Yalil Guerra

Yalil Guerra Soto (Havana, Cuba, April 27, 1973) is a Cuban born composer, classical guitarist, producer, arranger, professor and multi-instrumentalist based in the city of Los Angeles, California since 2002.
The son of the famous Cuban vocal duo Rosell y Cary and brother of the singer, actress, dancer, tv host and video director Yamila Guerra.
Biography.
At the age of 16, Guerra won the International Competition & Festival of Classical Guitar in Krakow, Poland, as well as the Special Prize (1990), thus becoming the youngest Cuban ever awarded a prize in an international competition. The following year he made a through different Polish cities. He started his career as a producer, composer and arranger in 1990, and has worked since then with many industry companies and professionals.
Nowadays he writes music for US TV networks such as Univision, Telefutura and Canal 41 Miami; the music of shows such as: FIFA World Cup music theme 2010, Viva el Sueño (2009), the Latin Grammy Awards (2005 through 2009) , Premio lo Nuestro (2006 through 2010), Up front (2005 and 2006), Escándalo TV, Tributo a nuestra música, Premios Juventud, etc. are among his credits. He is producing and composing albums in his recording facility for artist such us Yamila Guerra and Rosell y Cary, in Burbank in California.
On November 15, 2012 Guerra won the Latin Grammy in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition for his work "Seducción" (Elizabeth Rebozo-Live in L.A.) RYCY Productions , , , , , , performed by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, included in the album "Live in L.A., produced by Guerra for RYCY Productions, Inc. Another track from the same album was also nominee in the same category: the "Preludio Nº.1 by Aurelio de la Vega .
In 2010, Guerra was nominated by the Latin Recording Academy in the Best Classical Album category, with his first album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Latin Grammy Awards of 2010#Classical Field
Also this year, Guerra was awarded Runner-up by the Brandon Fradd Fellowship in music composition sponsored by the Cintas Foundation and the Frost Art Museum of Florida International University 2010. Four awarded compositions have been included on his new album entitled "Old Havana" available at cdbaby.com. For more information visit the News section.
In June 2011, his second album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. II was released with music for chamber ensembles and soloists. This recording includes the following titles: "Ab Imo Pectore" (With all my heart), for Piano trio, performed by the B3:Brouwer Trio; Sofía, for classical guitar, performed by Yalil Guerra; "La Rumba" for Clarinet and String Quartet, performed by Ralph Williams (clarinet), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Coleen Coomber (violin 2), Nancy Roth (viola), Giovanna Moraga (cello) and conducted by Francisco Castillo; "Aché" (Good Luck), for flute and cello, performed by Lisette Pérez Esquenazi (flute) and Alejandro Rodríguez (cello); Suite "El Batey" and "Seducción" for piano, performed by Elizabeth Rebozo; "In Bellum Primum" (The first going to war), performed by Salpy Kerkonian (flute) and Bryan Pezzone (piano) and "Guajira Blues", performed by Francisco Castillo (oboe), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Nancy Roth (viola) and Kevan Toerf (cello).
From August to December, Guerra worked in this Univision projects as producer, orchestrator, arranger and sound engineer: The XII "Latin Grammy Awards" music theme; "Mira Quien Baila" (full season -2nd-); Despierta América promos and National Noticiero Univisión.
He also worked as a vocal sound engineer for pop star Cristian Castro (Universal Music Group) in his album "Que Viva el Principe, Vol. 2", also touring with the artist as a vocal sound producer and guitarist, 2011 tour. Guerra has worked with other international artist such us Celia Cruz, Rey Ruiz, Albita Rodriguez, Choco Orta, Issacc Delgado, Manolin "El Medico de la Salsa", Los Adolescentes, Yamila Guerra and many more .
Studies.
His first musical studies were conducted at the National School of Music (E.N.A.) in Havana, Cuba (1985–1991) with classical guitar professor Jorge Luis Zamora. He graduated as a classical guitar performer and professor in 1991.
Guerra studied two years at the "Instituto Superior de Arte" (I.S.A.). At this institution studied classical guitar with professors Jesús Ortega, Joaquin Clerch and Efraín Amador Piñero. In 1993 moved to Spain. Obtained a Master degree in Classical Guitar performance at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, Spain, with professor Gabriel Estarellas. Studied Counterpoint and Fugue with professors Daniel Vega and Mercedes Padilla Valencia.
Since 2008 Guerra have been receiving private composition lessons with composer and professor Aurelio de la Vega, Emeritus professor at the California State University, Northridge, California.In 2016 obtained a Master degree in Film Scoring at Shepherd University, Los Angeles, studying with professor Daniel Walker. Also studied with professors Carlos Campo, Otmaro Ruiz, Abraham Laboriel, and Allen Hinds.
In 2017 he started the Ph.D composition program at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, studying composition and theory with professors: Ian Krouse, David Lefkowitz, Richard Danielpour, Kay Rhie, and Peter Golup. Studied musicology seminars with professors Elisabeth Le Guin, Raymond Knapp, Robert Fink, and Nina Eidsheim. Also studied with professors Dwayne Milburn, Paul de Castro, Gloria Chen, and Steven Loza.
Classical Music.
Orchestral: 
. Symphony No. 1 "La Palma Real," ('The Royal Palm'), dedicated to Cuban National poet and hero José Martí. Composed in 2018
. Symphony No. 2 for Strings "Los Dioses del Olimpo," completed 2019
. El Cucalambé for wind and string quintet, 2012
. A la antigua ('In olden fashion') for string orchestra, 2008
. Old Havana for string orchestra, dedicated to Aurelio de la Vega, 2009
. Terra Ignota ('Unknown Land') for string orchestra, 2009
. El retrato de la paloma ('The Portrait of the Dove'), for string orchestra, 2012
. Clave para cuerdas y percusión ("Clave for strings and percussion'), 2009. Revised 2015.
. Al Partir for string orchestra, 2019. Tribute to Cuban poet Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda
. Negro Bembón, for string orchestra, tribute to Nicolás Guillen, 2019
Concertos:
. Piano Concerto No. 1 in three movements, 2021
. Las fábulas no escritas ('The unwritten Fables'), for flute and guitar orchestra, 2013
Chamber Music:
. String Quartet No.1 "A mil guerras solo," 2009, dedicated to the Havana String Quartet
. Aché for flute and cello, 2009
. De congo y carabalí, wind trio. Flute, clarinet and bassoon, 2009
. Guajira Blues ('Peasant Blues'), oboe, violin, viola and cello, 2009
. In Bellum Primum, for flute and piano, 2009
. La Rumba, for clarinet and string quartet, 2009 
. Ab Imo Pectore, piano trio, 2010
. The Freedom Eagle, for two guitars, 2013. Dedicated to Duo Bonafide
. String Quartet No. 2, dedicated to La Catrina String Quartet, 2014
. Las musas de San Alejandro ('The San Alejandro Muses'), wind quintet, 2016
. String Quartet No. 3, 2016, commissioned by Pacific Serenades and Ursula Krummel. Premiered at the Hear Now Music Festival, Los Angeles, 2016
. Chocolate, for two bassoons, 2016
. Pura Vida, double reed trio, 2017
. Lament, for guitar and violoncello, 2020
Solo repertoire:
Guitar: 
. Sofía, 2007
. Amazona Express, 2010
. Nostalgia del Guajiro, 2013
. Desvelado ('Sleepless'), 2013
. Suite Guitarra Latinoamericana: 1. Tango de amor, 2. Adiós Habana, 3. Vals Caraqueño, 4.Samba do Río, 5.Fiesta Mariachi, 2013
Piano: 
. Suite El Batey: 1. El Tostao, 2. El dulcero, 3. El Wititio dormido, 4. El saltarín, 5. La criollista, 6. El Babalao, 2009
. Seducción, 2009
. Tres piezas cubanas: 1. Echale Salsita, 2. Rosa Frívola, 3. Zapateado, 2010
. Homenaje a Aurelio De la Vega, 2012
. Toccata, 2013
. Suite Americana: 1. El bandoneón olvidado, 2. Danzón de Guerra, 3. Vals de la Lune, 4. Eu Preciso ir a Bahia, 2013
. Sonata No. 1, 2013
Violin:
. La magia de tus ojos, for violin solo, 2017. Viola version available
Harp:
. Son para Ana, 2009
Vocal works:
. ¿Donde está mi negro bembón? for mixed choir, 2009. Music and lyrics by Yalil Guerra. Dedicated to Alina Orraca and Schola Cantorum Coralina
. Guajira natural, for soprano and guitar, 2009
. Como una flor ('Like a Flower') for mixed choir, 2012. Dedicated to Alina Orraca and Schola Cantorum Coralina
. Amor, for soprano and piano. Music and lyrics by Yalil Guerra, 2010-2012
. Breve viaje nocturno, for soprano, tenor and piano, 2015. Lyrics by Gastón Vaquero and music by Yalil Guerra
. Son de Negros en Cuba, for soprano and piano. Lyrics by Federico García Lorca and music by Yalil Guerra, 2010-2018
. Versos Martianos, for soprano, violoncello and piano, 2018. Lyrics by José Martí.
Film and TV Music.
. Campo Abierto, Canal Satélite Digital, Spain 1998
. Luna Verde, Canal 41, Miami, 2001
. Univision Networks: Up front, 2005 and 2006;Latin Grammy Award, 2006; Fox Pan American Sports theme, 2007; Premio lo Nuestro, 2007; Nuestra Belleza Latina, 2007; Premios Juventud, 2007; Premio lo Nuestro 20th Anniversary, 2008; Sábado Gigante, 2008; Viva el Sueño, 2009; Escándalo TV theme, Telefutura; Latin Grammy 2009; Premio lo Nuestro and World Soccer Cp, 2010; Mira Quién Baila (second season), 2011; Latin Grammy Awards, Univision Networks, 2001; Noticiero Univisión, 2011
. CBS Network: Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Episode: The Ballad of Nick and Nat. Goza mi guaguancó (original composition), Mi salsa (original composition), 2016.
. The CW Network: Jane the Virgin: Chapter 37: Dulces Besos (original composition), El Choclo (arranger), 2016.
. PBS Network: Weekend in Havana, soundtrack, 2017 (RYCY Productions) Guerra Mambo, Baila Rumbera; La Catedral, Reflexiones, Castillo del Morro, Lamento del Esclavo, Canto al Benny, Del Prado a Palacio, Nostalgia del pasado, Café Oriental, Una idea; Habana Barroca, El Capitolio, Hemingway y el Mar, Tributo a Nachito, Hemingway, Cojímar te llora, El Viejo pescador, Can cha chá pá gozar, Clave y guaguancó, Solo un milagro amor.
Popular Music.
Songs: 
Published:
- Yamila, album title: "Dame una esperanza," 2002 (RYCY Productions), Ay papá (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra),El refrán (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Morena (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Ilusiones de amor, Dame una esperanza, Muchas gracias, Conga (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Para amar, Mi salsa (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Mamá. 
- Yamila, album title: "Amando en Cumbia," 2005 (RYCY Productions), Oye lo que te digo, Párate y no más (Yamila Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Eres como un vicio, Ay papá (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Que es lo que pasa amor, O soy yo o es ella, Convénceme (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), El sendero (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra).
- Yamila, album title: "No alcanza palabras para ti," 2009 (RYCY Productions), No alcanza palabras para ti, Guajira, Dame un besito, Nocivo, El alacrán.
- Yamila, album title: "Orgullo Latino," 2013 (RYCY Productions), Orgullo Cubano, Estoy enamorada de ti.
- Yamila, album title: "Soy una mujer," 2015 (RYCY Productions), Candela, Si me quieres, quiéreme entera. (Lyrics by Dulce María Loynaz and music Yalil Guerra), Soy una mujer, Que te duela. (Esther 'Mirayda' Levi and Yalil Guerra), Fiesta, Goza mi guaguancó
- Yamila, album title: "Havana Nights," 2020 (RYCY Productions), Cha Cha Blues, 1, 2, 3 Mambo, Estampas de mi barrio, (Eugenio Guerra and Yalil Guerra), Guarapo
Discography.
. Dame una esperanza. Yamila, (RYCY Productions), 2002 
. Amando en Cumbia. Yamila, (RYCY Productions), 2005 
. Latin Lover. Mirayda, 2006 
. No alcanzan palabras para ti. Yamila Guerra. (RYCY Productions), 2009 
. Mio. Joef Fargier, 2009 
. One Culture, Two Visions. Cuban Piano Music of the XIX and XXI Century. Elizabeth Rebozo, (RYCY Productions), 2009 
. Old Havana. Chamber Music, Vol. 1. (RYCY Productions), 2010 
. La Rumba (single) (RYCY Productions), 2010 
. Old Havana. Chamber Music, Vol. II. (RYCY Productions), 2011 
. The Beautiful Cuban Woman. B3 Brouwer Trio, (RYCY Productions), 2011 
. Veinte Años. Yamila and Yalil Guerra orchestra (Single), (RYCY Productions), 2012
. Live in L.A. Elizabeth Rebozo, (RYCY Productions), 2012 
. Terra Ignota, Ensamble Solistas de la Habana, Iván Valiente, conductor, (single), (RYCY Productions), 2013 
. Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Album. Various Artists, (RYCY Productions), 2013 
. Orgullo Latino. Yamila and Yalil Guerra Orchestra. (RYCY Productions), 2013 
. Contradicciones. Mirayda Levi and Yalil Guerra Orchestra, (RYCY Productions), 2013
. Rosa Frivola. Elizabeth Rebozo, (RYCY Productions), 2013 
. Agustin Barrios Mangoré: Vals Op. 8 No. 4 (single), (RYCY Productions), 2014 
. Fernando Sor: Introduction, Theme and Variations on a theme by Mozart, Op. 9, (single), (RYCY Productions), 2014 
. América Latina: A Musical Canvas. La Catrina Quartet. (RYCY Productions), 2014 
. Estrenos en Concierto. Various Artists, (RYCY Productions), 2104 
. Yalil Guerra: Works for String Orchestra. Ensamble Solistas de la Habana, conductor Iván Valiente, (RYCY Productions), 2015 
. Soy una mujer. Yamila and Yalil Guerra Orchestra, (RYCY Productions), 2015 
. Amor con amor se paga, Julio César Bouza (single), (RYCY Productions), 2015 
. Guitar Encores: Tango de Amor and Sofía. Gabriel Estarellas, 2015 
. Clave: Chamber Music, Vol. VI. (RYCY Productions), 2016 
. Why Don't You Want Me. Hollace Bari Panzer, (single),(RYCY Productions), 2016
. Weekend in Havana (original soundtrack), (RYCY Productions), 2017
. Porqué no me quieres, Julio César Bouza (single), (RYCY Productions), 2017
. Polychromatic. Willanny Darias, (RYCY Productions), 2017 
. Alma con Brio. La Catrina Quartet, (RYCY Productions), 2018 
. Cuba: The Legacy. Yalil Guerra, National Symphony of Cuba, conductor Enrique Pérez Mesa, (RYCY Productions), 2019 
. Afrodita (single), (RYCY Productions), 2020 
. Renacimiento (RYCY Productions), 2020 
. Havana Nights, Yamila and Yalil Guerra Orchestra (RYCY Productions), 2020 
Articles.
. Ídolos de Barro. Diario las Américas, Oct. 12, 2020, Contacto Magazine, Academia.edu, Cubaarte (Cuba), Oct. 14, 2020 
. La sinfonía de los egos. Diario las Americas, Oct. 17, 2020, Contacto Magazine, Academia.edu 
. Beethoven y la síncopa. Diaro las Americas, Oct. 26, 2020, Academia.edu 
. Stravinsky: Hidden Rhythmic Patterns and Codes in Stravinsky's Orchestral Music, Academia.edu 
. Stravinsky y el código morse. Diario las Americas, Nov. 2, 2020 
. Carta para un amigo. Diario las Americas, Nov. 8, 2020
, Academia.edu 
. Las penas que a mí me matan. Diario las Americas, Nov. 16, 2020
. La salsa no ha muerto. Diario las Americas, Nov. 23, 2020, Academia.edu 
. Aurelio de la Vega: Suite para un coloso de Cuba y del mundo. CMBF (Cuba), Dec. 1, 2020, Diario las Americas, Dec. 4, 2020, Contacto Magazine, Academia.edu 
. El reguetón no es culpable. Diario las Americas, Dec. 7, 2020, Academia.edu 
. Aurelio de la Vega: Suite of a colossus of Cuba and the world. Academia.edu 
External links.
<http://www.contactomagazine.com/articulos/yalilguerrapodcast0507.htm>
<http://www.contactomagazine.com/articulos/yamilaguerra1109.htm>