User:Nell Rivas

Victor Hugo Rivas-Toro

Victor Hugo Rivas-Toro, better known as Victor Hugo, was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1965 and is one of the leading Salsa performers and composers today, with a musical catalogue of more than 12 albums and 150 songs.

Early Life and Career

One of four children born to Maria Toro and Emiliano, Victor Hugo's link to music was through his mother, an actress and songstress in his native Venezuela. Although educating himself in other fields he always gravitated towards music, a pursuit that has engaged him all of his life. He became part of the High School choir and rose to Assistant Musical Director with aspirations to compose music for others. However, unable at that time to sell his songs, he decided to sing them himself.

Success

As a young man, he left Venezuela for London and become a pioneer of Latin music in Europe. He founded and lead a number of high profile latin bands as well as making several forays into the world of Latin Pop. He ventured twice into the popular music charts with ‘Tequila’ on Island Records and the dance hit ‘The Latin Thing’ with Faze Records, both of which entered the Top 10. His own compositions have been featured in films and advertising campaigns and his name has been associated with Bacardi, Signal, Corona, Tequila and El Cuervo amongst others. As one of the most accomplished and talented Latin musicians in Europe, Victor Hugo has lent his band to, and collaborated with many of the great names of Salsa including El Canario, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Junior Gonzalez, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Tito Nieves, Mario Civico, Palmieri, and Oscar D’Leon. One of his first recordings ‘Salsa con Samba’ included some of his own compositions. Following this Victor went on to record another three albums with his own band: ‘Oye Latino’ became an anthem to the Latin diaspora; ‘Tropicalisimo’ had tracks featured in the motion picture 'Janice Beard' as well as the world-wide Bacardi advert 'Available behind bars' and 'Latinoamerica' was recorded in Germany with the help of another piano meister, Armin Keil, who had been successfully writing for Cano Extremera and Conexion Latina in Germany.

Having joined the Colombian super group Grupo Niche on stage, Victor was invited to join forces with the band in the studio, resulting in a series of recordings beginning with the album 'El Niche Soy Yo'. Other albums followed as the musical relationship flourished with Julio Cortes, the extraordinary pianist from Grupo Niche that Victor now works with. ‘Salsa Pa America’ was awarded best Salsa Album by JPF music awards USA 2006, and was followed by 'Que Pasa' another successful Salsa album in the USA and worldwide.

Each of his songs is interpreted with deep emotion. Victor Hugo loves his music passionately, and makes his music passionately, and looks to his compositions as an opportunity to combine his most intimate feelings with the powerful delivery of his work.In the fall of 2008 Victor Hugo released ‘Salsa Perfecta’ and is currently working on the next project.

Personal Life

Victor Hugo lives with his family in London and has two children, Alexander and America. As well as his music, he has a passion for painting, photography and film making.