Biography
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, Ruben 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 Plenarrique 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 ESPYS, 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 clave. 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, Sheila E. and the fun collaboration between Puerto Rican compadres Rumbantela, and playing live behind such varied Artists as Justin Timberlake, Wayne Brady, Playing For Change, Gilberto Santa Rosa, All 4 One, Wynona Judd, Jonathan Butler, just to name a few.