Fernando Rojas (born Carlos Fernando Rojas on September 4, 1968) is a Colombian-American producer, composer, writer, and pianist. Following international recognition of his song Melody in the Key of Love, in 2003 he represented the United States with his song In The Night I'll Be Dreaming of You in the 44th annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile.[1] Rojas founded record company Flamingo Digital Records, which produces films, music and different projects.[2]
Fernando Rojas | |
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 Rojas in 2012 | |
| Born | Fernando de Rojas September 4, 1968 |
| Other names | Fernando de Rojas |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | flamingodigitalrecords |
Career
editFilm career
editRojas worked with the production team, including producer Paul Mezey and director Joshua Marston, for the presentation of the 2004 drama film Maria Full of Grace at the Cartagena Film Festival.[3] The film was successful, winning the Colombian Cinema Award for best actress (Catalina Moreno) and the Special Jury Prize for directing (Joshua Marston).[4] The film was also nominated for an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Catalina Moreno).[5]
Prince of Paupers
Rojas spearheaded production for the independent film "Prince of Paupers",[6] which was co-produced by Audit Trail. Based on the memoirs of notable newscaster Guillermo Descalizis, the film chronicled Descalizis's life and his rise to prominence as the leading political commentator for the Spanish international networks Telemundo and Univision, his fall from fame and subsequent homelessness, and his gradual reascension to prominence. Some of the proceeds were to be donated to the memorial fund of Dick York, in celebration of the iconic American actor's philanthropy work.[6]
Music career
editFlamingo Digital Records
In 1997, Rojas began developing his own record label, Flamingo Digital Records, and produced his extended play and singles under the new record company.[7] The first single was Rojas' own song, Melody In The Key of Love,[8][9] which received television airtime and promotion on MTV. Rojas and his record label company also collaborated and composed music for Marla Maples.[10][11]
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
In 2003, Rojas was selected to compete in the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, representing the United States of America. For the festival, he composed and produced an original song, entitled "In The Night I'll Be Dreaming of You", The song was performed by a full orchestra and soprano Gabrielle Sterbenz as featured vocalist.[12] It was nominated for the Gaviota de Oro award. In addition to an all-English version, a bilingual English-Spanish version was also performed.[13] Rojas was present and served as the pianist at the event, overseeing production and orchestration.
Discography
editEP's
- Melody in the Key of Love (2014)
Singles
- Storybook Romance[14] (2012)
- El Camino De La Vida (2013)
- Entre Dos Aguas (2014)
Public and political involvement
editRojas has voiced his support for Donald Trump, and aided his 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.[15] Upon writing to British politician Nigel Farage, Farage was invited to a Trump event, where showed support for the latter.[citation needed] Rojas' record label was also instrumental in producing a commercial in support of the Trump 2016 campaign (featuring his song), which focused on Trump's work in support of women and families.[16] In a 2020 interview for Soul Central Magazine, Rojas said: “Trump has done much for Latinos in the US. Employment for them, like for other minorities, went up drastically. With these jobs came more pride and prosperity ... His diligence in protecting our borders, improving our economy and making education better in impoverished areas have all been a strong benefit to the Latino community in the US.”[17]
Rojas is the Director of the official Tribune of WWII Veteran and influential businessman John G. Ibe, recognized by the White House. Ibe, who survived the war, became a leading entrepreneur in the aerospace industry and real estate, and built monuments for fallen soldiers.[17][18][19][20]
Personal life
editRojas was born in Bogota, Colombia in 1968, to a musical family with two sisters. His family emigrated to New York City in 1981, and he has resided in the city since then. Rojas is a Christian.
References
edit- ^ "Clasifican España y Venezuela, con intérpretes de reality show". Emol (in Spanish). February 23, 2003. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Fernando Rojas Rothschild: "Creo en La Visión Futurista del Presidente Trump"". Revista Momentos (in Spanish). January 25, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Maria Full of Grace (2004)". IMDb. August 6, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Maria Full of Grace". IMDb.
- ^ "'Maria' full of Oscar anticipation". today.com. January 26, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "New Movie in honor of Dick York of Bewitched". Movies Online California. September 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
- ^ "Flamingo Digital Records - home". flamingodigitalrecords.com.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Melody In The Key Of Love. YouTube.
- ^ "Commercial for Fernando's album". July 27, 2009.
- ^ "Through The Barrier - A Dedication To Marla Maples". Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Monetos - 25th Edition". Issuu. January 12, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "In the Night I'll be Dreaming of You". YouTube.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Gabrielle (EEUU), Entre Mis Sueños, Festival de Viña 2003 - Competencia Internacional. YouTube.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: City of Angels. YouTube.
- ^ "Soul Central Magazine Apr-May 2020". yumpu.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Youtube video. YouTube.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Soul Central Magazine - Apr/May 2020 Edition". YUMPU (105 ed.). p. 30. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "A Tribute to John G. Ibe". Vimeo. October 13, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "In Memory of John Ibe". USS Gambier Bay (CVE 73) and Composite Squadron VC10. December 18, 1921. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "John G. Ibe, USN". Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation. March 24, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2024.