Cielo Presents | Hex Hector & Jason Ojeda with Les Carbonell

While most legendary dj/producers are known for one specific genre, Hex Hector is that rare talent whose 20 year plus career has encompassed the entire gamut of dance music. He grew up in New York City during its dance music glory days, taking in the sounds of legendary spots like Paradise Garage, The Funhouse and The Loft. In the early part of his career he was the dj at the China Club in NYC on Monday nights, playing mainstream dance tunes to New York’s most celebrated nightcrawlers. From there he gained residencies at famous 90’s clubs like Palladium, Tunnel and Limelight.

In the mid-90’s he shifted into producer mode. Working with stars like Madonna, Toni Braxton and, Deborah Cox, he created a crossover dance sound that dominated pop radio for many years. His efforts culminated in the remix of “Waiting For Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez, earning him a grammy award in 2001 for remixer of the year.
Currently his signature sound has shifted to a more global, soulful house sound. In New York City, which is one of the home bases for this more evolved genre of dance music, Hex has emerged as one of the most respected dj’s in soulful house clubs like Cielo and Santos and is a favorite at the world-renowned Stereo Club in Montreal.


It should come as no surprise that Jason Ojeda has emerged as “one to watch” among the next crop of young DJs vying for the coveted status of National Circuit Party DJ. Known today for his hard house beats and smooth soulful grooves, Jason grew up in a household where DJing literally was the family business. He was spinning records for his uncle’s mobile DJ company on Long Island, NY at nine years old.

“I mostly did weddings and sweet sixteen?s back then,” Jason explains. “My mom would drop me off and pick me up at the end of the night.”

Jason landed his first local club gig and residency at 15. “I was running the party before I was even legal to drink,” he laughs. After that, Jason bounced around local house music clubs on Long Island before being offered a residency at CPI’s, a Hampton?s night spot regularly frequented by partying summer weekenders from New York City. The exposure from CPI’s led to gigs at top New York City venues including Sound Factory, Limelight, Life, Roxy, Roseland and the prized residency: opening for Junior Vasquez’s Saturday night “Earth” party at Exit.

“I’m excited about where I am now,” says Jason who defines his sound behind the booth as tribal, funky, vocal and very soulful. “I’ve been wanting to break into the gay scene for a long time and Exit’s been my key. Now I have my sights on the circuit scene. I want to be in the circuit so bad. All the records I have ever made were for the gay community in mind.”

Three of Jason’s remixes have charted on Billboard’s Top Twenty including Abigail’s “You Set Me Free” (Groovilicious Records) which hit #1.

“I actually owe my start in production to Robin S. She heard me spin one night and asked me to remix her new records, “All that I’ve Got” and “24 Hour Love.” I accepted without hesitation, even though I didn’t have a clue about producing or working in a studio! I figured I couldn’t let a golden opportunity pass me by."

Luckily, Jason had some notable and experienced friends willing to help him out.

“DJ Razor hooked me up with DJ Guido who back then was producing country music out of a shack behind a house on Long Island,” Jason laughs. "Together, Guido and I remixed Robin’s songs and turned them into immediate club hits. Our remix of “All that I’ve Got” ended up being featured on the soundtrack for the movie Space Jam."

Soon after, Guido joined Razor to form the superstar DJ/production duo of Razor & Guido. Jason aligned with DJ Motomo 315 to form the production company, MindTrap. Under MindTrap, they produced a plethora of dance party remix staples including Inaya Day and Chino Ro’s “Movin’ Up” (Nervous Records) and Kim English’s “Missing You” (Nervous Records).

After MindTrap’s recent split, Jason Ojeda has found success on his own with dance floor hits “Hope Have I” by Sphinx and “Crying At The Discoteque” by Alcazar – the latter of which appears on the Queer As Folk Soundtrack (RCA Victor).

“The biggest misperception about me is that because I’m a straight DJ, I can’t party with the best of them. When you’re on my dance floor, you can be pretty damn sure that I’ll work your body up to a frenzy and get you tweakin’ in ways you never imagined possible.”


Les Carbonell began his musical journey in the South Bronx NYC, where the mix of Hip Hop outside his windows joined with the Afro-Latino sounds pumping through his veins.
It was that musical mix that inspired the House beats Les blends today, a combination of deep soulful beats, a sung melody and plenty of quality Tech. Through their legendary musical mixes Les has been creatively inspired by such talent as, "Little" Louie Vega, Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, Hex Hector, Danny "Buddah" Morales, Oscar G and Victor Calderone only to name a few.

"I must say first & foremost, MUSIC has been an immeasurable influence in my life, as a child to the present. It's permeated every aspect of who I am today, says Les. "It has taught me to express myself in ways I never thought possible. Live, Love, Laugh, Learn & make sure you have one hell of a soundtrack as you go!"

If you have ever experienced one of Les' gigs, you know that this 5ifty 5ive resident comes with a tremendous following to say the least. "Peace and love are my strengths, God is my light & Respect the Circle is my cry," says Carbonell.
An uptown based crew, 5ifty 5ive includes some of the most talented DJ's, dancers & industry personalities spanning the entire Tri-state area. The family continues to expand, covered in 55's from head to toe.
To his credit Les Carbonell has met the decks at legendary NYC venues such as Pacha NYC, Cielo, Santos Party House, National Underground, Sullivan Room, Arena & The Annual Black & White Festival (Governor's Island NYC). The list continues, and covers across every NYC subway line and well into New Jersey. In 2013, Les was invited to spin poolside at the Dorchester (FL) during the annual Miami Music Week.
A family man, Les has held the torch in NYC regarding all ages events, first beginning as resident DJ of Yotel's #BeatBrunch series (2012). In the summer of 2013 Les joined uptown urban art museum El Museo Del Barrio as resident DJ for their Radiance series, where dancers of all ages, shapes and sizes arrived weekly before the first track and begged for more even after the last note played that last Wednesday night of the summer.
Les' wife and children continue to be his drive and inspiration. "I play for her, she's made me understand what true love is, and as long as I can reach people through my sets and or live performance, I know I've succeeded."