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Joshua “J Traxx” Mateo

Joshua Mateo, better known to those in the music industry as “J Traxx”, has been an integral member of the world famous bachata group Aventura since 2004. As a pianist and musical producer/arranger, he has risen to the forefront of musical production, sound fusion, and musicianship by using his love of music to create a style that is both innovative and refreshing. Born in Harlem, raised in Washington Heights, New York on January 5th, Joshua would become involved in music at the early age of 6. With a Dominican family of musicians, Joshua would soon fall in love with the rhythm of his native music; Merengue. He would learn to play “la guira”, a vital instrument in merengue, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Once involved in music he felt compelled to learn more and would go on to become a true percussionist, learning to play the drums, conga, timbales, as well as traditional African drums such as the Djembes and the Talking Drum. With as good an ear for harmony and melody as he had for deciphering rythms, he would go on to learn to play the alto saxophone. With a new found love for all genres of music Joshua would soon earn a music scholarship to New York’s Harbor Conservatory of Performing Arts where his life long journey to create music would begin. As a member of the school District Six Jazz Band, he would learn about other styles of music, phrases, and sound.

The core group of young talented musicians from the District Six Jazz Band then went on to form the group Clave Azul. Joshua would serve as director of the band, timbalero, guirero, and leader. Clave Azul's repetoir included salsa, latin jazz, jazz, funk, merengue, bachata, ballads, and at times a little of each. Throughout the next six years they would go on to perform for the lights of Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the Dominican Consul, the late Celia Cruz, and even accompanied world renowned singers, Jose Alberto "el Canario" and Tito Nieves. The experience would serve as his musical foundation for the future.

Having all the necessary tools to perform well in many different genres of popular music as well as a firm understanding of space and rhythm, Joshua would begin to fuse the different sounds and rhythms he had already come to love, to make a truly unique sound. However, with a background in Jazz, Merengue, Salsa, Hip- Hop and Afro-Caribbean music, he would undertake learning to play the piano in order to be able to produce the eclectic sound combinations he could hear only in his mind. Just as he had done with the other instruments he would learn to play over time, Joshua would conquer the piano and go on to become the pianist of the international music group; Aventura. And what an adventure it would be………

J Traxx is no longer just a great pianist/producer, but he is also a signed member of the Max Musick family, the founder, and CEO of his very own production company, Only Us Music Inc. Established in July of 2007, Only Us Music Inc and J Traxx has collaborated with artists such as Don Omar,Wisin Y Yandel ,Oro Solido, Victor Roque, Mala Fe, Dobble Filo,Cuban Linx, De La Ghetto, Max Agende, Soprano “El Terror del Llano”, Zion, Sergio Veneno, Scram Jones, Fedgito and many more. He has also worked with other producers mainly, Aventura’s own, Len Melody.

A genuine love for music, a humble personality, and the respect for other musicians are the qualities that have made J Traxx a great musician, better producer, but even better person. His rise to the top of the music industry has been a blessing and a dream come true. Fueled by a passion to create great music, his star will continue to rise.

By: C. Starr ®

Only Us Music Inc.

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EL SOPRANO EL TERROR DEL LLANO