Julio Bagué (born January 17, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a producer, arranger and music executive. Bagué has received multiple Latin Grammy Award nominations, and won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Album for his work with Jon Secada featuring The Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band on the recording To Beny Moré with Love. Bagué is also known for signing, developing and promoting Latin music artists internationally in his capacity as a vice president of US Latin East Coast and Puerto Rico for peermusic. Bagué has been with this independent, multi-national music publishing firm for nearly two decades.[1]

Julio Bagué
Born (1968-01-17) January 17, 1968 (age 56)
Occupation(s)Vice President - peermusic Latin Division East Coast & Puerto Rico, Music Producer, Arranger
Years active1993–present
Notable work
Musical career
Genres
LabelsAlcione, Peer Southern Productions

Early life edit

Bagué began his music career at the age of seven, perfecting his violin playing and making early attempts at composing.[2] He was later mentored by maestro Carlos Varela, a graduate from the Juilliard School of Music who worked as an arranger/orchestrator in the jazz, Latin and classical fields with artists such as Louie Armstrong, Count Basie and Arturo Toscanini.[3] Bagué graduated with a master's degree in Music from the University of Miami in 1993.

Career edit

1990s: Music industry beginnings edit

His career as a producer and composer began with film scores for award-winning director Brendan Fraser, as well as various jingles and spots for such clients as Radio Disney and Bacardi.[3] By 1993, Bagué had been songwriting and arranging with Miami-based jazz musician, Laura Bradley, and collaborating with Néstor Torres, Exposé and Tito Puente.[4]

He later went on to compose music for theater and ballet, receiving excellent reviews in venues including Coconut Grove Playhouse, The Colony Theater and Juegos del Arte Dance Ensemble. With music culled from these works, Bagué creating two albums as a recording artist (Origin and Caribbean Dream) on the Alcione Music label. Origin received great acceptance in France, as the title track was used as the official song celebrating the eclipse of 1999. The song "Ceiba" from Caribbean Dream was the theme song for the television series "En Ruta Por..." in Puerto Rico, and was also utilized as the promotional campaign spot for the island's "Jardin Botanico de Caguas" botanical garden.

From 1996-1999, Bague worked with internationally renowned composer/producer Alejandro Jaen as arranger, songwriter and producer. His first foray into music publishing was assisting Jaen as a song plugger when he created the Ventura Music publishing company. During this time with Jaen, he worked on artist projects such as Menudo/MDO, Ommar Hernandez, and Flamenco icon Peret.[3]

2022-2017: Peermusic and Music Production edit

External image
Julio Bagué arrives for the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala
  View image here

This 2022 Julio Bagué is recording the music for the film about the life of Joe Arroyo ¨Rebelión¨ and he has produced the album ¨Ella¨ with Daniela Padrón and Glenda del E released by Oleta Music, this album is a tribute to the latin american writers.

In 2021 Bagué found the independent record label Oleta Music, which first álbum to release ¨Solos¨ with Jon Secada and Gonzalo Rubalcaba was nominated for a Latin Grammy and it was produced by Bagué.

In 2000, Bagué was named Creative Manager for peermusic, the largest privately owned music publisher in the world.[5] In 2003, Bagué was promoted to newly created position of East Coast Creative Director of peermusic's U.S. Latin division, and assigned to handle creative affairs for Puerto Rico.[6] As Creative Director, his skills led him to develop talent such as the duo "Bacha,” composed of members Jorge Luis Chacin and Juliana Barrios. Bagué produced and arranged their self-titled album which was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in 2005. In 2006, Bagué served on the judging panel for peermusic's third annual Latin Scholarship for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions, which was awarded to Berklee College of Music student, Marco A. Godoy.[5]

Bagué took over operations for peermusic's Miami office in 2009. During this period, the company acquired the PMC and Ventura Music catalogs and signed Sony recording artists Víctor Manuelle and Chayanne to worldwide music publishing agreements. Bagué produced and signed to the US Latin Grammy nominated artists ChocQuibTown, and Tropical recording artists, Melina León and Carolina la O.[6] Bagué was named peermusic's Executive Director - Miami and Puerto Rico in 2012.[6] He produced Cofresí, the operetta by composer Rafael Hernández that immortalizes the renowned Puerto Rican pirate, Roberto Cofresí. The album was released in 2013 after an extensive two year reconstruction of a Latin music masterpiece thought to be lost, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy that year in the Best Classical Album category.[7] Additionally, the recording was awarded a cultural patronage of Puerto Rico by UNESCO.

External image
Julio Bagué pictured with salsa artist Edwin Bonilla and BMI's Delia Orjuela in 2013.
  View image here

In 2014, Bagué was promoted to Vice President of peermusic's Latin Division, for the East Coast and Puerto Rico.[8] Three years later, Bagué won a Latin Grammy Award for his work as producer of the album To Beny Moré with Love, a tribute by Jon Secada featuring the Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band to the legendary Cuban singer and bandleader, Beny Moré.[9]

During his career, Bagué has been responsible for signing top artist/songwriters, including Grammy Award-winning artist Gilberto Santa Rosa. He also added his personal touch as a producer/arranger on projects including Salsa superstar Carolina La O; Puerto Rican Merengue diva, Melina León; Latin Jazz trumpet virtuoso Charlie Sepúlveda and Reggaeton/Urban artist, Naldo. Bagué currently serves on the advisory boards for Musicians on Call, The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and St. Martha-Yamaha Concert Series.

Awards and honors edit

In 2019, Julio Bagué win the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical album with ¨Tiempo Al Tiempo¨ from Luis Enrique and C4 Trio for his work as producer and the Grammy nomination in 2020 for this album, also is named by the Billboard magazine as Latin Power Player.

In 2017, Bagué won a Latin Grammy Award in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album for his work as a producer on the album To Beny Moré with Love. A homage piece to the late great Cuban bandleader singer-songwriter Beny Moré, it was interpreted by Grammy award winner Jon Secada, featuring the Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band.

As album producer for Cofresí: Rafael Hernández, Bagué received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album in 2013.[10]

Bagué received three 2012 Latin Grammy nominations for his work with Colombian recording artists, ChocQuibTown. Bagué produced Eso Es Lo Que Hay, which was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album, including the song "Calentura," nominated for Record Of The Year.[11]

Bagué produced and arranged the self-titled album for the duo of Jorge Luis Chacín and Juliana Barrios, known as "Bachá."[12] The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Tropical Album in 2005.[13]

Other ventures edit

Philanthropy and Community edit

Julio Bagué is a board member of nonprofit organization, The Miami Foundation for a Greater Miami. Established in 1967, the Foundation manages $360 million in donor assets and has awarded almost $300 million in grants towards programs designed to enhance the quality of life in Miami.[14] Additionally, Bagué currently serves on the advisory board for Musicians on Call and on the board of governors for St. Martha-Yamaha Concert Series. He is Board Member of the Recording Academy for the Florida Chapter and Chairman in the Advocacy Comite and also He is part of the Latin Hall Of Fame comite.

Public speaking edit

In June 2014, Bagué was the feature guest speaker at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he spoke about his career in the music industry and the state of Latin music at that time.[15] Bagué has also spoken at several Music Business and Songwriting panels for the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami campus and was a guest Songwriting panelist at Miami Dade Community College.

Discography edit

Selected List of Credits

Year Artist Title Label Role
2018 Manu Manzo Intermedio Peer Southern Productions Producer, Executive Producer, Arranger
Marger Sola Sony Music Latin Producer
Marger Baby, Baby Sony Music Latin Producer
Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band & The Turnaround Songs for Nat High Note Records Producer
Jorge Luis Chacín Contento DNR Music, Inc. Producer, Arranger
2017 Nestor Torres Del Caribe, Soy! Latin American Flute Music Naxos Producer, Executive Producer[16]
Jon Secada featuring Charlie Sepúlveda & The Turnaround To Beny Moré with Love Peer Southern Productions, BMG Soundstage Producer, Executive Producer[17]
Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band & The Turnaround Mr. EP: A Tribute to Eddie Palmieri Highnote Records Producer[18]
Various performers The Roots of Popular Music: The Ralph S. Peer Story Sony Music Producer[19]
Kerreke Kerreke Kerreke Music Producer, Executive Producer, Arranger
MDO MDO Sony International Arranger, Engineer
2013 Various performers The Golden Age of Cuba: La Era Dorada Sony Music Compilation Producer, Liner Notes[20]
Rafael Dávila, Elaine Ortíz-Arándes, Roselín Pabón & The Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra Rafael Hernández's operetta, Cofresí Peer Southern Productions Producer, Executive Producer[21][22]
2012 Tito Puente Quatro: The Definitive Collection Sony Music Liner Notes, Quotation Author[23]
2011 ChocQuibTown Eso Es Lo Que Hay Peer Southern Productions, Sony Music Producer, Executive Producer[24][25]
2010 Melina León Dos Caras Peer Southern Productions Producer, Executive Producer, Arranger[26]
Carolina La O En Vivo Peer Southern Productions Producer, Executive Producer
2009 Carolina La O y Los Gemelos Reencuentro Con los Gemelos Peer Southern Productions Producer, Executive Producer
2007 Melina León Vas a Pagar y Sus Exitos Sony Music Distribution Executive Producer[27]
2004 Bachá Bachá Sony Music Distribution Producer, Arranger[28]
2001 Bagué Caribbean Dream Alcione Music Recording Artist, Producer[29]
1999 Bagué Origin Alcione Music Recording Artist[29][2]
External videos
  Julio Bagué appears in the documentary "To Beny Moré with Love, Jon Secada!" here

Filmography edit

Year Film Roles Notes
2018 Sin Filtro con Luis Miguel Self Contributor Telemundo biopic[30]
2017 To Beny Moré with Love, Jon Secada! Producer, Self Documentary directed by Peter M. Robles[31]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Carta, Linda. "Latin Music Publishing Pioneer peermusic celebrates 90th anniversary". Boom Online. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Artists". Alcione.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Peermusic Publishing Appoints Julio Bague To East Coast Creative Director". Music Industry News Network. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  4. ^ Schulman, Sandra (July 27, 1996). "Continental Drift - Miami". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  5. ^ a b "Marco Godoy Repeats Win of BMI Foundation's Peermusic Latin Scholarship". BMI. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Peermusic Names Julio Bague Executive Director, Miami And Puerto Rico". Music Industry News Network. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  7. ^ "BMI Celebrates the Release of Puerto Rican Masterpiece 'Cofresí'". BMI. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  8. ^ Cobo, Leila. "Peermusic Ups Yvonne Drazan and Julio Bague to VPs of Latin Division". Billboard. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  9. ^ "To Beny Moré with Love Wins Best Traditional Tropical Album Latin Grammy Award". World Music Central. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  10. ^ Khoshaba, Christy (22 November 2013). "Latin Grammys 2013: The complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  11. ^ Romero, Angie. "Latin Grammy Awards 2012 Full List of Nominees". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  12. ^ Cobo, Leila (October 15, 2005). "New Sounds Redefine Tropical Music". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  13. ^ "Complete list of 6th annual Latin Grammy nominations". The Orange County Register. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Miami Foundation Board and Staff". The Miami Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Guest Speaker: Peermusic Executive Director Julio Bagué". Full Sail University. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Del Caribe, Soy! Latin American Flute Music". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Jon Secada". Chaplin Entertainment. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Mr. EP: A Tribute to Eddie Palmieri". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  19. ^ "The Roots of Popular Music: The Ralph S. Peer Story". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  20. ^ "The Golden Age of Cuba: La Era Dorada". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Rafael Hernández". Naxos Records. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Cofresí". CDBaby. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Quatro: The Definitive Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  24. ^ "Julio Bagué". Discogs. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Choc Quib Town – Eso Es Lo Que Hay". Discogs. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  26. ^ "Dos Caras". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  27. ^ "Vas a Pagar y Sus Exitos". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  28. ^ "Bachá". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Bagué's Catalog". Alcione.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  30. ^ "Telemundo estrena Sin filtro: Especial Luis Miguel". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  31. ^ "To Beny More with Love, Jon Secada!". IMDB. Retrieved 27 July 2018.

External links edit