Israel Tanenbaum

Pianist, producer, composer and arranger, Israel Tanenbaum has produced over 700 songs and performed in more than 100 recordings of Salsa, Latin Jazz, Folklore and Latin/Tropical Pop. 

Some of Israel’s best-known work includes salsa titles like “Oiga Mire Vea” and “Te amo, te extraño” (Orquesta Guayacán), and Latin Jazz compositions “Hacha y Machete” (Alfredo De La Fe) and “Tanenbaum a la Lucca” (Papo Lucca). His work has earned one Platinum and two Gold records.

Israel began his professional life as a teenager, playing clubs in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At 16 he went to New York and a friend invited him to see Machito & the Afro-Cubans at the Roseland Ballroom. After being introduced, Machito invited Israel to sit on stage and witness the awesome big band up close. The experience ignited Israel’s passion for composition. 

He later joined the US Army Band and traveled across 35 states. In Hawaii, he formed his first salsa band and traveled throughout the APAC countries. Israel then returned to Puerto Rico where he joined Batacumbele and played in the bands of several salsa classics. He began traveling in Latin America and was hired to produce and arrange for Colombian salsa band Guayacan, a relationship that continued for nearly 10 years and was instrumental in their success on the international stage. While in Colombia he arranged and produced for many other artists and bands like Checo Acosta, Ivan & Lucia, Galy Galiano, Grupo Clase and special projects with Jairo Varela, director of the renowned Grupo Niche.

Israel has worked with a variety of notable Latin artists including singers Pete “Conde” Rodriguez and Marvin Santiago; bassist John Benitez; percussionists Richie Flores, Giovanny Hidalgo and Roberto Roena (Apollo Sound). He also arranged for Latin icons like Sonora Ponceña and Fania All Stars.

Israel has composed for jingles, TV, documentary and theater. His compositions have been featured in motion pictures from National Lampoon, Sunset Pictures, and Matonti Films.

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