Carlos Sosa (musician)


Carlos Sosa is an American musician, producer, composer, music director, and arranger. Heavily influenced by the R&B and funk sounds of the 1970s, Sosa founded Grooveline Horns in 1996, and is best known for touring and recording with Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, and Zac Brown Band.

Early influences and career

Sosa started playing saxophone around the age of 10. When he was 15, he joined a funk band and started playing clubs in Texas. Heavily influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, he knew his musical preferences leaned heavily towards funk, R&B, soul and pop music.
He attended Texas State University, getting a degree in Audio Engineering. While in college, he formed Grooveline Horns and they played with various cover bands on 6th Street, honing their versatility. Within a short time, they began playing with Austin musician Bob Schneider. This led to bigger acts using the group including Don Henley, Suicidal Tendencies, and Kelly Clarkson.

Awards

Discography

YearAlbumArtistCredits
2017Finally It's ChristmasHansonEngineer, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone
2017Sir RoseveltSir RoseveltSaxophone, arranger
2017Jesse & JoyJesse & JoySaxophone
2017Lay It on DownKenny Wayne Shepherd Band / Kenny Wayne ShepherdSaxophone
2017Until My Voice Goes OutJosh Abbott BandProducer, engineer, Saxophone, Horn Arrangements
2016SparkDrake WhiteSaxophone
2015Big TroubleOutasightComposer
2015Un Besito MasJesse & JoySaxophone
2015Vivir Sin MiedoBuikaSaxophone
20148Luis FonsiArranger, engineer, Horn Arrangements, Horn Engineer, Mixing, Saxophone
2014Dear YouMeikoSaxophone, Horn Arrangements, Horn Engineer
2014Defected Presents Glitterbox Ibiza2014Composer
2014Engelbert CallingEngelbert HumperdinckSaxophone, Primary Artist, Horn, Horn Arrangements, Horn Engineer
2014JuntoBasement JaxxComposer
2014ViajeRicardo ArjonaSaxophone, producer
2013All People Michael FrantiSaxophone, arranger, Horn Section
2013Baby Let's DanceShane FilanSaxophone
2013Dirty WordDumpstaphunkGuest Artist, Primary Artist
2013In a World Like ThisBackstreet BoysSaxophone, Horn Engineer, Primary Artist
2013PTX, Vol. 2PentatonixComposer
2013Red RoomThe ShadowboxersSaxophone, Horn Arrangements, Primary Artist
2013Everything to MeShane FilanSaxophone
2013Whut It Dew: The AlbumRapid RicSaxophone
2012Love Is a Four Letter WordJason MrazSaxophone
2012Warren Haynes / Warren Haynes BandSaxophone, Guest Artist
2012¿Con Quién Se Queda el Perro?Jesse & JoyArranger, Saxophone
2012Watergate XWatergate RecordsComposer, producer
2011Cocoon HeroesAdam Beyer / Dorian PaicComposer, producer
2011When You Gonna LearnBeverly KnightSaxophone
2011Everybody Want SumDumpstaphunkSaxophone
2011Soul UKBeverly KnightHorns
2011Trevor HallSaxophone, Horn Engineer
2011Man in MotionWarren HaynesSaxophone
2011Fabric 56Derrick CarterComposer
2010The Future Ain't What It Used to BeBleu EdmondsonSaxophone
2010Top TenSalvadorProducer
2009Back in the BoxDJ SneakProducer, Mixing, composer
2009Del CastilloDel CastilloSaxophone
2009Catwalk Megahits 2009Various ArtistsComposer
2009Chilled, Vol. 2: 1991–2009Various ArtistsComposer
2009How Far Is Heaven: The Best of SalvadorSalvadorProducer
2009La Terrazza Atmospherical Fun ClubValentino KanzyaniComposer, producer
200810,000 Nights AlphabeatComposer
2008Bacardi B-Live, Vol. 9Various ArtistsComposer
2008The Glass PassengerJack's MannequinSaxophone, Horn Arrangement
2009When I Let GoPaul WesleySaxophone, Horn Arrangements
2008Thicker Than WaterVallejoSaxophone, composer
2008We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.Jason MrazArranger, engineer, Flute, Saxophone, Saxophone
2008The New WorldBruce RobisonSaxophone, composer
2007Feel the BoomboxBoombox ATXProducer, Saxophone, Founder, Group Member
2007Future Clouds & RadarFuture Clouds & RadarSaxophone
2007Noble CreaturesThe GourdsSaxophone
2007Listen HearDumpstaphunkSaxophone
2007Get DownTodd Terry / Todd Terry All StarsComposer
2007Penthouse: La Nuit LuxureTodd TerryComposer
2007Strictly Todd TerryTodd TerryComposer
2007The Birth of CorneliusCorneilleSaxophone, Horn Arrangements
2007The Grand DJ Mix 2007: Non Stop House TraxxVarious ArtistsComposer
2007Vocal House Sensation, Vol. 1Various ArtistsComposer
2007Young Style Grooves, Vol. 3Various ArtistsComposer
200624/7 Intimate PraiseJoyce PierceSaxophone
2006From There to Here and NowRolandoProducer, engineer, Mixing, composer
2006Get It Goin'StereokitschSaxophone
2006Hot House 2006Various ArtistsComposer
2006Musique, Vol. 1Daft PunkComposer
2006No. 1 Euphoric Dance Album Various ArtistsComposer
2006Real House ClassicsVarious ArtistsProducer, composer
2006Sensation White 2006Various ArtistsComposer
2006Sessions 4DJ SneakComposer
2006Summer EssentialsVarious ArtistsComposer
2005¡Bastardos!Blues TravelerEditing, Saxophone, Horn Overdubs
2005ByzantineJud NewcombSaxophone
2005ChicaChicaSaxophone
2005DistanciasJason McGuireEngineer
2005Family DuelsInland KnightsComposer
2005House of OmDJ SneakComposer
2005Parables & PrimesDanny SchmidtEngineer, Assistant
2005Playboy: The Mansion SoundtrackFelix da HousecatProducer, composer
2005Qué Tan Lejos Está El CieloSalvadorProducer, arranger, Vocals, Saxophone, Recording, composer
2005Renaissance Presents FrontiersYousefComposer
2005Switch, Vol. 3Various ArtistsComposer
2005Technics in the Mix 50: 2005Various ArtistsComposer
2004Album, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
2004Amor Sagrado, Vol. 1Various ArtistsComposer
2004Chillout Sessions, Vol. 5Various ArtistsComposer
2004Club Classics – The Greatest Old SkoolVarious ArtistsProducer, composer
2004Housekeepin'DJ SneakComposer
2004Dancemania, Vol. 21: Non-Stop Mixed by X-TremeX-TremeComposer
2004Para el PuebloLa MafiaGuest Artist, Saxophone
2004Screen CutsVarious ArtistsComposer
2004So NaturalSalvadorComposer
2004The Trax Records: The Next GenerationVarious ArtistsComposer
2004The Trax Records: Queer TraxVarious ArtistsComposer
2004Tribal Gathering Presents 10 Years of Sankey's SoapKrysko / Greg VickersProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2003Alfresco Soiree, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
2003Best of House, Vol. 3Various ArtistComposer
2003Chinese VacationSteve PoltzSaxophone
2003Con PoderSalvadorProducer, arranger, Saxophone, Recording, composer
2003Conciones de la Familia de la VegaLeti DelavegaTenor Saxophone
2003Credence Club HitsVarious ArtistsComposer
2003Daft ClubDaft PunkComposer
2003Dance Nation 2003Various ArtistsComposer
2003Homework/DiscoveryDaft PunkComposer
2003Earthbeat, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
2003Good for NuthinHoneybrowneProducer, engineer, Mixing, Percussion, Vocal Harmony, Group Member
2003House Classics: The Greatest House Anthems of All TimeVarious ArtistsProducer, composer
2003Living in a Big Pink EdselHulley GulleysSaxophone
2003LuckyJean SynodinosSax, Sax, Group Member
2003Now Dance 2003, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
2003Pensando en TiVarious ArtistsProducer
2003Steamboat Live '97VallejoPrimary Artist
2003Chinese VacationSteve PoltzHorn Arrangements
2003Pure Dance Party, Vol. 1Various ArtistsComposer
2003Siempre en Forma, Vol. 1Various ArtistsComposer
2003The Best Dance Album in the World...Ever! 2002Various ArtistsComposer
2003The Challenge: A Call to ActionPromise KeepersHorn Overdubs
2003Underwater, Episode 2Darren EmersonProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2003Worship LiveSalvadorArranger
20022002 Brit Awards HitsVarious ArtistsComposer
2002Bate Que BateMayonesaVocals
2002Decks and the City, Vol. 1: New YorkMarcus & DominiqueProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2002Fencing Under FirePatrice PikeSax, Sax
2002Got Dance?Various ArtistsComposer
2002Into MotionSalvadorSaxophone, Horn Arrangements, Overdub Engineer
2002Kiss Presents: Hit List 2002Various ArtistsComposer
2002Mastercuts: DiscothèqueVarious ArtistsProducer
2002Miss Moneypenny's GoldVarious ArtistsComposer
2002My Favorite RecordAsylum Street SpankersAdditional Personnel, Sax
2002Nouvelle DiscothèqueVarious ArtistsComposer
2002Platinum IbizaVarious ArtistsProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2002Trust the DJ: SJ01Smokin JoProducer, Mixing, composer
2002Wild, Vol. 15Various ArtistsComposer
2001Absolute 2001Various ArtistsComposer
2001AtacaTribuProducer, engineer, Editing, Sax, Sax
2001Creamfields 2001Seb Fontaine / YousefProducer, composer
2001Digital LoveDaft PunkComposer
2001DiscoveryDaft PunkComposer
2001DjMixed.Com: DJ FeelgoodDJ FeelgoodProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2001Darren EmersonProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2001LonelylandBob SchneiderSaxophone
2001MayonesaChocolateVocals
2001Miami 2001Various ArtistsComposer
2001Miss Moneypenny's: Going GlobalJim "Shaft" RyanProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
2002Now Dance 2002Various ArtistsComposer
2001Now That's What I Call Music! 50 Various ArtistsComposer
2001Pepsi Chart 2002Various ArtistsComposer
2001Queen Club Paris: DJ Set, Vol. 1–2Various ArtistsComposer
2001Sneak's Ju Ju BeatsDJ SneakComposer
2000BombtracksThe ScabsSaxophone
2000DestroyerThe ScabsSaxophone
2000Sub Club Presents SubversionVarious ArtistsProducer, arranger, Mixing
1999Classic ClassicVarious ArtistsProducer, composer
1999Club Series, Vol. 2DJ IreneComposer
1999Denver LiveDJ Vitamin DProducer, arranger, Mixing, composer
1999Groove Radio International Presents: Global HouseSwedish EgilComposer
1999HitsJocelyn BrownComposer
1999Little BrotherBeaver NelsonSaxophone
1999Ministry of Sound, Vol. 9Various ArtistsComposer
1999More Than a FeelingThe ScabsHorn Arrangements
1998Absolute Dance Mix, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
1998Boom Boom BabyThe Ugly AmericansHorn Arrangements
1998Boomtown FloodCadillac Voodoo ChoirSax, Sax
1998FreebirdThe ScabsHorn Arrangements
1998L.A. House RiotThe International HooligansComposer
1998Subliminal: Get The Message, Vol. 1Various ArtistsComposer
1997House KissesVarious ArtistsComposer
1997VallejoVallejoAssistant Engineer
1995Deep House Party, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
1986Should the World Fail to Fall ApartPeter MurphyCover Design, Paintings
2017ANTS, Vol. 2: God Save the QueenVarious ArtistsComposer
2015Defected Presents Most Rated Ibiza 2015Various ArtistsComposer
2012Digital LoveAlmamyComposer
2009Mundo AlasLeon Gieco Y OtrosPaintings
2012Strictly 4 DJs, Vol. 6Various ArtistsComposer
2011Strictly Ibiza to AmsterdamNorman DorayComposer
2015Ven a CristoAlex PerezComposer
2012Wax Motif & Neoteric Present Strictly Rhythms, Vol. 9Various ArtistsComposer

Singles

Tours

Music community and advocacy

Carlos is an active member of the Texas Chapter Board of Governors for the Recording Academy, having held office as both President and Vice President.
He is on the board of directors for the SIMS Foundation, and has advocated with local politicians regarding the epidemic of opioid abuse.
Sosa is also an Advisory Board Member of Black Fret, a non-profit organization that provides grants and mentorship to musicians.
He has advocated for passing laws for royalty payments for musicians in the US, providing parity with the rest of the world.
After the 2017 Las Vegas shooting while playing with Josh Abbott band, he urged fans to continue going to shows.