Ray Martínez is an American dance music songwriter, musician, singer from the late 1970s and 1980s, who later became a record producer, engineer, and record label owner/executive, He is well known within the industry for having helped originate what has become known worldwide as the "Miami Sound", created out of the biggest independent record label of that era, T.K. Records. He used his innovative sound to create Paris International Records, his own independently owned label, which released many dance hits during those great times for the industry..
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Martinez was born in Cuba, on October 9, from an American father and a Cuban mother. Although he and his family commuted between the United States and Cuba, Martinez permanently moved to Miami, Florida at the age of ten. Having studied piano since the age of five, he graduated from Miami Dade Community College, and continued his higher education at FAU, Florida Atlantic University, majoring in Music, and Business. He also pursued post-graduate courses. From the age of sixteen, Martinez was always involved playing in top local bands. In 1973, while playing at a top Miami Beach night club The Seven Seas Lounge, he was asked to join the band "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons". This is where Martinez enjoyed a taste of the "Big Times", and started getting involved in the music industry more from an industry level, and not just as a performer.
In 1975, after having experienced what the industry's "Big Times" was all about, Martinez returned to Miami. He walked into the offices at T.K Records, which at the time, was beginning to grow as one of the top music record companies in the world. There, he was welcomed, and given the opportunity to start expanding his knowledge. Henry Stone, a music industry icon, took him under his wing, and became his mentor. By having the opportunity to be Stone's protegee, Martinez learned his craft from the best person in the industry. Martinez had to come through the ranks from the very first step. Starting as a studio musician, he stayed after hours, watching and learning, and became a recording engineer, reaching the status of Chief Engineer. His musical talents led him to produce most of the artists at T.K. He went on to produce major hits, for several major and independent music labels worldwide.
At T.K., Martinez experimented with his flair for "Afro-Cuban" percussion, and mixed it with the R & B sound that T.K. was famous for. This is where the original "Miami Sound" originated from, later on to be emulated all over the world, and soon becoming a worldwide musical trend that still is talked about and relished today. In 1978, he formed studio group, Amant, who had disco hits with the tracks, "If There Is Love" and "Hazy Shades of Love". Both tracks peaked at number five on the disco chart.[1] As an engineer/producer/artist, he has many Billboard nationally charted records,. Several gold records worldwide, as well as a Grammy nominee, and several Billboard Awards. In 2006, was inducted into one of Europe's "Dance Music Hall Of Fame".
Founded and served as operating president of Paris International, a top independent label. At T.K. was influential in introducing the concept of the 12" record for promotional purposes. Taught seminars at the University of Miami in Music Business and Production. Established many new promotion, and distribution concepts that later became standards in the industry. After retirement in the early 1990s, Martinez continued serving the music industry as a "legal consultant" for several music companies, and entertainment attorneys. He also ran a very successful family owned real estate acquisition/ investment company.
In 2006, Martinez decided to come out of retirement, and give the industry the uplift that he once gave it. He opened Paris Music Group, not only a full fledged entertainment company, but Paris International Studios as well. a "State Of The Arts" recording studio. You can see more details at www.parismusicgroup.com
www.discomusic.com
www.discomuseum.com
www.djsportal.com
Google searches under: Ray Martinez, "Lady Of The Night", "Amant", Dance Music, Disco Music, T.K. Records
Billboard Magazine articles from the 1970s and 1980s, Record World Magazine articles from the late 1970s, Cashbox Magazine articles from the late 1970'