Ilan Chester

Originating from Israel yet raised in Venezuela, Ilan Chester blended an international array of influences throughout his body of work. Drawing inspiration from Tito Rodriguez, the Puerto Rican multi-instrumentalist who helped pioneer New York's Latin music scene, Chester also developed a strong affinity for American R&B and British rock. His sound gradually expanded to embrace classical, jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and Venezuelan elements. A veteran of Venezuelan ensembles such as Sugar, Cocoa & Milk, Gerry Weil & His Band, Bacro, Syma, and Sky White Meditation, he attained striking commercial and critical success upon commencing his solo output with 1978's Night and Daydream/Wheels of Time.

Commencing a decade-long partnership with the Sonographica label through 1983's Canciones de Todos, he delivered widely praised albums including 1984's Amistad, 1985's Ilan Chester (Sólo Faltas Tú), 1987's Al Pie de la Letra, and 1990's Opus #10. His first Sony release, Un Mundo Mejor, surfaced in 1992 and was followed by 1994's Terciopelo.

Releasing the initial installment of his celebrated Cancionero del Amor Venezolano series independently in 1998, Chester issued a second volume in 2000. His 2001 Navideno Heart recording achieved international prominence, after which he released Cancionero del Amor Puertorriqueño the following year. ASI appeared in 2004. The third volume of Cancionero del Amor Venezolano emerged in 2006, with a box set compiling all three volumes arriving in 2008. In 2009 he issued the six-disc compilation Tesoros de la Musica Venezolana, a set of Venezuelan songs with each disc devoted to material and styles from a distinct region, featuring extensive collaborations with virtually every prominent artist in the country, detailed notes, and artist interviews. It sold over half a million units in Venezuela in less than a month. In 2010, Chester covered "Here, There and Everywhere" (Aqui, Alla y en Todas Partes) on Tributo a las Beatles, a various-artists compilation that also included contributions from Nestor Torres, Ricky Martin, and Ana Gabriel, among others.