Rafa Sardina
MUSIC & SOUND DIRECTOR
There are just not enough adjectives to describe this human wonder, 18-x Grammy® & Latin Grammy® Winner/ Producer/Mixer/Engineer, A.K.A Rafa Sardina - the magic wand behind MANY of the greatest albums OF OUR TIME (including Lady Gaga’s Born This Way - the symbolism of which we ourselves are simply gaga - since the TA-DA! mission, of course, hinges on raising kids who grow up embracing that no one chooses where they are born - we’re ALL awesome to love!).
Rafa grew up in a fishing village in Northern Spain and immigrated to the States with his family at age 15. Valedictorian, medical student, music virtuoso…this man’s ambition and drive, coupled with heart and soul that competes with the best of ‘em, inspires us greatly.
Champion of the ‘make it happen’ and ‘never give up’ mottos, Rafa decided just prior to his final exam in his fourth year of medical school that his heart was committed to music. He then quickly saved up for a three-week recording certification program at The Recording Workshop school in Chillicothe, Ohio, and returned to Spain so he could continue saving for the full, and most highly-regarded music engineering program availble. (That would be Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida.) He then organized a 24-hour trip to Los Angeles where he made interviews happen at Record Plant, Westlake Recording Studios and Ocean Way Recording, and bingo! A career made in the stars commenced.
At Ocean Way, a young Rafa would record The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dr. Dre, David Foster…Let’s just say, like Melissa, Rafa has got it goin’ on!
Today Rafa is known for his work on Pop, Rock, R&B and Latin records, although he also works on a variety of genres including Jazz, Orchestral, Gospel, World and Film/TV soundtracks.
Now based in Los Angeles, in addition to making music that simply makes the world a happier place, Rafa is the current governor of the Recording Academy, Los Angeles Chapter; a founding member and vice chairman of the Latin Recording Academy's CPI; and TA-DA!, yep, you got it, Sound & Music Director for our startup, TA-DA! Language Productions.
The story on how our CEO got Rafa on board we’ll have to save for another day since this post is getting so long. But suffice it to say, it is similar to that of Tim’s. [At right, the climax of that story, a purposefully minuscule photo of us meeting at the L.A. airport at 7 in the morning following an international flight.]
Fun facts:
Rafa was the executive producer of the 2017 and 2018 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year galas honoring Alejandro Sanz and Maná. Go Rafa!
Rafa engineered the album "Symphonic Soweto: A Tribute To Nelson Mandela", which won the South African Music Award for Best Contemporary Album in 2018.
Check out his eclectic and impressive client list:
Stevie Wonder, Camila Cabello, D’Angelo, Rosalía, John Legend, Elvis Costello & The Roots, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Flor De Toloache, Jordan Smith, David Foster, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Placido Domingo, Celine Dion, Rachel Platten, Harry Conick Jr, Josh Groban, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Dr. Dre, Dru Hill, Armando Manzanero, David Morales, Jessy Moss, Luis Miguel, Paco de Lucía, Chris Botti, Susan Boyle, Katherine Jenkins, Zaz, Stewart Copeland, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Angelique Kidjo, Beyonce, ChocQuibTown, Beto Cuevas, Kevon Edmonds, Kina, Eric Marienthal, Juanes, Angie Stone, Calle 13, Illya Kuriaki & The Valderramas, Alejandro Fernandez, blues legends Al Blake & Fred Kaplan, Juan Gabriel, Jumaane Smith, Jackie Evancho, Naturally 7, Michael Bublé, Cristian Castro, Clare Fischer Big Band, Vicente Amigo, Macy Gray, Robbie Williams, Nick Jonas, Anitta, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Patti Austin, Soweto Gospel Choir, Alejandro Sanz, Natalia Lafourcade, Miguel, and Residente among many others. He has received over 60 Grammy & Latin Grammy Nominations for his work with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Luis Miguel, Diego Torres, Clare Fischer Big Band, Illya Kuriaki & The Valderramas, Alejandro Sanz, Flor De Toloache, Calle 13, and D’Angelo & The Vanguard.
Yes, we give thanks daily and simply cannot wait to bring you the magic we’ve been making together to do our part in helping raise wiser, kinder and more connected kids who love learning about language the TA-DA! way!
