Oskar Cartaya, during the course of a full career playing bass, composing, arranging and acting as musical director for an amazing array of artists, Oskar has soaked up the influences of his homes in Puerto Rico, New York and Los Angeles to create his very unique style.

A long prolific career working with the likes of Spyro Grya, Herb Albert, Jennifer Lopez, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Tito Puente, Robbie Robertson, Willie Colon, Dave Valentin and more has given a solid reputation in the music industry.
Some of Oskar’s credits include the production of “Passion Dance” by Herb Alpert (Almo Records) and “Plenarriquena” for Jennifer Lopez, a live concert on DVD (Sony Music). Touring with a plethora of artists including Steve Winwood, Spyro Gyra and the late Tito Puente.

Add in to the mix a stint in the house band for TV’s “ShowTime at The Apollo”, the ESPY’s, Latin Grammy, Guys Choice Awards composing and arranging for projects such as Jodie Foster’s movie Contact, producing the soundtrack for the movie “Wedding Bell Blues” and playing on Grammy-Winning albums for Arturo Sandoval, Willie Colon, and Spyro Gyra.

Other recent projects include playing on albums with Tito Nieves, Pete Escovedo, Andrae Crouch, Juan Gabriel, Sheila E and the fun collaboration between Puerto Rican compadres – Rumbantela, and playing live behind such varied artists as Justin Timberlake, Wayne Brady, Playing for Change, Gilberto Santa Rosa, All 4 One, Wynona Judd, Jonathan Butler, just to name a few.

When playing his own music live he is joined by his band, The Ricannection. Now on his sophomore album the Latin Grammy Nominated, “Bajo Mundo” he describes it as, “an imaginary trip around the world with my bass and my backpack. My goal is to both engage and challenge the listener along this global journey. The album title has dual meanings: In addition to the literal translation of “bass world,” the term el bajo mundo refers to the underground or underworld and the mysterious, unsavory characters who populate it”.