Biography
“Be ruined for the ordinary and obsessed with the pursuit of wonder. That wonder is Jesus Christ.”
Holding the distinction as the 1st U.S. Speaker of Creative Economy and Global Arts Entrepreneurship for the U.S. Department of State, Dr. José Valentino Ruiz, is an internationally acclaimed performing artist, composer, scholar, and entrepreneur, recognized as the 2024 Global Genius® Grand Prize Winner, a ten-time Global Genius® Award Winner, four-time Latin GRAMMY® Award Winner, four-time Latin GRAMMY® Nominee, EMMY® Award Winner, 55-time DownBeat® Music Award Winner (record holder), and 33-time Global Music® Award Winner (record holder). His career spans over 1,400 performances on six continents, including two headlining concerts at Carnegie Hall. Valentino has produced more than 150 albums, composed music for ten documentaries, authored over 200 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, and provided over 110 keynote addresses and workshops globally. José Valentino is also recognized for raising millions of dollars to support nonprofit arts entrepreneurship education initiatives and has founded multiple influential professional development conferences, including the Music Business & Entrepreneurship Summit, International Jazz & Entrepreneurship Camp, and Global Music Entrepreneurship & Production Summit.
Appointed by the University of Florida as part of the Faculty 500 Initiative, José Valentino concurrently maintains his long-standing role as Co-Founder, Owner, and CEO of JV Music Enterprises. Under his leadership, JV Music Enterprises delivers internationally acclaimed performances, innovative multimedia productions, strategic B2B partnerships with leading global entertainment corporations, prominent social impact organizations, and distinguished influencers in the arts and STEM fields. The company also develops influential educational programming, significantly contributing to global revenue generation and impact. He previously held executive roles, including Director of Digital Content Strategy for Worldwind Music Ltd (UK), substantially growing their international market presence and generating millions of dollars in revenue. and served as contracted Music Producer for American Idol and X-Factor. His visionary leadership, digital productions, and strategic initiatives have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including Inc. Magazine's Best in Business® and Power Partner® Awards, and Fast Company's designation as a Top 10 Most Innovative Company in the World®, in collaboration with Hayden5. At the UF, José Valentino is the tenured Associate Professor of Music Business & Entrepreneurship, collaborating with UF’s Centers for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship; Undergraduate Research; and Latin American Studies to drive innovation at the intersection of arts, entrepreneurship, and digital media.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS IN PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTION, ENGINEERING, COMPOSITION, BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, DIGITAL MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, & EDUCATION
Legendary artists describe José Valentino’s artistry on the bass guitar as "Very soulful and heartfelt!" (Multi-GRAMMY® Award Winner, John Patitucci) and "Amazing and incredible!" (Bass Magazine’s three-time Bassist of the Year® Award Winner, Victor Wooten); on the saxophone as "Genius!" (Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Paquito D’Rivera) and "Openly and unequivocally speaks beyond" (multi-Oscar® Award Winning film musician, Pedro Eustache); and on the flute as "Playing the flute with fire!" (National Endowment of the Arts® Jazz Master, Hubert Laws); and "The best improvisor on flute!" (Lifetime Achievement Award® Winning flutist, Jim Walker).
Valentino's extensive list of international accolades spans multiple disciplines, reflecting achievements in music, business, entrepreneurship, digital media production, communications, and education. Some of his international honors include four GRAMMY® Awards for Best Children's Album®, Best Contemporary Classical Composition®, Best Christian Album in Spanish Language® (2x); four additional GRAMMY® Award nominations for Best Instrumental Album® (3x) and Best Latin Jazz Album®, an EMMY® Award for Best Cultural Documentary®; Anthem® Awards from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for Best Strategy in Education, Art, and Culture® (2x), and a Dove® Award from the Gospel Music Association for Best Spanish Language of the Year®. Valentino made history with his production featured at the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards Multi-Museum Exhibition and also received the Parents' Choice® Gold Medal Award.
Unprecedented in scope and impact, his multifaceted artistry as a composer, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, concerto soloist, improviser, chamber musician, and audio engineer has garnered international acclaim. He holds the record for the most Global Genius® Awards (10x), Downbeat Music® Awards (55x) including Best Jazz Soloist®, Best Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist®, Best Latin Group®, Best Studio Engineering®, Best Live Engineering®, Best Classical Soloist®, Best Blues/Pop/Rock Group®, and Best Small Jazz Group®; and Global Music® Awards (33x) including Gold Medal Award of Excellence® (3x) and Album of the Year®. His accolades also include the Yamaha Young Performing Artist® Award, five United Kingdom Music Industry® Awards, an ARPA® Award for Best Male Vocal Album® and nomination for Album of the Year®, as well as an International Singer-Songwriters Association® Award for Best International Female Album of the Year®. As a classical soloist, his achievements extend even further. In addition to receiving the Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition, Valentino has distinguished himself among Europe's and Asia's leading classical performers earning three Erik Satie International Music Competition Prizes, two UK International Music Competition Prizes, and two Beethoven-DaVinci International Music Competition Awards—securing the Grand Prize® in each of these prestigious competitions.
In the sectors of business, digital content strategy, and film production, Valentino's accomplishments include Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business® Award, Inc. Magazine’s Power Partner® Award, Fast Company's Top 10 Most Innovative Company® Award in the World for Video, two Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts Davey® Awards including Gold Medal® for Virtual & Remote Experiences in Music and Education Video®, four Audio Visual Arts Digital® Awards from the Association for Marketing & Communication Professionals including Platinum Awards® (2x) and Gold Awards® (2x) for Long Form Video and Televised Broadcast, and two The Communicator® Awards earning Gold Medals for Film/Media® (2x) from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts.
Further recognitions include the University of South Florida Outstanding Young Alumni® Award and Hillsborough County's Commendation® Award for Excellence in Community Entrepreneurship. Valentino's business ventures, productions, and leadership initiatives have garnered recognition from prominent global media outlets, including Inc. Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, Fortune Magazine (2x), The Economist, USA Today, DownBeat Magazine, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Yahoo Finance!, The Miami Herald, Billboard Magazine, CNN Entertainment, Rolling Stone Magazine (2x), and For Bass Players Only Magazine (2x).
In the film industry—and across numerous national and international film festivals, Valentino has garnered widespread recognition for his work as a filmmaker, composer, and creative collaborator. His film The School Duel received the Prix CANAL+ Special 50th Anniversaire Award® at the Deauville Festival du Cinéma Américain. He was also honored with the New Vision® Award and the Main Feature Film Award® at the Bahamas International Film Festival, as well as Best American Feature Film® at the Champs-Élysées Film Festival. At the Chelsea Film Festival, Valentino’s contributions were recognized with Best Dramatic Film® and Best Featured Film® honors, while the Miami Independent Film Festival awarded him Best Shorts & Narrative Documentary®. His impactful educational work on The Asylum earned the University® Award for Most Impactful Education Value® at the Paladino d'Oro Sports Film Festival and received an Honorary Showing® at the 2024 Miami International Film Festival. Valentino’s films Breaking Point and Improv Island received Best Short Film® and Best Documentary®, respectively, at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. His earlier work, The Sunbelt Express, was officially selected for numerous esteemed festivals, including the New Hampshire Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, Napa Valley Film Festival, Tallgrass International Film Festival, and Heartland International Film Festival. These honors, alongside official selections at multiple prestigious festivals, underscore Valentino’s continued impact and innovation in the cinematic arts.
In the television industry, Valentino has played pivotal roles in music production and composition for several high-profile series, including American Idol, The X-Factor, and Netflix’s La Reina del Sur. His expertise also extends to scoring critically acclaimed documentaries such as The Asylum and Art Vessel. Beyond narrative and documentary work, he has contributed music production for nationally syndicated commercials produced by Hayden5, representing major global brands such as McDonald’s, Swiffer, Adidas, Doritos, The Economist, and others. In addition, Valentino has collaborated on documentary projects directed by renowned filmmakers, further establishing his versatility and influence across visual media platforms.
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTION
Among 150+ albums produced, Valentino's critically acclaimed and award-winning as a solo artist include A Traveler's Journey; Soul Speaks: A Lyrically Soloistic Bass Project; Remembering; Expressions: The Jazz Piano Album; A Walk With God; We Are One: An Exploration of Latin American Music; Ahora Más Que Nunca; Eternal Power; His Presence; His Power; Shade & Color; Real & Raw: Live Sessions; Spirit; Embarkation: The Resiliency of Humanity Amid COVID-19; Rompiendo Fronteras (Breaking Boundaries); FAMILIA: A Long-Awaited Dream Come True; Jubilee; In the Twinkling of an Eye; Cuerdas de Corazón: Homenaje a Arturo Bermudez; Keys to the Groove; Claude Bolling Goes Latin: Suite for Flute & Latin Music Ensemble; Sound (EP); Into the Night (EP); Avantguardia; A La Fiesta de la Música Vamos Todos; En Busca del Gramm Dorado; Ramirez Reimagined: Misa Criolla y Navidad Nuestra; and Found Connections: Concerto for Multi-Instrumentalist & Wind Symphony featuring José Valentino
José Valentino has headlined as a performer and film composer at many of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. His U.S. appearances include Carnegie Hall (2x), Tanglewood Hall, Music City Stadium in Nashville, Clearwater Jazz Holiday (3x), and the NAMM Show (7x), where he also featured at YAMAHA® Night of Worship. He has performed at the International Guitar Foundation of America Convention (2x), the National Flute Association Convention (8x), Pilgrimage Festival, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and Musikfest, the largest outdoor music festival in the United States.
Valentino has been a featured artist at leading jazz and arts festivals, including the Seabreeze Jazz Festival (3x), Uptown Music & Arts Festival (2x), Winter Park Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Low Country Jazz Festival, St. Armand’s Jazz Festival, Sarasota Jazz Festival, St. Pete Jazz Festival (3x), St. Pete Latin Jazz Festival (3x), Great Plains Jazz Festival, and the Clearwater Latin Jazz Festival. He has also graced faith-based and crossover stages such as Free Chapel’s Christmas Spectacular—the largest Christmas production in the Southeastern U.S., where he has performed seven times –– ULTRA Music Festival, World Music Festival, Jazz Education Network Conference (2x), Ocoee Jazz Series, and the UpStage Concert Series.
Internationally, Valentino’s performances have reached audiences in Spain, Greece, Turkey, Liberia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Austria, Hungary, France, Uruguay, and extensively throughout the United States. Notable international venues include El Choliseo and El Conservatorio de Puerto Rico, while distinguished U.S. concert halls and arenas in his portfolio include SOLD OUT concerts at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (7x), Reilly Arts Center (5x), Adrienne Arsht Center, TheMahaffey Theater (3x), Straz Center for the Performing Arts, The Palladium Theater (6x), and the RCA Dome, where he performed eight times to audiences of 10K, 20K, 30K, and 50K for the Church of God® International General Assembly.
SCHOLARSHIP IN ART ENTREPRENEURSHIP, BUSINESS, & MUSIC INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Valentino's keynote addresses, scholarly research, performances, and commissioned compositions have been featured at prestigious academic and professional conferences, including American Advertizing Federation, Musikfest’s Music Industry and Education Conference, International Society for Music Education, Global Institute for Music Research, Association for Popular Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education, National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Educators Association, Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education, Music Business & Entrepreneurship Summit, International Jazz & Entrepreneurship Camp, and Global Music Entrepreneurship & Production Summit, Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit, CAME Innovation Summit, University Research Magazine Association, Suncoast Music Education Research Symposium, Texas Music Education Association, National Flute Association, International Jazz & Entrepreneurship Camp, Global Music Production and Entrepreneurship Summit, Aspen Music Festival, TEDx Talk, Berklee's ABLE Assembly, Florida Flute Association, World Flute Society, International Guitar Foundation of America Convention, UF International Piano Festival, National Opera Association, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Gospel Music Association, Jazz Education Network, The Midwest Clinic for Band and Orchestra, UF Music Industry Leadership Day, Digital Music Entrepreneurship & Leadership Summit, among many others.
An interdisciplinary authority in academic research, thought leadership, and public scholarship, Valentino engages deeply with subjects spanning business and entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence + optimization and ethics, communications, educational pedagogy & intervention studies, music, audio production, film, STEM–arts integration, and worship studies. His work is widely published in leading national and international academic journals and scholarly outlets, reflecting both the breadth and depth of his contributions across disciplines including: InternationalJournal of Music Performative Research, International Journal of Music & Cultural Studies, International Journal of Music Entrepreneurship & Leadership, Open Journal of Music Education, International Journal of Health and Music, International Journal of Music Pedagogy, Artivate: A Journal of Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education, Journal of Popular Music Education, College Music Symposium, National Association for Music Education, Creativity & Commerce Journal; Music Business & Creative Enterprise Leadership (F-flat Books); International Journal of Black Gospel Worship; Association for Popular Music Education, International Journal of Christian Music Education, International Journal of Worship Studies & Creative Ministry, Black Westchester; Music Business Journal (Berklee), International Journal of Community Music, International Journal of Worship Arts & Creative Ministry, Artistry in Motion: Studies in Musicianship, Production, and Performance, Journal of Migratory & Intercultural Entrepreneurship, Journal of Community Entrepreneurship, Leadership, & Innovation.
Continuingly, Valentino has published scholarship in the International Research Forum for Music Performance & Artistry, International Research Forum for Music & Wellbeing, International Research Forum for Music Business & Innovation, International Research Forum for Music Administration & Governance, International Research Forum for Cross-Cultural Music & Issues, International Research Forum for Music Pedagogy & Practice, The Soundtrack: A Journal of Film Music Studies; Global Hip Hop Studies; Groundworks, International Research Forum for Global Music Education, International Research Forum for Music & Multimedia Production, International Research Forum for Music Improvisation & Composition, International Trombone Journal, Music Teacher National Association E-Journal, American Music Teacher, Music Teacher National Association Business Digest, Kansas Music Review, Journal of Undergraduate Research, Voyage Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, Bold Journey Magazine, The Conversation, All About Jazz, The Flute View, The Flute Examiner, and Flutist Quarterly.
Valentino currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Music Entrepreneurship & Leadership and Music Business and Creative Enterprise Leadership at F-flat Books, and Creativity & Commerce Journal. Previously, he served as Co-Editor of Artivate: A Journal of Entrepreneurship in the Arts.
GLOBAL AMBASSADORSHIPS & ENDORSEMENTS
Valentino serves as a Global Ambassador and Clinician for several internationally recognized brands, including Sefarad Flutes®, Bari Mouthpieces & Reeds®, Wyn Bass Guitars®, YAMAHA®, Faith Guitars, Tune Bass Guitars®, Kiki Baby Basses®, Black Diamond Strings®, and Super Sensitive Strings®. His previous roles include Global Ambassador positions with Trevor James Saxophones® and Trevor James Flutes®.
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS & PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION
Dr. José Valentino Ruiz holds advanced academic credentials, including:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Theory – University of South Florida
- Master of Music (M.M.) in Instrumental Performance – Frost School of Music, University of Miami
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Global Outreach & Missiology – Truth & Mercy Institute for Advance Ministry Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education – Center for Music Education Research, University of South Florida
- Doctor of Biblical Exposition (D.B.E.) with a concentration in Family Entrepreneurship – Andersonville Theological Seminary
Valentino's prior professional academic and educational leadership positions include Director of Global Entrepreneurship Initiatives at the Diaz Music Institute (501C3), Assistant Professor of Music Business, Production, and Jazz, Instructor of Record and Course Developer at the University of South Florida, Youth Music Director and Director of Music Education for At-Risk Students at the E.D.G.E. Program, and Music Teacher at Pepin Academies Special Needs Charter School.