Music:
Member Since: 15/12/2006
Band Website: http://www.grandslamproductionsnyc.com/
Band Members:
Arranged and Co.Produced In Chino Nunez & Friends Vol1&Vol2.
Current Project Japanese Salsera YOKO www.yokosalsa.com..
TESTIMONIALS FROM COLLEAGUES
Johnny Rivera
Salsa Artist
What can I say about WILLIE RUIZ, beside being my brother . WILLIE and I go back to 1979, where I first had the privilege to work with him , with ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ J.R. "LOS RODRIGUEZ". SINCE that time Willie has always been ahead of his time musically . As a first lead trumpet he had always the great ability to read anything on the music chart. If a fly would fly by the music chart he would read that too! An excellent reader . He always brought great energy and ideas and has always contributed the best of himself to all the bands. He's worked as an arranger, trumpet player , and musical director. I consider Willie one of the top arrangers in the business today. One of Willie's mentors was Jose Febles (RIP), and what better teacher then Febles. Today that's the type of arrangements that you will get from Willie and a little more, with the fresh modern sound . WILLIE YOU ARE THE BEST! I would some day love to work with you again on a production, produced by you , That would be a dream come true. Lots of success my brother and may God bless you always . QUE VIVA LA MUSIC.
Ray Vega
Trumpeter
I've known Willie for many years. Willie Ruiz is a great producer/arranger. In a time where so many people parade around with the title of "Producer", Willie's vast knowledge of the industry gives him an impressive edge over so many others. He's earned the title of Producer and Arranger.
There is a long line of excellent trumpeter/arranger/producer:
Chico O'Farrill
Quincy Jones
Louis Perico Ortiz
Shorty Rogers
Thad Jones
Willie gets my Vote!
Peace RV
Chino Nuñez
Bandleader, Master Percussionist, Clinician, Producer, Arranger, Grammy Award Winner
"Willie Ruiz is the total package in the Latin Music Genre, His passion to Create the Music we love is beyond comprehension, It's Amazing, It's Energetic, It's Contagious, It's Powerful"
Ernie Acevedo
Conjunto Imagen
Willie Ruiz has been a Friend since the dark age's, growing up together in brooklyn Willie has always had a musical gift, he's been under rated. Willie is a great arranger, producer & teacher aswell. Today Willie has arranged and co- produce for my band Conjunto Imagen, arranged songs like " Necesito un amor, algo nuevo, que no muera el son, por amor a ti, sueltala" to name a few. Willie canta, toca congas, trumpetista, toca guiro y maracas, Willie estas en toa!
so my friend this a musician derserved much respect!
tu Hermanito
Ernie Acevedo
YOKO
Japanese Salsa Artist
Willie Ruiz is a great teacher. One of the great things he can offer you is "pointing out your problems and explaining clearly until you get it" and "giving you what you need in order to sound good." I have never met anyone who can get rid of my "not so cool" style and made me a "Sonera". When you talk about "Singing Salsa", it's all about "Soneando. which is improvisation. You have to know the right way to do it. Some people naturally have it but NOT ME!I am Japanese and I was raised in Osaka, Japan. I grew up listening to Japanese pop music like other Japanese. I do not have the same back ground as other LATINOS. But listen to how I sing the song which should be on Willie's Myspace page and also on mine, http://www.myspace.com/yokosalsanyc There, you can understand what I am talking about.Before I studied with Willie, I never had an opportunity to sing in a top line band. Now I am a lead singer of Chino Nunez and Friends Orchestra. http://www.chinonunez.com
Luis Acosta
Christian Salsa Singer
Willie is a tremendous arranger, producer and all around musician with a passion for music and arranging. He has a great ear and a great listener and tremendously joyful to work with. Let me just add a perfectionist, He will work it until its right. I had first hand experience. I can go on.... But I wont. I can not wait until we work together again. It was a blessing. Let me just say Willie is an underrated Producer, Arranger and Musician. He deserves a lot more credit and recognition.
Willie ROCKS..............
Eddie Rosado
Salsa Singer
Willie Ruiz displays several musical talents that he is recognized for in the music business. He is an excellent background vocalist and plays minor percussion. He has taught me very important techniques in regards to singing background. Willie has been hired to play trumpet and do backgrounds at the same gig, for instance with the Chino Nunez & Friends Orchestra. He is also considered one of the top arrangers in the salsa genre for his very favorable arrangements that really cater to the dancing public. I've not yet worked with Willie on one of his own productions but look forward to doing so in the near future as I am told he really knows how to put all the ingredients together while
producing an album. Besides his multiple talents, Willie Ruiz is a very humble, honest, and straight forward person who knows how to work with others and is easy to get along with.
Ray Viera
Salsa Singer
As far as my good friend Willie Ruiz I must say he is one of the most talented and underrated individuals in the Latin Music scene and has contributed to many bands and recordings over the last 2 or 3 decades. He is a great arranger, producer, vocalist and also a trumpet player. He has also become a engineer in the recent years. My personal experience is that he has always been positive and supportive. He is always willing to help anyone with his knowledge, advice, talent and direction. In my first solo recording "Aqui Esta Ray Viera" he did great arrangements for 3 songs. Many people have always praised the awesome arrangement he made for a song I composed titled "Borinquen y Cubanacan". I am proud to know him and I am grateful for his friendship.
Duplessey-Monic Walker
Salsa Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Superb! Willie is not only a masterful composer and musician but surpassed my expectations! I needed an original latin composition for a latin dance instructional DVD. Willie gave me a fantastic musical piece right away! He was fast, reliable and provided me with a wonderful, original musical piece that was specific to my needs. I highly recommend Willie as one of New York's best! Thank you Willie!
Chiemi Nakai
Piano Player
Mr. Willie Ruiz taught me how to use "Finale"(music software) and how to play the salsa style of montunos on piano. His lessons are very precise, clear, and passionate, and even when I don't understand well, he repeats himself always with patience.
I feel that he never gets tired to teach students who need assistants and help. Over all, what I appreciate of him, is that he encourages me to go forward without fear so that I could be able to have more confidence.
I'm totally sure that I met a great teacher in my life. Thank you, Willie.
a-jun
Japanese Singer/Dancer
Mr. Willie Ruiz is the best teacher who teaches latin music and rhythm I have ever met. I took his lesson only once but I learned a lot. He showed me that I can use my dancing skill to singing. I can sing in the same way that I dance. In the lesson, Willie told me to do a basic step and using the step, I created rhythmic pattern. He also told me the relation between Spanish word and rhythm. We practice putting Spanish pronunciation with rhythm,intonation and so forth. It was only one lesson but he taught me A LOT! If I live in NY, I would like to take his lesson every week. I will defenitly take his lesson when I visit NY next time.
CheoRico
Singer,Composer & Producer
Willie Ruiz.. Really Good Friend, Amazing Musician Producer And Arranger. He's Been A Good Help And Mentor,For My Music Career. Keeping me Sharp And Focused. He's Definitely A Class Act Arranger And I'm Glad To Work With Him. I will Keep Working With Him. All The Time That I've Work With Willie On My Project, I've Been Satisfied My Latin Music Is Hot Cause Of WillieRuiz)...Coming Soon.) Salsa...:) . He's A Underrated Musician Arranger Very Educated And Professional . I Love His Work, Pura Salsa.! The Real Salsa.!!! All My Best Wishes To My Friend Willie Ruiz.! .....From A.K.A Singer,Composer & Producer CheoRico~!
Influences:
Type of Label: Major
