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Victor Calderone

Born1967-03-20
BirthplaceNew York
CountryUnited States
GenderMale
13,245Last.fm listeners

Biography

Victor Calderone (born in Brooklyn, New York) , is a house music producers and a deejay in the international nightlife scene.

Introduced into New York City's nightlife by his older brother, Victor signed his first industry contract with Sire Records in 1991.

Read full biography ↓

His remixing resumé is extensive, including hits for Beyoncé, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Sarah Brightman, among many others. He also released several songs on his own and he has hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart twice. In 1997, he spent a week at the top spot with "Give It Up".

Victor returned to #1 twice in 2001 on both April 28 then again on May 5, with "Are You Satisfied?" featuring vocals by Deborah Cooper .

He has also collaborated with other house music producers, one of the most notable including Peter Rauhofer, the first Grammy Award winner in the Dance Music category. Known as "The Collaboration" they released a popular multi CD set and several hit single tracks.

Contents

1 Discography

1.1 Select Remixes

2 See also

3 External links

Discography;

Select Remixes;

American Pie - Madonna

Beautiful Stranger - Madonna

Don't Tell Me - Madonna

Frozen - Madonna

Hollywood - Madonna

Naughty Girl - Beyoncé

Precious - Depeche Mode

Push It - Garbage

Ray of Light - Madonna

Strict Machine - Goldfrapp

Survivor - Destiny's Child

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

- Henry David Thoreau

The multi-talented master of musical manipulation has helped redefine the role of the American DJ in recent years, and, in the process, has amassed an impressive array of artistic accomplishments. Equally adept both in the studio and in front of live audiences, Victor is a veritable virtuoso who has inspired, enthralled and entertained legions of sonic savvy devotees around the world. His expertise and imagination transcend conventional expectations allowing him to effortlessly bridge the gap between multiple genres of music and generations of listeners.

Introduced to New York nightlife at the impressionable age of 15 by his older brother Cesar, Victor quickly developed an intense passion for dance music that would form the foundation for the Brooklyn native’s remarkable career. His first taste of success came less than a decade later when Sire Records’ Seymour Stein signed Program Two, Victor’s techno production partnership, to a record deal in 1991. The relationship fizzled after just one album, though, prompting Victor to reevaluate his musical future.

After a self-imposed hiatus during which Victor explored non-musical business ventures, he found his way back to the beat in 1996 when Athena, the woman who would eventually become his wife, encouraged him to return to the studio to create his first solo record, “Give It Up.” This signature hard-house anthem and its explosive follow-up, “Beat Me Harder,” both topped the Billboard dance charts, unleashing the meteoric Calderone phenomenon. Further inspired by New York’s then-thriving club scene, Victor landed gigs spinning at high-profile parties on Fire Island and at legendary NYC nightclubs Limelight and Life, eventually leading to career-defining residencies at both Roxy in New York and Liquid in Miami. Then, just when he thought things couldn’t get any better, Madonna called in 1998 and asked, “So, do you want to remix my first single? Intrigued by Victor’s innovative musical vision and sophisticated style, Madonna bestowed upon him the ultimate compliment – the opportunity to remix, “Frozen,” the lead single from her acclaimed “Ray of Light” album. “She, as an artist, understands better than anybody the need to just let people do their thing, and that’s the way she’s worked with me,” Victor proudly explains. “She just sends me the vocal and she doesn’t give me any guidelines. She just tells me to do my thing.” Victor has since remixed nine other records for Madonna and has established an unprecedented professional and personal rapport with the Grammy-award winning artist.

“Victor Calderone is immensely talented and quite amazing. He never fails to come up with fresh ideas. I love his work and I love working with him.”

- Madonna

The success Victor achieved through his work with Madonna ultimately led to remix projects for some of the world’s top recording artists, including Sting, Gloria Estefan, Bette Midler, Ricky Martin, Elton John, Destiny’s Child, Cyndi Lauper, k.d.†lang, Information Society. Many of these records reached the top of Billboard’s dance charts courtesy of Victor’s unique remixing talents.

Standing out among the many highlights of his extraordinary career is Victor’s experience working with Sting. Acting on Madonna’s recommendation that he ask Victor to remix “Desert Rose,” the second single from his 1999 “Brand New Day” album, the British rocker not only called Victor to remix the record (something he had never done before with his music), but even went into the studio with him to re-record the vocals to match the remixed song’s new dance-oriented rhythm. The song spent an impressive 80 weeks on the Billboard dance charts including nine consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

“Victor Calderone is highly energetic and his musical contribution helped introduce ‘Desert Rose’ to an entirely new audience. I look forward to working with him again.”

- Sting

Few DJs or producers have achieved the level of success that Victor has so diligently earned, and membership in this elite club definitely has its privileges. Spared from the stress of pounding the pavement in search of work and the proverbial first big break, Victor now enjoys the luxury of carefully choosing each new project from a multitude of exciting offers. This rare creative freedom has also encouraged him to create more of his own original material. Following the success of 1999’s “Do It Properly,” a joint venture with Grammy-winning remixer Peter Rauhofer, featuring C&C Music Factory vocalist Deborah Cooper, Victor once again enlisted Cooper’s dynamic talents in 2001 to record the #1 Billboard mega-hit “Are You Satisfied,” a record he both co-wrote and produced.

While it is nearly impossible to capture the essence of a live performance on a 74-minute CD, compilations do allow DJs to portray the music of the moment in a practical format that can reach even the most remote listeners. As part of a multi-record deal with Tommy Boy Music, Victor released his first beatmix CD, “E=VC2,” in 1999. Volume 2 followed in 2001 with sales and popularity of both compilations far exceeding all expectations. A third installment is forthcoming that promises to be darker and more progressive than its predecessors.

Victor’s studio work may have jump-started his career, but it’s his live performances that truly showcase his boundless energy and mastery of the turntables. “DJing is a major release for me; it’s something I need in my life,” he insists. “It goes hand-in-hand with the production work and the studio work. If you’re going to be producing dance music, you’ve got to be out there playing it and be in the clubs, so it’s very important to me.”

Victor also understands and appreciates the importance of continually evolving as an artist. While he still enjoys remixing and playing select mainstream records, audiences will notice a distinct difference during his future live sets. Relying less on the diva house vocal anthems that dominated many of his past performances, Victor has reinvented his musical style and will now treat listeners to an edgier and more progressive sound. He will also focus on producing more original underground tracks to compliment his latest transformation.

Shortly after leaving his three-and-a-half year residency at Roxy in May of 2001 to explore other creative avenues, Victor staged his most ambitious spectacular to date. Dubbed “Caligula: A Roman Orgy” and presented during Gay Pride Weekend in New York City, this massive dance party was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom and featured, among others, performances by Cyndi Lauper, Deborah Cooper and a 50-piece orchestra that played Brainbug’s “Nightmare” and Tim Rex’s “Relentless” live for 5,000 appreciative fans. Caligula boldly raised the bar for future events and will now be held annually the last weekend of June.

Victor expanded his rÈsumÈ in 2001 with bimonthly residencies at Stereo in Montreal, Canada and Tribal Sessions in Manchester, England. He also traveled overseas for performances at TLV in Tel Aviv, Israel, Cuvo Paradiso in Mykonos, Greece and L’Enser in Paris, France. He has also arranged the music for the past several Dolce & Gabbana runway fashion shows in Milan, Italy. At home in the United States, Victor spins monthly at Crobar in Miami’s South Beach, occasionally travels for special events around the country and is patiently waiting for the right opportunity to resume a residency in New York City.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, Victor still has some dreams to fulfill, particularly his desire to work on motion picture soundtracks. He is also currently working in the studio with a female vocalist he recently discovered to help develop her burgeoning career while further exploring the down-tempo side of electronic music. Victor’s Sensory Mix of Madonna’s “Don’t Tell Me” and his Calderone & Quayle Dark Side Mix of “What It Feels Like For A Girl,” both experiments in ambient electronica, garnered critical acclaim and impressed Madonna so much that she featured his version of the latter song on her Drowned World Tour.

Because his talent is so prominent, it is easy to forget that Victor Calderone’s career achievements are also the result of his true spirit of determination, as well as his dedication to perfection and persistence in an ultra-competitive industry. His many years of hard work and monumental success are only overshadowed by his sincerity, modesty, unwavering commitment to his craft and fierce devotion to his countless fans. A profoundly influential and inspirational talent, Victor has entertained millions of people, generously donated to charitable causes and earned the utmost respect of his peers, all while boldly pushing the universal limits of originality and ingenuity.

During an earlier interview, Victor summed up his prolific career perfectly when he modestly proclaimed, “If it wasn’t for the audience and the fans, I wouldn’t exist, so I wouldn’t have any right coming off to anybody like I’m anything special. I’m very grateful for all the support and everything that’s been going on in my life. It’s been amazing and I’m very happy.”

– Written by Matt Kalkhoff

Remix Credits;

Title's;

Reflections

Bedtime Story

Low Frequency

Lola's Theme

Third Dimention

Strict Machine

Naughty Girl

This Beat Is

Send your love

Hollywood

Die Another Day

Rain

Feeling You

Work It Out

Soak Up The Sun

Insatiable

Alive

Bring It

Emotions

Keep Control

Runaway Lover

Shine

Running

Survivor

Beautiful

What It Feels Like

For The Music

Don’t Tell Me

Independent Woman

Music

Shackles

Don’t Want Another Man

Summer Fling

American Pie

Funkin for

Desert Rose

Your Eyes

If I Want

Beautiful Stranger

Unique

Rhythm Is My Bitch

Metaforce

Joy and Pain

Written in the Stars

Alright

Always You

Por Ariba Por Abajo

Cubik

I’m Beautiful

Tell Me

Sky Fits Heaven

Magalenha

Holy Waters

Cleopatra Theme

Push It

Hoplessly Devoted

Ray of Light

Heavens What I Feel

Happy

Frozen

Dance With Me

Kick Up The Volume

Mighty Real

It’s Over

Never Gonna Fall

It’s My Time

Give Me Love

Sky’s The Limit

K Hole

Me Confund

A DJ Saved My Life

Tic Tic Tac

Make Sweet Music

Horizons

Take Control

Bostich

20,000 HMC

There Is No Law

Oolaa

Chime

Artist's;

That Kid Chris

Madonna

Chus & Ceballos

Shapeshifters

D-Formation

Goldfrapp

Beyoncy Knowles

Superchumbo

Sting

Madonna

Madonna

Astrid

Solange

Beyonce Knowles

Sheryl Crow

Darren Hayes

Kevin Aviance

Soluna

Destiny’s child

Sono

Madonna

Cyndi Lauper

Information Society

Destiny’s Child

Mandalay

Madonna

Colourful Karma

Madonna

Destiny’s Child

Madonna

Mary Mary

Dynamix

Kd lang

Madonna

Towa-Tei

Sting

Elsie Muniz

One Plus One

Madonna

Lisa Unique

Kevin Aviance

Art of Noise

Moa

Elton John

Club 69

Jennifer Paige

Ricky Martin

808 State

Bette Midler

Billie Myers

Madonna

Sergio Mendez

Angelique

Cleopatra

Garbage

Olivia Newton John

Madonna

Gloria Estefan

Towa Tei

Madonna

Ron Perkov

Rob Tissera

Byron Stingly

Dollshead

Lisa Stansfield

Souvlaki

Alcatraz

Mac Vibe

Sizequeen

Factor X

Blacknuss

Carrapicho

Connie Harvey

Lakota Hoskila

BG Prince of Rap

Yellow

Messiah

Messiah

Orbital

Orbital

Record Label's;

-

Maverick

Stereo_Productions

Positiva

Beatfreak

Mute

Columbia

Twisted

Interscope

Maverick

Maverick

Statrax

Columbia

Columbia

Interscope

Columbia

Wave

Dreamworks

Columbia

Groovilicious

Maverick

Edel

Tommy Boy

Columbia

V2

Maverick

Dot Dot Dot

Maverick

Columbia

Maverick

Columbia

Star 69

Warner Brothers

Maverick

Sony Japan

Interscope

Interscope

Electra

Maverick

Sony International

Wave

ZTT

Tommy Boy

Rocket Records

Twisted

Hollywood

Sony International

Universal

Warner Brothers

Universal

Maverick

Epic

Red Ant

Maverick

Almo

Polygram

Maverick

Epic

Electra

Maverick

Arpee

MCA

Nervous

MCA

Arista

Wonder Boy

AMPM

Eight Ball

Twisted

BMG International

BMG International

BMG

Eight Ball

Sony Germany

Epic

FFRR

Kickin

Kickin

FFRR

FFRR

victorcalderone.com/static/index.html

profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=116346565

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Calderone

Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.