As an Artist, Southern California native Luis Oliart's talent as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter has been described as "simply magical… totally captivating… compelling." His sound blends the influences of funk, rock, blues, reggae, and Latin, producing music that is fresh and full of energy. Oliart has tagged this new genre "Alternative Soul", and he has brought this unique sound to such well-known venues as BB King's, CBGB, Hard Rock Cafe, House of Blues, Key Club, Knitting Factory, The Bitter End, Troubadour, and even Carnegie Hall. In addition to performing all throughout the US, Luis has performed in Vancouver, Toronto, Thailand, Spain, France, Germany, and Denmark.
Although Oliart is identified with his bass, electric, acoustic, and Dobro guitar playing, his talent extends to strong vocal abilities, original lyrics, and composition. In a review from Music Connection Magazine, Bernard Baur raves, "Oliart weaves extraordinary rhythms and guitar percussion that are simply magical," and he was listed among the magazine's "Top 100 Artists" in 2005 and 2006.
As a Composer/Songwriter/Producer, Luis collaborates with talented film and television composer John Carta (Hannah Montana, The Bachelor).
Recent projects include: Luis' debut as an actor/musician for a national Kaiser Permanente TV commercial (to be aired in Feb. 2009), the inclusion of his original song, "La Petite Morte", in a trailer for the 2008 film Elegy (starring Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz), and the appearance of his compositions "Tell Me" and "Jah-Jah" on the 2008 Showtime series Live Nude Comedy. Oliart also performed at artist/producer Timbaland's 2008 Grammy party.
In addition, Luis made it to the "Top 50" in NBC's reality show Star Tomorrow, wrote the featured commercial song for a National Corona Beer 2000-2001 Radio campaign, had a featured blues single on KPFK's Arts in Review radio show, performed on L.A. TV's "Inside the Industry: The Music" (which covered breakthrough artists), and appeared on an E! (Entertainment Television) reality show.
As a Member of the Community, Luis Oliart expresses his love and belief in the healing power of music by performing bedside at hospitals for chronic and terminally-ill children by way of The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.
Luis is also an active volunteer at the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, and he serves on its Board of Representatives as well.
As a Teacher, Oliart runs a private guitar-teaching practice for students ranging from three to sixty years old, and he has worked with the LA Unified School District to teach schoolteachers music-theory skills to use in their classrooms.
Luis also holds a Core team position for The Full Monty Division of Men's Division International, which mentors men in the community on how to leave a legacy through the betterment of humanity.
As an Entrepreneur, Oliart is a business partner with longtime friend Ty Fleming in TMK Entertainment, a company that provides music entertainment for special events and occasions.
While Oliart's first solo CD, Acoustics, offered a mix of original blues and rock songs, his second CD, produced by John Carta and simply titled Luis Oliart, features Spanish, Gospel and World Music influences as well. Several of these songs can be heard on Myspace, and they are all available for download on the CDBaby website, and ITunes.
For more info, check out Luis' official website at www.luisoliart.com.
Quotes:
"If Luis doesn't advance to the next round, I'm gonna take him myself and start our own project on the side!"
– Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) on NBC's Star Tomorrow
".simply magical. totally captivating. compelling."
-- Bernard Baur, The Music Connection
"It's beautiful to hear such great stirring spirit… there is a fire in it… I love what you are doing."
-- Joey Reynolds, 710 WOR Radio
