Gilbert Velasquez, born in Seguin, TX and raised in San Antonio, TX. President of "Velasquez Productions Inc.", has been a part of "Tejano Music" since the mid-1970s. He began performing as a guitarist in the early-1970s and finally jointed The Royal Jesters in 1974 recording the album The Band. From 1976 to 1979 Gilbert toured Europe, the Far East and beyond with a band called SugarJammer, bringing tejano music to thousands of our military troops overseas. After returning to San Antonio again in 1979 Gilbert joined the David Marez band People, finishing the 1970s with this popular group at that time. In 1980 he was asked to join Latin Breed and thus began his quarter century affiliation with this legendary band. In the 1980s Gilbert worked closely with the newborn TTMA to begin what we know today as the Tejano Music Awards. Gilbert's input ranged from writing rhythm charts for a multitude of artists who performed at this show during those years, to working as a house engineer and a mixing engineer on live recording dates.
Also, in 1980 Gilbert began working as a studio musician at Amen Recording Studios. Gilbert quickly became involved in production both as an arranger and as a recording engineer. In the early-1980s Gilbert worked as a staff producer for Cara Records. He recorded/produced groups at that time including Mazz, La Mafia, Selena y Los Dinos, Bobby Naranjo y Dirreccion, and Charro Band. In 1988 he produced the landmark CD Breakin' the Rules for Latin Breed. He also recorded/produced Tejanos for Hunger featuring virtually every Tejano artist of the time.
The 1990s brought an ever-growing roster of recording/producing accomplishments for Gilbert, his reputation as a top notch producer/engineer reached beyond the boundaries of Texas as he traveled to Monterrey and Mexico City to work for record companies such as Universal Mexico, EMI Mexico, Balboa Records and Discos MCM, although this music is largely norteño and grupero, "I was so proud and humbled, at every turn musicians would refer to the work I did for Tejano music," says Velasquez.
"The Band"
In 1988, Gilbert formed a group of studio musicians that included Chente Barrera, Jerry De La Rosa, Speedy Villanueva and Joel Guzman which was the group heard on so many recordings at that time (Laura Canales, Ram Herrera, Jean LeGrand, Stephanie Lynn, Jay Perez, Latin Breed,etc.). This group of musicians would eventually become the Jay Perez band. He worked with Jay as musical director for the next two years, producing Jay's first two hit CDs.
In 1995 Velasquez finally opened Velasquez Productions Inc., a production house that features a full digital/analog recording studio, rehearsal space, pre-production suite and Velasquez Music Publishing. He has weathered the storms of criticism, time and age, but continues to produce all genres of music on an international level.
Gilbert is currently on the Board of Governors of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences).
Gilbert has been awarded a total of eight Grammy / Latin Grammy Awards for his work on various projects as a producer/engineer. He has also won a total of nine Tejano Awards, three Tejano Academy awards and one TEMA award. In November of 2006 Velasquez was inducted into the Tejano Root's Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to Tejano Music.
In 2007 he was presented the Tex Mex Gibson Special Achievement in Music Producing award. He continues to be a part of the Gibson Guitar family.
A complete listing of the literally hundreds (thousands?) of recordings will be updated soon.
14 Time Grammy/Latin Grammy
2001 Grupo Limite "Por Encima De Todo" Latin Grammy
2002 Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz "Siempre Humilde" Latin Grammy
2004 Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz "Live In The Valley" Latin Grammy
2004 Joel Guzman, David Lee Garza & Sunny Sauceda "Polkas, Gritos y Acordeones"
2005 Joel Guzman, David Lee Garza & Sunny Sauceda "Polkas, Gritos y Acordeones" Latin Grammy
2006 Chente Barrera y Taconazo "Sigue El Taconazo"
2007 Little Joe y La Familia "Before The Last Teardrop Falls"
2008 Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution "Viva La Revolucion"
2009 Best Tejano Album
2010 Little Joe y La Familia "Recuerdos"
2011 Best Tejano Album
2006 Tejano Roots Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 Gibson Award Winner For Special Achievement In Tex-Mex Music
Tejano Music Awards
1993 Producer of The Year
1995 Producer of The Year
1995 Guitarist of The Year
1998 Producer of The Year
1999 Guitarist of The Year
2005 Producer of The Year
2007 Producer of The Year
Academy of Tejano Artists & Musicians
2004 Best Orchestra (Latin Breed)
2005 Best Guitar
2006 Best Guitar
2008 Best Guitar
2011 Mike Chavez South Texas Music Awards "Best Recording Engineer"
2011 New Mexico Hisapano Entertainers Association "Engineer of The Year"
1995
La Traizion- Quiero Amarte
1997
La Traizion- Solo Contigo
2011
Joe Posada - As Yet Untitled
Chente Barrera - As Yet Untitled
Jerry Lopez - "Mis Raices"
Jay Perez - "The Voice of Authority"
Linna - "Enamorada"
La Fuerza - "Mucha Corazon"
The Royal Jesters "Live Reunion"
Los Barela Bros. - "Brindando"
2010
Alberto Gonzalez - "Nomas Por Ti"
Linda Escobar - "Leona Enjaulada"
Joe Posada - "In The Pocket"
Avizo - "Mas Amigos"
Avizo - "Power Trip"
Monica Castro - "Phaze 3"
Los Aguilares - "50 Años De Buenos Recuerdos"
2009
Joe Posada - "Point of View"
Avizo - "Recordando Josefa"
Oscar G. - "Welcome To Your Party"
Bob Gallarza - "On Common Ground"
David Marez - "Eclipse Total"
Jay Perez - "All The Way Live"
Ruben Ramos - "Revolutionized"
Henry Rivas - "Reignited"
Alicia Villarreal - "La Jefa"
Jay Perez - "All The Way Live"
2008
Joe Posada - "Friends & Legends"
Joe B. & The Baron Band - "Para Ti"
Chente Barrera y Taconazo - "Music Lessons
Chente Barrera y Taconazo - "Ten Years"
A.J. Castillo - "Who I Am"
Arturo Castillo
Los Hermanos Cortez - "La Tradicion"
Los Enmascarados - "No Somos Luchadores"
Elizabeth - "Siempre"
Linda Escobar - "La Diva De Conjunto"
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "Live/En Vivo 2"
Rudy Palacios - "Que Vivan Los Tejanos"
Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz - "Legend Continues... La Leyenda Continuacion"
Los TexManiacs - "About Time"
Ruben Ramos - "Collector's Series, Vol. 1"
Mazz - "Mariachi y Tradicion"
Little Joe y La Familia - "Cheating Heart"
Little Joe y La Familia - "Tribute To Sunny Ozuna"
2007
Joe Posada - "Despacito"
Avizo - "Horn City"
Amado Castillo - "Mundo De Maldad"
Arturo Castillo - "Perdon Señor Perdon"
Dee & Delia - "De Nuevo Otra Vez"
Los Enmascarados - "Conjunto 4 Life"
Leslie Lugo - "Leslie Lugo"
David Marez - "Corazon De Oro"
Maria Elena - "Still/Todavia"
Rudy Palacios - "Canciones Del Corazon"
Ruben Ramos - "35th Anniversary"
Frankie Morales - "Toda Velocidad"
Bobby Pulido - "Enfermo De Amor"
Jay Perez - "La Voz De 2008"
2006
Joe Posada - "Amor Y Fuego"
Chente Barrera - "Sigue El Taconazo"
Crossroads - "Crossroads"
Shaggy Garcia y Recuerdos - "Pensando En Ti"
Jay Perez - "All of Me"
Rebecca Valadez - "Rebecca Valadez"
Masivo - "Enamorado De Ti"
Los Desperadoz - "Whatever It Takes"
Megan Leyva - "Siempre Para Ti"
2005
Joe Posada - "Then & Now"
Juan Gotti - "John Ghetto"
The Royal Jesters - "Odyssey"
La Fuerza - "Veneno"
Stampede - "Mejor Que Nunca"
Avizo - "Power of Friends"
Los Pioneers - "Traigo Un Amor"
Michael Salgado - "El Zurdo De Oro"
Sabor Kolombia - "Ritmo De Mi Barrio"
Michael Salgado - "Volver, Volver"
Myriam - "Vete De Aqui"
Conjunto Sueno Norteno - "Loco"
Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz - "Mazz Cumbias"
2004
David Allen - "Cambia Mi Vida"
Mensaje - "Tu Me Vuelvos Loco"
Euforia - "Sim Limites"
Grupo Rival - "Grupo Rival"
Dinora y La Juventud "P.D. - Los Quiero"
2003
Little Joe y La Familia - "Celebration of Life Vol. 2"
Joshua - "Nuevo Amanacer"
Rene Rene - "Exitos"
Intocable - "Nuestro Destino Estaba Escrito"
2002
Joe Posada - "The Family Business"
Chente Barrera y Taconazo - "Mi Inspiracion"
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "Estamos Unidos"
Intocable - "Sueños"
Jay Perez - "Hombre En La Luna"
Susy Gonzalez - "No Me Olvides"
Little Joe y La Familia - "Celebration of Live Vol. 1"
Joseph & Hispano - "Te Quiero Mas"
Conjunto Primavera - "En Vivo Para Ti, Vol. 2"
Conjunto Primavera - "Perdoname Mi Amor"
2001
Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz - "Siempre Humilde"
Grupo Milagro - "Siempre Tu Corazon"
2000
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "20/20"
Liberty Band - "Liberty Classics"
Maria Elena - "Mas Que Una Cancion"
Joshua - "Soldado De Jesus"
Michael Marquez - "Deseos"
Grupo Limite - "Por Encima De Todo"
La Tropa F - "Soldados De Plata"
Texas Latino - "Totalmente Latino"
Stampede - "Amame"
Conjunto Primavera - "Ansia De Amar"
1999
Los Chavalozz - "Fuego"
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "Nadie Como Yo"
Stefani Montiel - "Dulce Sensacion"
Stampede - Que Viva El Tejano"
Adrian y Destino - "Dejame Amarte"
Gary Hobbs - "Mirame A Mi"
La Tropa F - "XXVIII Aniversario: Pasado, Presente y Futuro"
Gary Hobbs - "Despues De Ti"
Grupo Limite - "En Vivo, En Concierto"
1998
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "Tour '98"
Various Artists - "A Tejano Christmas Party"
David Allen - "Cruzando Fronteras"
Chente Barrera y Taconazo - "Puro Taconazo"
Laura Canales - "Tres Deseos"
Los Desperadoz - "Breakin' The Barrier"
Elizabeth Gutierrez - "Amantes"
Ram Herrera - "Con El Mismo Amor"
Margarita - "Margarita"
Jay Perez - "Toda Mi Vida"
Bobby Pulido - "En Vivo Desde Monterrey"
Talisman - "El Compadre"
La Tropa F - "Desde El Corazon De Tejas"
Augie Meyers - "My Main Squeeze"
Various Artists - "Grandes Hits Con Mariachi"
1997
Fama - "Sin Duda"
Ram Herrera - "Cuenta Conmigo"
Shelly Lares - "Aqui Me Encuentro"
Mazz - "Al Frente De Todos"
Bobby Pulido - "Llegaste A Mi Vida"
Stefani - "Porque Soy Mujer"
La Traizion - "Solo Contigo"
Becky Lee Meza - "Vive Tu Sueno"
1996
J Posada - "J Posada"
Jay Perez - "No Limits"
Laura Canales - "Frente A Frente"
Connexion - "Regresa"
Delia y Culturas - "Una Nueva Aventura"
Los Desperadoz - "Rawhide"
Gary Hobbs - "Ardiente"
Jay Perez - "No Limits"
Margo Reymundo - "Margo Reymundo"
Rodeo - "Nuestro Tiempo"
Joel Nava & The Border - "Soy Otro"
Various Artists - "Canta La Vida"
Grupo Aguila - "Ya Aprendi A Volar"
Juan P. Moreno - "Dicho Soy"
1995
Jay Perez - "The Voice"
Connexion - "Connexion"
Eddie Gonzalez - "Ay Cariñito"
Gary Hobbs - "Soy El Mismo"
Mazz - "Solo Para Ti"
David Marez - "Soy Tuyo"
Stephanie Lynn - "Besame"
Estrella - "Too Hot To Handle"
Estefan - "Realidad"
1994
Joe Posada - "Cancion Para Mi Padre"
Jay Perez - "Steel Rain"
Laura Canales - "Con Mucho Amor, Laura"
Jay Perez - "Steel Rain"
Rodeo - "Unidos"
Various Artists - "Branding Irons 1994"
Grupo Aguila - "Pajaro De Lujo"
Tormenta - "Nos Vemos En El Cielo"
David Marez - "Todo Por Amor"
Eddie Gonzalez - "100%"
1993
Joe Posada - "Breakaway"
Jay Perez - "Te Llevo En Mi"
Mazz - "Que Esperabas"
Tormenta - "Llorando Gotitas De Sangre"
Gary Hobbs - "Te Vas Acordar"
Divino - "Unstoppable"
Bob Gallarza - "Forever"
Gary Hobbs - "Live"
City View - "No Todo Lo Que Brilla Es Oro"
George Rivas - "Pacto De Amor"
Grupo Aguila - "Otro Sentimiento"
Stephanie Lynn & High Energy - "Stephanie Lynn"
La Fiebre - "911"
Pete Astudillo - "Como Nadie"
1992
Joe Posada - "My Best 15"
Laura Canales - "Dile A Tu Esposa"
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "1392"
Pete Astudillo - "Entregate A Mi"
Mazz - "Lo Hare Por Ti"
Emilio - "Live"
Mazz - "Una Noche Juntos"
Ram Herrera - "Pensamientos"
Albert "Tiger" Diaz - "Ridin' High"
Mazz - "Straight From The Heart"
David Marez - "The Voice Is Back"
Little Joe y La Familia - "Que Paso"
1991
Joe Posada - "Playin' With Style"
City View Band - "Esa Mujer"
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales - "Con El Tiempo"
Mazz - "Number 16"
Grupo Aguila - "No Vuelvo Contigo"
Rocky Hernandez - "Que Seas Feliz"
Mazz - "Standing Ovation"
1990
Albert "Tiger" Diaz - "Con Pasion"
Mazz - "Para Nuestra Gente"
Johnny Rodriguez - "Coming Home"
Selena - "Ven Conmigo"
