and collaborators [[Abraham Laboriel]] and Jimmy Branly. In recent years, Otmaro Ruiz released his long dreamed "electric" CD in Trio format with famed musicians [[Jimmy Haslip]] and Jimmy Branly entitled "Elemental" to amazing international reviews, also became a member of [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]]' influential Jazz Rock Fusion Band "Protocol" and Toured with SoulBop, a Modern Electric Jazz ensemble conducted by [[Randy Brecker]] and [[Bill Evans]]. Ruiz remains active up to the present day, generally recording and touring with L.A.-based groups and vocalists, as well as commanding his own projects.
⚫
In 2016, Otmaro Ruiz was Nominated for Best Arrangement Instrumental & Vocals at the 58th Grammy Awards for his version of "Girl from Ipanema", part of his production "Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project, featuring Otmaro Ruiz". This CD also got raving international reviews, including 4 stars by Downbeat Magazine and also was included in their issue Best of 2016.

Ruiz has worked extensively conducting workshops and lectures worldwide and was part pf the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music for 5 years. Currently, he is part of the Cornell School of Contemporary Music (at Shepherd University) faculty team which includes long time friends and collaborators Abe Laboriel and Jimmy Branly.


==Selected discography==
==Selected discography==
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*''Nothing to Hide'' (MMP Records, 1996)
*''Nothing to Hide'' (MMP Records, 1996)
*''Distant Friends'' (MLP Records, 1997)
*''Distant Friends'' (MLP Records, 1997)
*"Latino" featuring Alex Acuña and Abe Laboriel (Pony Canyon Inc, 2005)
*''Latino'' featuring Alex Acuña and Abe Laboriel (Pony Canyon Inc, 2005)
*''Sojourn'' (Minina Music / Moondo Records, 2008)
*''Sojourn'' (Minina Music / Moondo Records, 2008)
*"Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project" featuring Otmaro Ruiz (independent, 2015)
*''Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project Featuring Otmaro Ruiz'' (Independent, 2015)
*''Elemental'' featuring [[Jimmy Haslip]] and Jimmy Branly (Blue Canoe, 2018)


===Other credits===
===Other credits===
<!--
*''Cinemascope'' - [[Gonzalo Micó]] (1983)
*''Cinemascope'' - [[Gonzalo Micó]] (1983)
-->
*''En Vivo'' - [[Ilan Chester]] (1989)
*''En Vivo'' - [[Ilan Chester]] (1989)
*''En Concierto'' - [[Soledad Bravo]] (1989)
*''En Concierto'' - [[Soledad Bravo]] (1989)
Line 43: Line 87:
*''Strive for Higher Realities'' - [[Pedro Eustache]] (1997)
*''Strive for Higher Realities'' - [[Pedro Eustache]] (1997)
*''Red Heat'' - [[Jimmy Haslip]] (2000)
*''Red Heat'' - [[Jimmy Haslip]] (2000)
*"The Heart of Things" Live in Paris - [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]] (2000)
*''The Heart of Things : Live in Paris'' - [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]] (2000)
*''Call Me Al'' - [[Alain Caron (bass player)|Alain Caron]] (2001)
*''Call Me Al'' - [[Alain Caron (bass player)|Alain Caron]] (2001)
*''Baila Cinderella'' - [[Hubert Laws]] (2002)
*''Baila Cinderella'' - [[Hubert Laws]] (2002)
<!--
*''Jing Chi Live'' - [[Jing Chi]] (2003)
*''Jing Chi Live'' - [[Jing Chi]] (2003)
-->
*''[[TruANT]]'' - [[Alien Ant Farm]] (2003)
*''[[TruANT]]'' - [[Alien Ant Farm]] (2003)
*''Brombo'' - [[Brian Bromberg]]/[[Akira Jimbo]] (2003)
*''Brombo'' - [[Brian Bromberg]] / [[Akira Jimbo]] (2003)
*''Cancionero del Amor Puertorriqueño'' - [[Ilan Chester]] (2003)
*''Cancionero del Amor Puertorriqueño'' - [[Ilan Chester]] (2003)
<!--
*''Archivi Sonori'' [[Maurizio Rolli]] (2003)
*''Archivi Sonori'' [[Maurizio Rolli]] (2003)
-->
⚫
*''Brombo II'' - [[Brian Bromberg]]/[[Akira Jimbo]] (2004)
*''Live in Montreal [DVD]'' - [[Dianne Reeves]] (2005)
*''Brombo II'' - [[Brian Bromberg]] / [[Akira Jimbo]] (2004)
*''Live in Montreal''&nbsp;[DVD] - [[Dianne Reeves]] (2005)
*''Aneurythms'' - [[Jeff Berlin]] (2006)
*''Aneurythms'' - [[Jeff Berlin]] (2006)
*''[[Natural High (Frank Gambale album)|Natural High]]'' - [[Frank Gambale]] (2006)
*''[[Natural High (Frank Gambale album)|Natural High]]'' - [[Frank Gambale]] (2006)
Line 58: Line 106:
*''Music for Lovers'' - [[Dianne Reeves]] (2007)
*''Music for Lovers'' - [[Dianne Reeves]] (2007)
*''Flying Over Bridges'' - [[Ashley Maher]] (2007)
*''Flying Over Bridges'' - [[Ashley Maher]] (2007)
*''Conversations'' - [[Alain Caron (bass player)|Alain Caron]] (2008)
*''Conversations'' - [[Alain Caron (bass player)|Alain Caron]] (2008) / Also with Oliver Jones, Lorraine Desmarais and François Bourassa, among others
*"Natural Selection" - [[Frank Gambale]] (2010)
*''Natural Selection'' - [[Frank Gambale]] (2010)
<!--
*''7 in latino'' [[Maurizio Rolli]] (2013)
*''7 in latino'' [[Maurizio Rolli]] (2013)
-->
*''Born in the 80's'' - [[Hadrien Feraud]] (2015)
*''Born in the 80's'' - [[Hadrien Feraud]] (2015)
⚫
*''Brombo III'' - [[Brian Bromberg]] / [[Akira Jimbo]] (2017)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.otmaroruiz.com/index.html Home Page]
*[http://www.otmaro.com Home Page]
*[http://www.audiophileimports.com/cgi-bin/ai/cart.cgi/date=10-23-06 Audiophile Records]
*[http://www.audiophileimports.com/cgi-bin/ai/cart.cgi/date=10-23-06 Audiophile Records]
*[https://www.mmpmoo.com/cd/otmaro_ruiz/ MMP/MOO Records]
*[https://www.mmpmoo.com/cd/otmaro_ruiz/ MMP/MOO Records]
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[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Caracas]]
[[Category:Musicians from Caracas]]
[[Category:Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela) alumni]]
[[Category:Venezuelan jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Venezuelan jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Venezuelan musicians]]
[[Category:Venezuelan musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century pianists]]

Latest revision as of 16:18, 31 March 2024

Otmaro Ruiz
Ruiz on stage at Simon Phillips concert in Oslo (2017)
Ruiz on stage at Simon Phillips concert in Oslo (2017)
Background information
Born (1964-06-27) June 27, 1964 (age 59)
Caracas, Venezuela
OriginVenezuelan
GenresJazz, Latin genres
Occupation(s)Arranger, Composer, Music director
Instrument(s)Acoustic piano, Keyboards, Acoustic guitar
Years active1980–present
WebsiteHome page

Otmaro Ruiz (born June 27, 1964, in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger and educator. Son of Óscar Ruiz Beluche and Omaira Prado Hurtado, both medical doctors. He has a sister named Orlena, also a musician (violin, piano) and educator.

Career[edit]

Ruiz began his formal musical studies at the age of eight on piano, classical guitar, harmony, history and aesthetics. His formal musical studies were done in the Juan Manuel Olivares Music School in Caracas. In the meantime, he also was exposed to other artistic activities, such as drawing and acting. At the same time, he studied organ and pursued a scientific career as a biologist at the Simón Bolívar University, but kept playing keyboards on the side, landing his first professional work in a pop group in 1980.[1]

Decided to focus entirely on music, Ruiz dropped out of school in 1983 while playing in his native Venezuela, where he toured and recorded with local and visiting musicians, and also became a busy studio musician as a jingles composer and arranger.

In 1989 Ruiz moved to Los Angeles, California, where he finished his academic training at CalArts, obtaining a master's degree in jazz performance in 1993. In between, he was also playing with percussionist Alex Acuña, appearing in two albums during the early 1990s.[1] and later recorded with Arturo Sandoval, which was followed by a world tour supporting Gino Vannelli in 1996.

Ruiz marked the transition into the new millennium performing on both acoustic piano and electric keyboards with rock icons Jon Anderson and Robbie Robertson, Latin Crossings Project, featuring Latin legend Tito Puente, Steve Winwood and Arturo Sandoval, Herb Alpert and Fusion giant John McLaughlin, also taking part in recordings and multiple World tours with multi Grammy Award winner vocalist Dianne Reeves, Frank Gambale, Alain Caron and Lee Ritenour.

Ruiz also participated in an international jazz group named JB Project, along with American bassist Brian Bromberg and Japanese drummer Akira Jimbo. This group released three studio albums: Brombo (2003), Brombo II (2004) and Brombo III (2017). Additionally, he appeared on Akira Jimbo's CDs projects for eleven consecutive years as member of a Trio/Quartet format.

In 2012, the Cornel School of Contemporary Music of Shepherd University awarded Ruiz with an Honorary Doctorate in Music Arts. Then, in 2016, he was nominated for the Best Arrangement Instrumental & Vocals at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for his version of the tune "Girl from Ipanema", which was part of his production Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project, featuring Otmaro Ruiz. This CD also got raving international reviews, including four stars by DownBeat magazine and also was included in their issue Best of 2016.

Furthermore, Ruiz has conducted workshops and lectures worldwide and formed part of the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music for five years. Otmaro also worked as a member of the Cornell School of Contemporary Music based at Shepherd University faculty, as part of a team that includes long time friends and collaborators Abraham Laboriel and Jimmy Branly. In recent years, Otmaro Ruiz released his long dreamed "electric" CD in Trio format with famed musicians Jimmy Haslip and Jimmy Branly entitled "Elemental" to amazing international reviews, also became a member of Simon Phillips' influential Jazz Rock Fusion Band "Protocol" and Toured with SoulBop, a Modern Electric Jazz ensemble conducted by Randy Brecker and Bill Evans. Ruiz remains active up to the present day, generally recording and touring with L.A.-based groups and vocalists, as well as commanding his own projects.

Selected discography[edit]

As a leader[edit]

  • Otmaro Ruiz plays Ryuichi Sakamoto (MIDI Inc., 1991)
  • Nothing to Hide (MMP Records, 1996)
  • Distant Friends (MLP Records, 1997)
  • Latino featuring Alex Acuña and Abe Laboriel (Pony Canyon Inc, 2005)
  • Sojourn (Minina Music / Moondo Records, 2008)
  • Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project Featuring Otmaro Ruiz (Independent, 2015)
  • Elemental featuring Jimmy Haslip and Jimmy Branly (Blue Canoe, 2018)

Other credits[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Otmaro Ruíz: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-10-30.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Otmaro_Ruíz&oldid=1216539576"