Bass player, composer, arranger,
producer and director.
Gary Núñez, graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and
then Magna Cum Laude from the Music Conservatory of Puerto
Rico, nonetheless Gary credits "la calle" (public performance)
and its fellow musicians for his true musical knowledge. A self
taught bass player, Gary learned other instruments, including
drums, guitar and vibraphone, before finding his "true voice"
through the four string double bass.
producer and director.
Gary Núñez, graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and
then Magna Cum Laude from the Music Conservatory of Puerto
Rico, nonetheless Gary credits "la calle" (public performance)
and its fellow musicians for his true musical knowledge. A self
taught bass player, Gary learned other instruments, including
drums, guitar and vibraphone, before finding his "true voice"
through the four string double bass.
Gary has always had his own independent voice and musical
vision. That is why in 1975, while the Latin music world was
tuned to "salsa", he chose to deeply study the history and styles
of Puerto Rican music.
He learned to play the "cuatro puertorriqueño" (Puerto Rico’s
national string instrument) and developed a group that would
become one of the most important strongholds for the
development of the "New Song" movement in Puerto Rico,
"Moliendo Vidrio".
With this group, Gary became involved in the development of two
tendencies that later would be a part of the music industry in
Puerto Rico. The development and projection of musical groups
based on Puerto Rico’s countryside music and the realization of
independent musical recordings, outside of the major labels.
In the 80’s, after forming his own "salsa" orchestra with a typical
Puerto Rican flavor, Gary developed "Caribe Jazz". This jazz
project was based on the fusion of the musical structure of jazz,
on top of Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms. This tendency would later
be further developed by top Puerto Rican jazz performers.
In the 90’s, and as a product of "plena" jam sessions, Gary
Nuñez delved into one of the richest, happiest, most dancable
music in Puerto Rican culture; the Plena. Except for extraordinary
folklore presentations, the "plena" had been virtually silent for
almost fifteen years. In 1994, Gary created and designed a new
sound, concept and strategy for the "plena", and thus, Plena
Libre was born.
vision. That is why in 1975, while the Latin music world was
tuned to "salsa", he chose to deeply study the history and styles
of Puerto Rican music.
He learned to play the "cuatro puertorriqueño" (Puerto Rico’s
national string instrument) and developed a group that would
become one of the most important strongholds for the
development of the "New Song" movement in Puerto Rico,
"Moliendo Vidrio".
With this group, Gary became involved in the development of two
tendencies that later would be a part of the music industry in
Puerto Rico. The development and projection of musical groups
based on Puerto Rico’s countryside music and the realization of
independent musical recordings, outside of the major labels.
In the 80’s, after forming his own "salsa" orchestra with a typical
Puerto Rican flavor, Gary developed "Caribe Jazz". This jazz
project was based on the fusion of the musical structure of jazz,
on top of Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms. This tendency would later
be further developed by top Puerto Rican jazz performers.
In the 90’s, and as a product of "plena" jam sessions, Gary
Nuñez delved into one of the richest, happiest, most dancable
music in Puerto Rican culture; the Plena. Except for extraordinary
folklore presentations, the "plena" had been virtually silent for
almost fifteen years. In 1994, Gary created and designed a new
sound, concept and strategy for the "plena", and thus, Plena
Libre was born.
Gary has been in charge of all the album productions (13) and musical
arrangements for Plena Libre, which have lead to four Grammy
nominations and performances in fifteen countries around the world.
He has contributed over fifty (50) original musical compositions
performed and recorded by the group, which embody a new lyrical
perspective for the "plena".
Gary's contributions to the development and promotion of Puerto Rican
music though his different projects have been recognized by many
institutions; including the the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, the
Commission for the 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of Puerto Rico
and America, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Puerto
Rico. In addition, he is included in books that trace the history of Puerto
Rico’s popular music like "Del Bolero a la Nueva Cancion" (From the
"Bolero" to the New Song), written by Pedro Malavet Vega, and the
"Music Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico" by Professor Hector Campos Parsi.
Considered to be a proficient musician, an innovator and consistent lover
and "worker" of Puerto Rican music, Gary Nuñez is always expanding the
reach of this music, while in search of his own voice and identity in the
music world.
arrangements for Plena Libre, which have lead to four Grammy
nominations and performances in fifteen countries around the world.
He has contributed over fifty (50) original musical compositions
performed and recorded by the group, which embody a new lyrical
perspective for the "plena".
Gary's contributions to the development and promotion of Puerto Rican
music though his different projects have been recognized by many
institutions; including the the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, the
Commission for the 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of Puerto Rico
and America, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Puerto
Rico. In addition, he is included in books that trace the history of Puerto
Rico’s popular music like "Del Bolero a la Nueva Cancion" (From the
"Bolero" to the New Song), written by Pedro Malavet Vega, and the
"Music Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico" by Professor Hector Campos Parsi.
Considered to be a proficient musician, an innovator and consistent lover
and "worker" of Puerto Rican music, Gary Nuñez is always expanding the
reach of this music, while in search of his own voice and identity in the
music world.
