Oskar Cartaya, during the course of a full career playing bass,
composing, arranging and acting as musical director for an amazing
array of Artists, Oskar has soaked up the influences of his homes in
Puerto Rico, New York and Los Angeles to create his very unique style
A long prolific career working with the likes of Spyro Gyra, Herb Albert,
Jennifer Lopez, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Tito Puente, Robbie
Robertson, Willie Colon, Dave Valentin and more has given a solid
reputation in the music industry.
Some of Oskar’s credits include the production of “Passion Dance” by
Herb Alpert (Almo Records) and “Plenarriqueña” for Jennifer Lopez, a
live concert on DVD (Sony Music). Touring with a plethora of Artists
including Steve Winwood, Spyro Gyra and the late Tito Puente.
Add in to the mix a stint in the house band for TV’s “ShowTime at The
Apollo” The ESPY’S, Latin Grammy, Guys Choice Awards composing
and arranging for projects such as Jodie Foster’s movie Contact,
Producing the soundtrack for the movie “Wedding Bell Blues” and
playing on Grammy® Winning albums for Arturo Sandoval, Willie Colon
and Spyro Gyra.
When playing his own music live he is surrounded by the Enclave
which Oskar describes as “a musical play on words, the voice of a
culture from within the boundaries of America, and a musical
expression played en clavé. Our sound is a gumbo of jazz and funk,
Afro-Caribbean percussion and urban street soul attitude.”
Other recent projects include playing on albums with Tito Nieves, Pete
Escovedo, Andrae Crouch, Juan Gabriel and the fun collaboration
between Puerto Rican compadrés – Rumbantela, and playing live
behind such varied Artists as Justin Timberlake, Wayne Brady & more…