Andres Levin

Andres Levin is a Venezuelan-born American record producer, bandleader, filmmaker, recording engineer and philanthropist. After several nominations, Levin won a Grammy Award in 2009 for his production of the In the Heights cast recording.[1] His Grammy-nominated[2] Latin fusion band Yerba Buena was founded along with Cuban-American singer Cucu Diamantes.

Andres Levin
BornCaracas, Venezuela
GenresLatin, Pop, Rock, R&B
Occupation(s)Producer, film maker, song-writer, musician, composer, philanthropist, arranger, guitarist
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, keyboards, programming
Years active1980–present
LabelsFunmachine
Associated actsYerba Buena, Cucu Diamantes, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Natalie Merchant, David Byrne, D'Angelo, Caetano Veloso

Levin has been called the "master-chef of urban fusion" by the Los Angeles Times.[3]

Early life

Levin was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Since his father is a musician and producer as well, Levin was surrounded by music.[4] He began playing guitar at age 10 and was soon immersed in the musical world. In 1988, Levin took advantage of a full scholarship at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts before studying composition at Juilliard in New York City. While in New York, Levin worked at Skyline studios and was soon hired by producer Nile Rodgers as a full-time Synclavier programmer and arranger. With Rodgers, Levin worked with artists such as the B-52's, Diana Ross, INXS, and The Vaughan Brothers.[5]

Yerba Buena

Together with Diamantes, Levin formed the band Yerba Buena. Before Yerba Buena, Levin had worked in several disparate genres, including R&B, soul, and Latin. Levin said that the same year the band was founded, he and "CuCu were in Nigeria, Cuba, and Bahia... [and] those influences combined to form the Yerba Buena sound."[6] Levin has also said that even though Yerba Buena "experiments with many influences, the basis of the group is inspired by the African and Cuban diaspora, where both worlds meet. The music is a bridge between the two cultures."[6]

Music Has No Enemies

Founded by Levin and Diamantes, Music Has No Enemies is a non-profit organization that is designed "to usher the entertainment industry in a new direction toward the widespread promotion of philanthropy". The organization has worked on several projects to promote social justice and political activism:

  • Red Hot and Cuba at Brooklyn Academy of Music-World Aids Day 2012[7]
  • TEDxHabana
  • Grammy Foundation-Grammy Career Day at Pace University
  • Orphaned Star Fish
  • Innocence in Danger
  • Life is Precious
  • Plastic Pollution Coalition
  • TED.org

TEDxHabana 2014

Andres, along with Diamantes and Perugorria organized the first-ever TEDx conference in Cuba, TEDxHabana took place on November 15, 2014 and will continue to be a yearly (or bi-yearly) event.[8]

TEDxHabana 2015

The second edition of the independent event took place at the National Theatre in Havana on November 14, 2015, where 17 speakers presenting a myriad of projects and inspiring experiences on environmental protection, health care, sustainable agriculture, architecture, arts and social development, uses of technologies and communication, addressed to more than 2200 attendants.

Field of Dreams Festival

On July 24, 2010, Levin and the Bruce High Quality Foundation[9] produced and curated Celebrate Brooklyn! Presents Field of Dreams (Un Mundo Nuevo) in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York as a production of Music Has No Enemies. The festival showcased DIY artists and performing artists from around the world, including Luis Guzmán, Keziah Jones, Cucu Diamantes, Pablo Picasso, K-SISE, and Janka Nabay.[10]

Podemos Con Obama

In 2008, Levin brought together many prominent Latin musicians to make a video inspired by his work on will.i.am's "Yes We Can" video in support of Democratic party presidential candidate Barack Obama. Celebrities such as Luis Guzman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jessica Alba, Paulina Rubio, Alejandro Sanz, John Leguizamo, Don Omar and many others participated. The video currently has more than 350,000 views on YouTube.[11]

The Price of Silence

In 2008, Music Has No Enemies produced Amnesty International's "The Price of Silence", a commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many international artists and activists such as Stephen Marley, Aterciopelados, Natalie Merchant, Yerba Buena and Hugh Masekala filmed a video of their collaborative song set in the UN.[12]

Content-OS

Content-OS, founded by Levin, is a full service creative content company that brings high art to social impact. Founded as a strategic partner of Music Has No Enemies, Content-OS designs and manages projects at every scale that strengthens the core values of its partners through music and other forms of media. Paying close attention to the specific goals of clients, Content-OS is focused on producing and promoting superlative content that directly benefits the needs and mission of its partners.[13]

I'm Alive

In a unique collaboration produced by Andres Levin, world-renowned musical artists Caetano Veloso and Lenine, Criolo, Emicida, Pretinho da Serrinha and Sistah Mo Respect along with many other celebrated Brazilian musicians and filmmakers spent three days in Rio de Janeiro's Floresta da Tijuca, part of Parque Nacional da Tijuca (that supported the project by offering its landscapes to film) creating "I'm Alive" a multimedia expression of our relationship to nature filmed, composed and recorded in the rainforest.[14][15]

Music Heals

In 2012, Levin and the Content-OS team brought Music Heals to the Texas Children's Hospital for a day of musical healing through collaborative songwriting and recording. Levin's team consisted of "Gustavo Galindo, blues/country singer Marsha Hancock, guitarist David Garza of Austin, composer/arranger Stephen Barber, drummer Brannen Temple of Austin and vocalist Suzanna Choffel."[16] This was done in collaboration with Lopez Negrete and Purple Songs Can Fly.

Farm to Turntable

In August 2013, Levin and his team brought inner-city kids to McEnroe Organic Farm to learn about food production. A week later, they attended a freestyle workshop at El Museo del Barrio where they learned about turntablism and traditional farming music, and used what they experienced out in nature to write and record an original hip hop song about sustainable agricultural practices and healthy living.[17]

Contribution

In 2012, MHNE and Content-OS in conjunction with Grammy in the Schools, led an inspiring workshop at Pace University for Grammy Career Day empowering NYC high school students through an impromptu songwriting workshop.

Film

In 2012, Levin produced his first film alongside Sarah Green, Amor Cronico. Directed by Jorge Perugorria, the film follows flamboyant Cuban-born / New York based singer-songwriter Cucu Diamantes</ref> Since then he has been involved in feature and documentary films as producer, exec producer, associate producer or consultant such as : Guava Island (Amazon), Fate of the Furious (Universal), Habana Motor Club, and several documentaries for Amazon which he also directed.

Advertising

Levin has been involved in the music for advertising industry since 1995. In the fall of 2009 he launched Pirata (with Canadian partner Pirate)[5] to provide sonic branding and audio post production for all aspects of broadcast audio, such as original music and licensing, sound design, full service radio production and 5.1 mixing.[18] Since its creation, Pirata has provided work for Dr. Pepper, Verizon, Miller, Heineken, Cablevision, Kraft, Ritz, and Kohl's.[19]

Discography

Studio albums
YearAlbumRoleNotes
2017 Paulina Rubio - 2 en1: Pau-Latina/Paulina Composer
2017 Natalie Merchant, The Natalie Merchant Collection Producer
2014 Fonseca, Jon Batiste, Rise Up Producer
2014 Miguel Bosé, Amo Co-producer Nominated to the Latin Grammy Awards 2015 - Album of the year
2014 Coreon Du, Binario Producer
2014 Arto Lindsay - Encyclopedia of Arto Producer
2014 Aleks Syntek - Romántico Desliz Producer
2013 Cucu Diamantes - Amor Cronico Producer - Composer
2012 Miguel Bosé, Papitwo Co-producer
2012 John Legend, Red Hot and Rio 2 Producer, Co-writer
2011 Fonseca, Ilusión Producer Winner of 2012 Grammy: Best Tropical Fusion Album / Nominated 2013 Latin Pop Grammy
2011 Les Nubians - Nü Revolution Producer
2011 Donna D'Cruz - Rasa Swank
2010 Natalie Merchant, Leave Your Sleep Co-producer
2010 Bill Coleman - Remixxer Producer
2010 Ana Torroja, Sonrisa Producer
2010 Aleks Syntek, Métodos de Placer Instantáneo Co-producer
2010 Chiara Civello, 7752 Co-producer
2009 In The Heights Cast Album Producer Winner of 2009 Grammy: Best Cast Album
2009 Cucu Diamantes, Cuculand Producer
2009 Pitingo - Todo Pitingo Producer
2009 Beatriz Luengo, Carrousel Producer
2009 Paulina Rubio, Gran City Pop Producer
2008 Ultra Naté - Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded A&R
2008 Ely Guerra - Plug & Play Composer
2007 Miguel Bosé, Papito Co-producer Nominated for 2007 Latin Grammy
2007 Yerba Buena, Follow Me Producer/ Writer
2007 Orishas, Antiodiotico Producer Produced five songs; three 2007 Latin Grammy Nominations
2007 Voltio - En Lo Claro Producer
2007 Feel the Noise Producer
2007 Ultra Naté - Grime, Silk & Thunder Producer
2007 Louie Vega in the House A&R
2006 Hector On Stilts, Same Height Relation Producer
2006 Marisa Monte, Universo Ao Meu Redor Producer
2006 Eliane Elias, Around The City Producer/ Writer
2006 Marta Sánchez - En Directo: Gira 2005 La Coruña Composer
2006 Explorations: Classic Picante Regrooved, Vol. 1 Producer
2006 La Habana de Noche Composer
2006 Xiomara Laugart - Xiomara Producer
2005 Yerba Buena, Island Life Producer/ Writer
2005 Orishas, El Kilo Producer Nominated for 2005 and 2006 Latin Grammy: Best Latin Alternative Album
2005 Marta Sánchez - Lo Mejor de Marta Sanchez
2005 Diego el Cigala - Picasso en Mis Ojos
2005 Haydée - Haydée Programming
2004 Ana Torroja, Essential Producer/ Writer Produced and wrote four songs
2004 Paulina Rubio, Pau-Latina Writer Wrote one song, "My Friend, My Amigo"
2004 Carlinhos Brown - Carlinhos Brown es Carlito Marron Producer
2004 Blaze - Found Love Producer
2004 Moreno Veloso - Máquina de Escrever Música Remix Producer
2003 Yerba Buena, President Alien Producer/ Writer Nominated for 2003 Grammy: Best Latin Alternative Album
2002 Lenine, Falange Canibal Writer Wrote one song, "Dolores." Won 2002 Latin Grammy
2002 Red Hot and Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti Co-producer Produced nine songs
2001 Bilal, 1st Born Second Producer Produced one song
2000 Daniela Mercury, Sol Da Liberdade Producer
2000 Cyrius, Le sang des roses Co-producer/ Musician
1999 Ana Torroja, Pasajes de un Sueño Producer/ Writer
1996-1999 Arto Lindsay, The Prize, Mundo Civilizado, Noon Chill, Hypercivilizado, Invoke Producer/ Writer
1998 Aterciopelados, Caribe Atomico Producer Nominated for 1998 Grammy: Best Latin Rock
1998 Los Amigos Invisibles, The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera Producer
1998 El Gran Silencio, Libres y Locos Producer
1998 Carlinhos Brown, Omelette Man Producer
1997 David Byrne, Feelings Producer Produced two songs, "Finite=Alright" and "The Civil Wars"
1997 Red Hot + Latin: Silencio = Muerte Producer
1997 Deborah Blando, "UnicaMente" Producer/ Writer/ Musician Produced songs, "Unicamente" and "Gata"
1997 Marta Sánchez, "Azabache" Co-produced/ Writer/ Musician Co-produced songs, "Moja Mi Corazón" and "Lampara Mágica"
1996 David Byrne and Marisa Monte, Red Hot and Rio Producer Produced one song, "Waters of March"
1996 Mundo Civilizado Producer
1996 Red Hot + Rio Producer
1996 Tina Turner - Wildest Dreams Producer
1995 Chaka Khan, The Woman I Am Writer
1995 Doro, Machine II Machine Producer/ Writer/ Musician Co-produced and co-wrote four songs
1995 Jennifer Love Hewitt, Let's Go Bang Writer One song, "The Difference Between Us"
1994 Cece Peniston, Thought 'Ya Knew Producer/Writer One song, "Through Those Doors"
1992 Tyler Producer, Composer Album
1991 Mica Paris, Contribution Writer/Producer (with Camus Celli)
1991 Nia Peeples, Nia Peeples Producer (with Camus Celli) One song, "Heaven Help Me"
1989 Eddie Murphy So Happy Keyboard Programming

[20]

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2019 Guava Island Fear - Childish Gambino and Rhiana Amazon Prime Music Producer and Consultant
2019 Guava Island Mini Docs Amazon Prime Producer
2018 Bucket List feat. Will Smith Facebook TV Producer
2018 Tata-Guines Documentary/work in progress Producer
2018 La Bicicletawork in progress Executive Producer
2017 4 Seasons in Havana NETFLIX Music supervisor/Music producer and composer-theme song
2017 Cuba Dance HBO Producer/ Cuba Production Services
2017 Cuba Skate FUSION Cuba Production Services
2017 The Fate of Furious UNIVERSAL Cuba Production Services/Itaca Manager
2016 Havana Motor Club Associate Producer
2015 Hotel Transylvania 2 Soundtrack I'm In Love with a Monster, Co-producer with Salaam Remy
2015 Aztec Warrior Composer
2015 Spare Parts Soundtrack Music Producer, Composer
2014 Bocaccerias Habaneras Composer
2013 Se Vende Executive Music Producer, Composer
2012 Amor Cronico Film Producer, Executive Music Producer, Composer
2007 Ladron Que Roba Ladron Composer
2007 Borderland Composer
2007 El Cantante Composer
2004 Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Composer Three songs used
2003 Cheaper by the Dozen Composer "Guajira (I Love U 2 Much)" used
2003 Honey Composer "Guajira (I Love U 2 Much)" used
2003 Chasing Papi Composer "Electric Boogaloo" used
1999 Red Hot and Lisbon Producer Produced five songs

Television
YearAlbumRoleNotes
2008 Heroes Original Soundtrack Composer One song, "Maya's Theme"
2006 South Beach Composer Wrote Theme Song
2004 Entourage Composer
2003 ER Composer

References
  1. "In the Heights Cast Recording Wins Grammy; Hudson and LuPone-McDonald "Mahagonny" Also Win". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  2. "Yerba Buena - Profile of Funky Yerba Buena". Latinmusic.about.com. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  3. "An intimate tribute to a mother's legacy - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2005-08-21. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  4. Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Andres Levin Partners With Pirate To Launch Dedicated Multi-Cultural Company: Pirata | Creative Planet Network". Blog.digitalcontentproducer.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  6. "Andres Levin's Musical Playground". The Morning News. 2006-03-03. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  7. "Mix-and-Match Ensemble Erases Borders With Enthusiasm : 'Red Hot + Cuba' at Brooklyn Academy of Music". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20141201042040/http://tedxhabana.org/. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "» AO on Site – New York: The Bruce High Quality Foundation's 'Field of Dreams' Saturday, July 24th, 2010 in Prospect Park, Brooklyn - AO Art Observed™". Artobserved.com. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  11. "Podemos Con Obama - Yes We Can with Obama". YouTube. 2008-05-29. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  12. "Price of Silence". YouTube. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  13. "Untitled-1". Content-os.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  14. "Caetano Veloso Leads Brazilian Cast for 'I'm Alive' Rainforest Alliance Project: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  15. ""I'm Alive": A song for Brazil's rainforests". Rainforest Alliance. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  16. Luks, Joel. "Music that heals: Texas Children's Hospital cancer patients send a ... - CultureMap Houston". Houston.culturemap.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  17. "Andrew Freedman Home - Farm to Turntable Video". Andrewfreedmancomplex.com. Archived from the original on 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  18. Archived August 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  19. "Pirata New York". Pirata New York. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  20. https://www.discogs.com/es/artist/63081-Andres-Levin?filter_anv=0&subtype=Production&type=Credits
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