Album Notes

New Latinoamerica 2005

This Project (Latinoamerica) was made possible thanks to the coming together of three diverse individuals, Victor Hugo, Armin Keil and Jose Cortijo all of whom have one thing in common - The Love of Salsa and the Joy it generates. It has now been digitally re-mastered to bring out the best sounds possible and show the virtuosity of the performers involved.
Venezuelan born Victor Hugo is a talented composer and electric performer whose inspired vocals and pure energy bring this music to life and whose vision is here brought to light. Jose Cortijo, percussionist virtuoso enriches Armin Keil sensational arrangements with his talented and insightful playing.

This CD as a musical project will dwell forever with the great legends of Latin music and will place the names of Victor Hugo, Jose Cortijo and Armin Keil in the list of greats artists, that have endeavoured to bring the superlative sound of Salsa the universal recognition it deserves.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Victor Hugo graduated from Universidad Central de Venezuela in Performing Arts. His mother was an actress and folklore singer and was a well known face in film and television. Whilst still a teenager, Victor starred in and directed several theatre musicals

He left his home to go to London to pursue a career in the arts, having won a scholarship from the Venezuelan government to study film making whilst continuing his work in music. Undeterred by the loss of his funding with political change at home, Victor continued in his musical career.

As one of the most accomplished and talented Latin musicians, Victor Hugo has lent his band to, and collaborated with many of the great names of Salsa. This impressive list of Salseros includes Grupo Niche, Kike Harvey, David Pabon, El Canario, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Júnior González, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Tito Nieves, Mariano Civico, Palmieri, and Oscar D'Leon. His latest recordings are with Grammy award nominated ' Son de Cali' -from Cali-Colombia with whom he is presently recording his latest compositions.

A pioneer of Latin music in Europe, Victor founded and lead a number of high profile bands as well as making several forays into the world of Latin Pop, including Tequila with Island Records and more recently with the dance hit 'The Latin Thing' with Faze Records, both of which entered the Top 10. Victor's own compositions have been featured in films and advertising and his name has been associated with Bacardi, Colgate, Corona, Tequila El Cuervo amongst others.

Currently he has a further three projects being prepared -one for completion shortly in Cali, Colombia, one scheduled for completion in Cuba 'Salsa in English' and a third 'Salsa Pa America' !The musical! This is a collaborative project to be brought to fruition in London UK.

Victor, a charismatic and energetic performer, is first choice for international festivals, theatre events and celebrity parties, receiving superlative reviews wherever he goes. With his band, he performs for many of the rich and famous, throughout the world. Most recently, he completed a very successful tour of the Far East and has plans to return later this year for further performances and master classes.
You can also find Victor Hugo lecturing and giving workshops in Colleges and Universities all over Europe about "Latin America Music History" and the social and political influences of past and present on Latin American popular music; as his specialist subject to students of Latin America studies as well as other related studies. Today you are likely to find him performing his own compositions on stage anywhere in the world, as he says 'wherever the music takes me'.