Sony Music Publishing Colombia has signed a global catalog administration agreement with the estate of Colombian singer, songwriter and accordionist Omar Geles. The deal covers more than 300 works from his catalog.
The agreement includes the vallenato songs:
- “Cuatro Rosas”
- “A Blanco y Negro”
- “Tu Hombre Soy Yo”
- “Tarde lo Conocí”
Family and publishing executives outline partnership
Maren García thanked the publisher on behalf of the family and estate, saying she hoped the partnership would build on trust and respect while bringing Geles’ music to new generations.
“Thanks for making us feel at home since the first moment and for continuing to write the history of the legacy of my eternal love, a legacy that will continue to live in each one of his songs,” García said.
Jorge Mejía, Sony Music Publishing’s President and CEO for Latin America and U.S. Latin, said the partnership would focus on preserving, promoting and expanding Geles’ legacy and bringing his songs to audiences worldwide.
Laura Mendoza, the company’s Managing Director for Colombia, said the agreement carried a responsibility to preserve and promote his work. She also noted that his songs had been performed by Geles himself and other vallenato artists.
A career spanning more than four decades
Geles’ songwriting and performing career extended over four decades. Artists who performed his compositions include Diomedes Díaz, Silvestre Dangond, Jorge Oñate, Kaleth Morales, Elder Dayán Díaz, Jorge Celedón, Los Hermanos Zuleta, Hebert Vargas, Peter Manjarrés and Iván Villazón.
He gained prominence in the 1980s with Los Diablitos, whose hits included “Los Caminos de la Vida” and “Cómo le Pago a mi Dios.” In 2004, he launched La Gente de Omar Geles and continued writing and performing throughout his career.
Geles received three Latin GRAMMY nominations and was crowned Rey Vallenato at the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in 1989.
