El Matador

Luis F. Columna was born in the village of Bisono, Dominican Republic. He began his music theory, ear training and trumpet studies in Penuelas, Puerto Rico at the age of 14. A year later, he went to Ponce, Puerto Rico where he began advanced trumpet studies at the Instituto de Musica Juan Morell Campos with the legendary Eddie Feijo, who at the time was considered one of Puerto Rico most prominent musicians.

In 1982, his family moved to New York where he then, attended the Johnny Colon School of Music, and where he met fellow pianist Martin Arroyo. Their friendship would become of the most enduring in the music industry. Luis joined his Band in October of 1982 and here is where he began his career as an arranger, having written all of the arrangements for Martin Arryo’s Group, “El Conjunto Unidad”, and later in 1983, for another of Martin’s groups, “Monte Adentro”.

In 1985, two years after Luis joined Martin’s bands as a trumpet player and arranger, he was commissioned to start and produce a new band called “Conjunto Sentimiento, under the executive production and direction of Nelson Pereyra, now a prominent Latino Filmmaker. “Hay que Ayudar Con Sentimiento” is to become Luis’ first project as a record producer.

In November of 1986, Luis joined the US ARMY as a trumpet player and in 1987, attended the US Army Element School of music, where he studied ear training, theory, harmony, counterpoint and private trumpet instruction.

From there he was assigned in August of the same year to his first duty station at Fort Drum, in Watertown New York. He was stationed in Fort Drum from August of 1987 to September of 1990. In September of the same year, he became an alumni of Air Assault School and in October, an alumni of Airborne School.

He was assigned as an Airborne volunteer to Fort Bragg, NC on November 10, 1990 and joined the 82 Airborne Division Band, where he served as a Trumpet player, Pianist Conductor and Staff Arranger. He stayed in Fort Bragg until his honorable discharge in August 20, 1993.

He attented Long Island University in the fall of 1993 and studied briefly with Jazz Saxophonist and Professor Peter Yellin. In 1984, He went to Lehman College to study Music Composition with Oscar winning and distinguished professor John Corigliano. He also studied advanced orchestration privately with Composers, David Del Tredeci (City College, The Julliard School), Justin Dellojoio (NYU), and Jonh David Earnest (Hollywood). Luis also studied advanced conducting techniques with Georges Costinescu, who was also a distinguished music professor at Lehman College.

Currently, Luis F. Columna is the CEO/Founder of Crea Mas Fama Worldwide, Inc, a New York based entertainment concern, which deals with event and concert production. Within his current projects, Luis ambitious is determined to turn and Matador into a leading international brand.

Luis F. Columna has created a name among the most recognized Latino Artists of all time. His current resume as a Producer, Orchestrator, Arranger, Orchestra Conductor and Performing Musician includes the following international and national artists:

Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Grupo Niche, Johnny Ventura, Frankie Ruiz, Jerry Rivera, La India, Jose Alberto El Canario, Cuco Valoy, Victor Manuelle, Tito Nieves, Brenda K Star, Obie Bermudez, Milly Quezada, Ruby Perez, Sergio Vargas, Ramon Orlando Valoy, Raulin Rosendo, Sophy, Domingo Quinones, Tito Gomez, Dominc, Ravel, Los Reyes del caribe, Orquesta Fiesta, Andres Cepeda, Bonny Cepeda, Carolina La O, Bianca Polonia, Clase 90, Los Hermanos Lebron, Lalo Rodriguez, DLG, Conjunto Unidad, Grupo Sentimiento, Julio Salgado, Carlos David, Felix D’ Oleo, Miles Pena, Pedro Jesus, Paquito Guzman, Felle Vega, Rafaelito Mirabal, Timbalaye, Iris & Franklin, Victor Irizarry, Rafael Labasta, Jazz Furia, Son Santiaguero, Eduardo Gabanna, Darlyn y los Herederos, Mark, Que Viva el Merengue, Pasaporte Rojo, Asdrubar, Sexappeal, Michel, Yo Soy El Merengue, Luisito, Carrion, Eddy Carr, Oro Solido, Edwin Rivera, Orquesta Libertad, Mariano Civico, Aljadaqui, Gabbano, Julissa, Fulanito, Manikkomio, Mambo Nuevo, Yo Soy El Merengue, Joaquin y Herradura, Bobby Rodriguez y La Compania,O'Brien Luna.