Harvey Averne
Averne's gift for identifying and bringing together new and established musical talent, along with the careful management of his artists' public image, initially made CoCo Records a major label nationally, and subsequently an international success.
In addition, he achieved major successes in 1977 with two Grammy nominations for his productions of the Danny Rivera and Eydie Gorme hit "Para Decir Adios" (from the album "Muy Amigos") and The Machito Orchestra with Lalo Rodriguez ("Fireworks").
The list includes such notables as Lissette Alvarez, Wilkins, Mario Bauza and Graciela, Yolandita Monge, Steve Lawrence, Trini Lopez, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, Jose Fajardo, Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano and Orquesta Broadway, among others.
He found steady work and much inspiration during these years, appearing with such notables as Don Rickles, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, James Brown, Jerry Butler, The O'Jays, Richard Pryor, The Main Ingredient, Grover Washington Jr, Al Green, and Frankie Crocker, among others.
In addition to the New York cabaret and club circuit, he performed with his own band "Arvito & His Latin Rhythms" in the Catskill Mountain Resort Area (also known as the Borscht Belt, or the Jewish Alps), a popular vacation spot for New Yorkers since the 1920s.
The aforementioned clubs offered such big-name performers as Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Jackie Mason, Mal Z. Lawrence, Al Martino, Buddy Hackett, Hines, Hines and Dad; as well as the popular Latin bands of Tito Puente, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Joe Cuba, La Playa Sextet and of course Arvito & His Latin Rhythms.
It also included the movie theme "Lullaby from Rosemary's Baby" (Harvey's recording was subsequently sampled by Big Daddy Kane on his track "Rest In Peace").
During his tenure at Fania he either produced or supervised recordings by Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Orquesta Harlow, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Bobby Valentin, Mongo Santamaria, Johnny Pacheco, Roberto Roena, Joe Bataan, Ralfi Pagan, The Latineers and George Guzman, among others.
These were the label's most profitable years, with such international Latin stars as Raphael, Tito Rodriguez, Nelson Ned, Ismael Quintana, Morris Albert ("Feelings"), Chucho Avellanet, Martinha, Mocedades, Astor Piazzola and Jose Trellis all forming part of its huge roster.
Harvey Averne remained active as vice president and general manager of UA Latino until 1972, when he decided to create his own label, CoCo Records.
In addition, he produced and re-mixed Regine's International Hit "Je Survivrai" (I Will Survive) and a disco version of Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" by Chi-Chi Favelas.
In 1993 the pioneer rapper Big Daddy Kane sampled Averne's "Lullaby from Rosemary's Baby" for the track "Rest In Peace" and released it in the Cold Chillin/Warner Bros/ Reprise album "Looks Like a Job For....".
In 1967, American minimalist composer Terry Riley got his hands on the song "You're No Good", a Latin-soul-boogaloo type number that had been previously released by Averne that same year.
Fania Records 2005 Eddie Palmieri "EL PRODIGIOSO, LOS 50 AÑOS DEL MAESTRO" All Music Produced & Mixed By Harvey Averne, Compilation Produced by Richie Viera MP/J&N Records 2005 Various Artist "EXPLOSIVOS" Tito Puente, Charley & Eddie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, Bobby Valentine, Jimmy Sabater, Joey Pastrana, Monguito Santamaria, Alfredito, George Guzman, Chacon, King Nando & Harvey Averne.
Vampi Soul Records 2007 Various Artists "NEW YORK LATIN HUSTLE, THE SOUND OF NEW YORK" Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Willy Colon, Cor- tijo, Joe Cuba, Al Escobar, Machito, Candido, Seguida, Jose Mangual, La Charanga 76, Louie Ramirez, Ismael Quinones & Harvey Averne.
Soul Jazz Records 2007 Various Artists "A SALSA TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES" Tito Puente, La Lupe, Santitos Colon, Larry Harlow, Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz, Joe Bataan, Joey Pastrana, Orquesta Novel, Ralfi Pagan, L.T.G.
Noro Morales, Eddie Palmieri & Cal Jader, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, La Lupe, Harvey Averne, Joe Bataan, Bobby Valentine, Mauricio Smith, George Guzman, Pete Rodriguez, Chollo, Al Escobar & The Latineers.
The 10:00 minute First Single from their 2011 Album "Start & Complete" is a tribute to the Historic Terry Riley 1967 "World's First Re-Mix" & Sample of Harvey Averne's track "You're No Good".
Domino Records 2011 Various Artists "EL BARRIO" BOOGALOO, DISCO, FUNK & SOUL" THE ULTIMATE LATIN MUSIC COLLECTION" (4 CD BOX SET) Fania All Stars, Tito Puente, La Lupe, Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Ventura, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Harlow, Mongo Santamaria, Joe Cuba, Ralfi Pagan, Joe Bataan, Chollo Rivera, Jimmy Sabater, Azuquita, Orquesta Novel, Gilberto Cruz, Louie Ramirez, Fausto Rey, Lou Perez, Cafe, Ralph Robles, Vladimir, Bobby Valentin, Lennie Sesar, T&T Boys, New Swing Sextette, Pete Bonet, Roberto Roena, Johnny Colon, Ray Rodriguez, The Latinaires, Pete Rodriguez, King Nando, Joey Pastrana, George Guzman, Monguito Santamaria & Harvey Averne.
Hit Record "Brooklyn Boogaloo" & "My Shingaling Boy" Produced, Mixed and Directed by Harvey Averne; 2012: Chico Alvarez (El Montunero) & The Palmonte Afro-Cuban Big Band • "Country Roots/Urban Masters".
Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Little Richard, Bill Cosby, Carmen McRae, Shirley Scott, Eddie Cano & Nino Tempo, King Curtis, Arif Mardin, Herbie Mann & Tamico Jones, The Harvey Averne Dozen & others.
