Frank Bello
Biography...
FRANK BELLO - PIANIST, ARRANGER, PRODUCER...
From the beginning...
For the past three decades the name FRANK BELLO has been a major part of the Miami / South Florida music scene. His moniker has represented quality at every level of the music spectrum - be it as an arranger / producer for Luis Enrique, Roberto Torres, Hansel & Raul, Omar Alfanno & Sophy or as pianist/ bandleader for these and other diverse artists such as Ismael Miranda, Hugo Henríquez, Raul Marrero, Fernando Echavarria y La Familia Andres and Carlos Nuño y La Gran D' Madrid.
Originally from New York, Frank became a major force as an arranger in the charanga swing period of the late '70's. It was during that rich period that he produced and arranged many hits for such innovative bands as Charanga '76, Charanga America and Charanga Casino (among numerous others).
Prior to the late ‘70’s, Frank Bello not only performed and arranged for many top orchestras but was also active as a writer for the seminal salsa publication "LATIN NEW YORK MAGAZINE". His articles and unique interviews were published throughout 1973-74 at the pinnacle of the Salsa music era.
Frank Bello’s musical affiliations and collaborations make up a who’s who’s list in the field of latin music that includes work with such legendary artists as: MACHITO, PETE 'EL CONDE' RODRÍGUEZ, JOSÉ FAJARDO, MONGUITO 'EL ÚNICO', ROBERTO TORRES, ‘EL GRAN’ CACHAO, VICENTICO VALDEZ, CELIA CRUZ, FRANKIE RUIZ (w/TOMMY OLIVENCIA), WILLIE COLÓN, CHEO FELICIANO, ANDY MONTANEZ, RAY DE LA PAZ, VICTOR MANUELLE, REY REYES, SANTIAGO CERON, CARLOS ALFREDO, ISRAEL KANTOR, RAUL MARRERO, CARLOS NUNO, HUGO HENRIQUEZ, FRANCO & PUPI LEGARRETTA. His arranging credits are well-known throughout the industry, having scored an abundance of top ten hits for CHARANGA '76, CHARANGA CASINO, CHARANGA AMERICA, ORQUESTA SUBLIME, CONJUNTO SAOCO, ORQUESTA NOVEDADES, ORQUESTA YAMBÚ and numerous others.
Twice nominated by LATIN N.Y. MAGAZINE as "Arranger of the Year", in 1978 (“Coqueta” - Charanga Sublime) and again in 1979 ( “Ya No Interesa” - Charanga ’76), Mr. Bello arranged and produced his first solo album of charanga music for Top Ten Hits Records titled "TE QUIERO y TE ANHELO" (1980). The album, which was very well received by the public, gained critical acclaim from BILLBOARD magazine and charted four top hit in the Latin market.
Throughout 1979 and 1980, Mr. Bello worked extensively with the renowned Cuban classical composer ENRIQUE UBIETA recording the Maestro’s score for the acclaimed 1980 movie "El Super" (starring Joe Pesci and Rubén Blades).
In 1981 he decided to move to Miami and became musical director for HANSEL & RAUL y La Charanga for over two years resulting in the production and orchestration of three hit albums for the group.
Stationed in Miami, Mr. Bello went on to arrange, produce and work with Conjunto Impacto, Típica Tropical and the legendary Cuban singer ISRAEL KANTOR.
In 1985 he began his extensive travels as musical director with Fania Records’ recording artist ISMAEL MIRANDA.
The following year, Frank was called upon by legendary music manager José Curbelo to direct the MIAMI ALL-STARS, a group comprised of 30 of the best Latin musicians and singers from all parts of Miami. He continued to conduct this special event for the next three years.
In 1987, Frank arranged & produced the breakthrough album for the multi-talented percussionist/vocalist LUIS ENRIQUE (launching Luis’ career as one of the leading exponents of the romantic-salsa movement). The production yielded a chart topping single for Luis Enrique ("No Te Quites La Ropa")
and a “SUPER Q Arranger of the Year” award for Mr. Bello.
It was during that same year that Frank hit another milestone in his career arranging and producing the hit single "A Usted Que Está Casada" for Puerto Rican legend SOPHY.
1987 also marked the beginning of the "Frank Bello Jazz Trio" featuring Eddie "Gua-Gua" Rivera and Hector "Pocho" Neciosup. The trio would go on to become the house-band at the famous Carlyle Hotel in South Beach from 1987 to 1989.
Finally in 1987, Frank arranged & produced his own second album called “NON-STOP SALSA", this time for the Sony music label.
It was around that same bustling period that Frank began his association with renowned singer ROBERTO TORRES (of "Caballo Viejo" fame) resulting in three hit albums in the subsequent 4 years. During this time, Frank would also form his own tightly knit salsa ensemble to back up the singer until 1990.
Between 1991 and 1993, he arranged and produced projects for RAUL ALFONSO, BOBBY MARTÍNEZ, LIZBETH, and CORINNE OVIEDO as well as famed Sábado Gigante singer/comedian JOEL GARCÍA.
And in 1992, Frank collaborated as the musical director for Dominican “sonero / composer” FERNANDO ECHAVARRIA (LA FAMILIA ANDRÉ).
And finally, in an effort to practice his engineering skills and increase control over the production process, Mr. Bello established his own production company and recording / rehearsal facility in 1998 called "CMP STUDIOS" (in Florida). It was at this facility that Frank put the finishing touches (mixing) on the debut album by Latin-Jazz saxophonist/flutist BOBBY RAMÍREZ. There was also extensive engineering & production work done on MARC CHARLES' Christian album as well as several salsa and rock band productions.
In 2002 Frank began a six-year association with Discovery Sun Cruise Line as both a performer and booking agent. At the present time he continues to reside in South Florida working in all aspects of the music business, as well as performing with the various configurations of the versatile "XPRESSIONS" band.
Originally from New York, Frank became a major force as an arranger in the charanga swing period of the late '70's. It was during that rich period that he produced and arranged many hits for such innovative bands as Charanga '76, Charanga America and Charanga Casino (among numerous others).
Prior to the late ‘70’s, Frank Bello not only performed and arranged for many top orchestras but was also active as a writer for the seminal salsa publication "LATIN NEW YORK MAGAZINE". His articles and unique interviews were published throughout 1973-74 at the pinnacle of the Salsa music era.
Frank Bello’s musical affiliations and collaborations make up a who’s who’s list in the field of latin music that includes work with such legendary artists as: MACHITO, PETE 'EL CONDE' RODRÍGUEZ, JOSÉ FAJARDO, MONGUITO 'EL ÚNICO', ROBERTO TORRES, ‘EL GRAN’ CACHAO, VICENTICO VALDEZ, CELIA CRUZ, FRANKIE RUIZ (w/TOMMY OLIVENCIA), WILLIE COLÓN, CHEO FELICIANO, ANDY MONTANEZ, RAY DE LA PAZ, VICTOR MANUELLE, REY REYES, SANTIAGO CERON, CARLOS ALFREDO, ISRAEL KANTOR, RAUL MARRERO, CARLOS NUNO, HUGO HENRIQUEZ, FRANCO & PUPI LEGARRETTA. His arranging credits are well-known throughout the industry, having scored an abundance of top ten hits for CHARANGA '76, CHARANGA CASINO, CHARANGA AMERICA, ORQUESTA SUBLIME, CONJUNTO SAOCO, ORQUESTA NOVEDADES, ORQUESTA YAMBÚ and numerous others.
Twice nominated by LATIN N.Y. MAGAZINE as "Arranger of the Year", in 1978 (“Coqueta” - Charanga Sublime) and again in 1979 ( “Ya No Interesa” - Charanga ’76), Mr. Bello arranged and produced his first solo album of charanga music for Top Ten Hits Records titled "TE QUIERO y TE ANHELO" (1980). The album, which was very well received by the public, gained critical acclaim from BILLBOARD magazine and charted four top hit in the Latin market.
Throughout 1979 and 1980, Mr. Bello worked extensively with the renowned Cuban classical composer ENRIQUE UBIETA recording the Maestro’s score for the acclaimed 1980 movie "El Super" (starring Joe Pesci and Rubén Blades).
In 1981 he decided to move to Miami and became musical director for HANSEL & RAUL y La Charanga for over two years resulting in the production and orchestration of three hit albums for the group.
Stationed in Miami, Mr. Bello went on to arrange, produce and work with Conjunto Impacto, Típica Tropical and the legendary Cuban singer ISRAEL KANTOR.
In 1985 he began his extensive travels as musical director with Fania Records’ recording artist ISMAEL MIRANDA.
The following year, Frank was called upon by legendary music manager José Curbelo to direct the MIAMI ALL-STARS, a group comprised of 30 of the best Latin musicians and singers from all parts of Miami. He continued to conduct this special event for the next three years.
In 1987, Frank arranged & produced the breakthrough album for the multi-talented percussionist/vocalist LUIS ENRIQUE (launching Luis’ career as one of the leading exponents of the romantic-salsa movement). The production yielded a chart topping single for Luis Enrique ("No Te Quites La Ropa")
and a “SUPER Q Arranger of the Year” award for Mr. Bello.
It was during that same year that Frank hit another milestone in his career arranging and producing the hit single "A Usted Que Está Casada" for Puerto Rican legend SOPHY.
1987 also marked the beginning of the "Frank Bello Jazz Trio" featuring Eddie "Gua-Gua" Rivera and Hector "Pocho" Neciosup. The trio would go on to become the house-band at the famous Carlyle Hotel in South Beach from 1987 to 1989.
Finally in 1987, Frank arranged & produced his own second album called “NON-STOP SALSA", this time for the Sony music label.
It was around that same bustling period that Frank began his association with renowned singer ROBERTO TORRES (of "Caballo Viejo" fame) resulting in three hit albums in the subsequent 4 years. During this time, Frank would also form his own tightly knit salsa ensemble to back up the singer until 1990.
Between 1991 and 1993, he arranged and produced projects for RAUL ALFONSO, BOBBY MARTÍNEZ, LIZBETH, and CORINNE OVIEDO as well as famed Sábado Gigante singer/comedian JOEL GARCÍA.
And in 1992, Frank collaborated as the musical director for Dominican “sonero / composer” FERNANDO ECHAVARRIA (LA FAMILIA ANDRÉ).
And finally, in an effort to practice his engineering skills and increase control over the production process, Mr. Bello established his own production company and recording / rehearsal facility in 1998 called "CMP STUDIOS" (in Florida). It was at this facility that Frank put the finishing touches (mixing) on the debut album by Latin-Jazz saxophonist/flutist BOBBY RAMÍREZ. There was also extensive engineering & production work done on MARC CHARLES' Christian album as well as several salsa and rock band productions.
In 2002 Frank began a six-year association with Discovery Sun Cruise Line as both a performer and booking agent. At the present time he continues to reside in South Florida working in all aspects of the music business, as well as performing with the various configurations of the versatile "XPRESSIONS" band.
