Byron Brizuela—who’s worked with Los Angeles-based music/sound design house Groove Addicts as a composer for the past two years—has been named to head the company’s newly formed Latin division. Brizuela’s credits at Groove Addicts include Hispanic market spots for Coca-Cola’s "Surge," via Leo Burnett Co., Chicago; and Spanish, English-language and hybrid Spanglish ads for Jose Cuervo Tequila via Siboney, Dallas. He also produced "Revolution," a Latin crossover music collection for Who Did That Music? Library, which is Groove Addicts’ sister company.
Groove Addicts’ president/ founder Dain Blair explained that "with the growing Hispanic market and the mainstream popularity of such Latin artists as Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias, we felt that it was time to launch a division dedicated to this genre."
A producer, composer and remixer specializing in Latin, urban and electronic music, Brizuela was described by Blair "as a natural choice" to head the company’s Latin operation. Brizuela said of his new role, "It is a very exciting time to be a part of Latin music. There is still an enormous amount of undiscovered talent within the Latin and urban markets that I can’t wait to tap into."
Brizuela will be responsible for taking the client’s vision from concept to finished product, as well as doing his own composing and perhaps starring in some of the commercials he composes, as he recently did for Jose Cuervo’s "Millennium" campaign. Brizuela’s music has been licensed for film, television and radio. His sound has attracted such clients as Telemundo, Televisa, Eco, CNN and BET, as well as various independent film companies, and television and cable networks.
He is currently under contract with Sony, producing and remixing for numerous artists; his endeavors there include remixing classic songs from that company’s catalog, and writing songs for their artists.
Blair launched Groove Addicts in ’96, building a digital studio and assembling a team of commercial composers as well as a roster of feature film composers who are represented exclusively for spots. The lineup of feature artisans includes Danny Elfman, Stewart Copeland, Jerry Goldsmith, David Arnold and Michael Kamen.
Meanwhile, Groove Addicts’ core spot composers have turned out a recent spate of projects: Clive Wright on Gatorade’s "Is It In You" campaign for FCB, Chicago; Al Capps for Oscar Mayer Lunchables via J. Walter Thompson, Chicago; Brad Chiet, Bruce Watson and Syn-G for a package of Toys R Us spots out of Leo Burnett Co., Chicago; Chiet, Ralph Schuckett and Dan Holter on J.C. Penney ads via Temerlin McClain, Dallas; Harry Cody on Chivas Regal for TBWA/Chiat/ Day, New York; and sound designer Jonathan Miller on Oldsmobile for Leo Burnett.
