Rafael Gomez

Rafael Gomez is a Venezuelan musician/producer whose musical work is an interesting compound of different styles such as: Latin, Electronica, Rock, Bossa, Funk and Venezuelan folk. He coherently blends these rhythms creating his signature sound.Rafael has been a prolific artist in his native country. He started his musical ride as an adolescent when in 1986 he formed the band Area. This Latin Rock band became an important marker for his later success.In 1990 he enrolled at Ars Nova School of Music. At the same time, he studied at Venezuela’s Central University (UCV) where he obtained a degree in Social Communication (Audio-Visual field). While at Ars Nova, Rafael met with other innovative musicians with whom he would later collaborate. Among these are: Ruben Martinez Santana (Latin Pop), Cesar Munoz (Latin Pop) and Oscar Fanega (Rock).In 1993, Lapamariposa was formed. This was an Experimental-Latin-Fusion band that was vastly influential and well recognized by the musical society. In 1999, Rafael joined Bacalao Men to add an unorthodox style of guitar playing to it. This band has become one of the most important alternative bands in Venezuela, earning the highest reviews and great respect in the musical community. As well, it has obtained the most important national music awards. In 1999, they won Best New Band by the “Casa del Artista”. In 2002 and 2006, they won Best Album, Best Band, and Best Production of the Venezuelan “Pop and Rock” awards.With these different bands, Rafael has shared the stage with internationally acclaimed artists such as: Chucho Valdes, Gustavo Cerati, Los Amigos Invisibles, Cabezas de Cera, Desorden Publico and Tiken Jah Fakoly.Aside from being a performer and songwriter, Rafael has done important work as a producer. As part of Estereobata Production Company, he composed music for HBO Latin-American Documentaries and TV promotions that were viewed across South America and Mexico. He also served as a producer for the internationally known singer/actress Maria Conchita Alonso. Rafael’s musical work has been included in soundtracks of motion pictures such as Cronicas (Mexico-Ecuador) and Amor en Concreto (Venezuela).In 2003, Rafael decided to further his studies as a music producer and sound engineer at the Harris Institute in Toronto, Canada. During his time in Canada, he worked with Sambacana (Brazilian band) as a guitarist and audio engineer. During this time, he had the opportunity to record his guitar playing on one track of Nelly Furtado’s album “Folklore” featuring Caetano Veloso.In 2005 Rafael moved to Boston, U.S. where he currently resides. At present, he is working as a music producer for Tacata Productions, performing live, recording his first album as a solo artist, and just finished the music score for the venezuelan film "Puras Joyitas". In April 2008 he had the opportunity to play with Lila Downs as part of her US Spring Tour 2008.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4