The Genius in the Background

By Vanessa Guillen Matheus @itsvaneguillen

To become a pop music superstar, talented individuals must have the right team behind them. Brand managers sell and reinvent the artist’s image, managers handle their business interests, agents look for the right opportunities, and producers oversee see an artistic vision. This reads like a list of courses at a business school, and begs the question: what about the music? 

Arguably, the difference between short-term sensations and the stars that enjoy sustained success is the music. Working with talented songwriters, results in catchy material, and the band of talented musicians you have assembled is tasked with bringing it to life. But every orchestra needs a conductor, and in the world of popular music, that responsibility goes to the musical director.

Tim Mitchell is a household name for music industry insiders. He counts among his friends award-winning musicians and producers. Gloria and Emilio Estefan have been his close friends since 1991, when Tim joined ‘The Miami Sound Machine’ as a guitarist. In 1998, they introduced him to Shakira, who at the time was a Latin Pop sensation but a relative unknown in non-Spanish speaking countries. Mr. Estefan was masterminding her crossover into the English Language charts, and he had a hunch that Tim would be just the right guide for her new musical challenge. 

They became instant friends. “We had the same musical taste. We became immersed in this amazing musical journey together,” Tim explains. “The first time we worked together was for her MTV Unplugged album, which we produced together.” Recorded in Spanish, Shakira’s Unplugged was a raging success, winning both Latin and (original) Grammy Awards.

The pair made magic with ‘Laundry Service,’ her English-language debut album. Tim and Shakira wrote ‘Whenever, Wherever,’ the album’s first hit single. “From all the songs we had, I would have never imagined that the one I co-wrote and co-produced would end up being the lead single. ‘Whenever, Wherever’ really blew up in Europe and went number one in all territories. It felt great!” he says. The song was a massive success, becoming her breakthrough hit in the U.S. Tim initially wanted more of a rock and roll sound, but Shakira insisted on giving the song a Latin feel. Then and there, Tim understood that what set Shakira apart was her Colombian roots, and that had to be an integral part of the music they were creating.

These days, Shakira has many right hands. Through the years, managers and agents have come and gone, but Tim remains her on-the-road musical director to this day. He has described his role as something of a translator: what Shakira asks for in English, Tim translates into music, shaping the foundation of her wildly successful concert tours. 

Starting Out

Growing up in Detroit, his passion for music began very early. At eleven, Tim immersed himself in Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Brian Wilson, and jazz guitarist and composer Pat Martino. He was determined to become a musician, and at fourteen he went to Interlochen Arts Academy, focusing on composition. He went on to major in Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami, with a full merit scholarship. In 1989, Tim auditioned to play guitar with pop sensation Exposé, got the gig, and went on tour. “I did not return to school the next semester.” He was quickly promoted to Exposé’s Music Director, but when South Beach called, he joined the Miami Sound Machine in 1991. 

Gloria Estefan was at the height of her career, and the job kept him busy. However, Tim was free to participate in other projects, and from 1993-1998 he shared the stage with his heroes, ‘Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band.’ These were stressful times, with constant travel from coast to coast, recording albums and touring the world with both acts. 

Tim keeps those early years very close to his heart. As a young musician, he decided not to spend a penny from his earnings while on tour. “When I got the Exposé gig, I was broke. After every show, I would go back to our dressing room, and make my sandwich, which would be my breakfast the next day.” He does not recall ever complaining about it. “I was grateful for all the opportunities I was getting, making music for all these wonderful artists. I was very happy because my dad is a doctor, and his dad too. And I am a musician, I was just happy that I did not ask my dad for money to pay rent.”   

No Regrets

Tim does not regret dropping out from college. “When you’re in school, you want a gig like that one from Exposé. I just wanted to play music. Although, I still get these dreams that I am back to school trying to finish it. What does this mean? Really weird.” 

According to Tim, the most important thing about school, “other than practicing and learning, is the people you meet and the connections you make.” He met Alto Reed, the saxophone player from Bob Seger, when he registered for school at UM. “All the Miami Sound Machine guys, we were in school together, that’s how I got that gig. Same goes for ‘Lopez Tonight,’ when another friend from school, who was working for Warner Brothers, called me to become the musical director for George Lopez’s show.”   

Lead Guitarist 

Having learned from seasoned musicians he looked up to, Tim’s commitment and work ethic are remarkable. “He makes it look easy and effortless, even when you know all the extra hours he’s putting in behind the scenes,”says Shakira’s Project Manager, Nadine Eliya. As time has passed, Tim has become the leader that younger musicians gather around. “He keeps his cool under the most stressful of circumstances, and makes people want to follow his lead out of desire, not obligation.”

Eliya recalls when Tim got injured in Paris last year, minutes before playing to a sold-out arena. With the lights out, and everyone running frantically backstage, Tim bumped into a massive security guard, striking his face against a vest full of radios and tools. “We had no backup guitarist, no back-up musical director to call the cues in his place. Instead of comforting him, hecalmed usdown, and played the show wearing sunglasses to hide a black eye, without missing a single note! Once offstage he was woozy, but he never thought twice about playing. All that mattered to him was that the show must go on. That’s the mark of a true pro.” Tim added “At the end of the ‘El Dorado’ DVD, there is a shot of me in the ambulance. We went straight to the E.R.” 

Tim makes an effort to always be present. Grammy-winning trumpet player Randy Barlow recalls “we were on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to play only two songs, ‘Mi Tierra,’ and ‘Con Los Años que me Quedan,’ a ballad with just Tim and Gloria on stage.” The band was in the Green Room, with producers and other celebrity guests. “But Tim was still backstage with us, he didn’t realize he was about to play.” On the monitor, they saw and heard Jay Leno says,‘And welcome back… once again, Gloria Estefan!’ Tim ran as fast as he could. “I was freaking out! I had eight bars to get to my seat right next to Gloria, so I was crawling under percussions, dodging the cameras. I sat down, and the camera shot just goes to me.” 

The performance went great, but it made Tim paranoid. Since then, when we’re doing TV shows, I’m right by the stage, at all times.” 

Fitzjoy Hellin, Shakira’s former tour manager, agrees with them. He joined the team in 2001 promoting ‘Laundry Service.’ “They told me there was a Music Director too.” But Fitzjoy did not understand what that would entail. “Tim is so dedicated to his work and the people he works with. Work always comes first for Tim, but he creates a friendly atmosphere where everyone is comfortable and happy doing a very stressful job.” 

The Man

When Tim was a kid, he wanted to be one of those British rock stars who owned a castle. However, he has come to enjoy not being the guy in the spotlight. “I became really into producing, and I really love doing that. I love being kind of like a side-man, I think it’s super cool.” 

On stage, Tim has an imposing presence. In person, he is approachable and down to earth. His hands are large with long fingers, as expected from any guitar player, and it is clear that he keeps lean and fit. In fact, combined with his youthful rock and roll wardrobe, it is hard to believe that Tim is in his 50’s. 

Gabriela Diaz, formerly of Shakira’s management team, describes Tim as having “the recipe for a professional musician: discipline, dedication, great attitude, and guaranteed fun on and off the stage.” Indeed, he wakes up at 6:00 AM every day, works out, eats a healthy breakfast, and performs guitar exercises. 

When work is done, you will most likely find him cooking. Sunday’s menu is always Italian: spaghetti and meatballs, or Detroit-style pizza that brings back childhood memories. On Fridays, he explores Indian cuisine, which he learned to impress his singer-songwriter wife Sarah Packiam, who is half Indian. She says Tim’s food is so good that he could “teach a master class. He even called my dad to ask for instructions.” Tim still keeps the piece of paper where he wrote down the Packiam family recipes. 

Together, the Mitchells love to host their ever-expanding group of friends. Among their favorite get-togethers are their annual Thanksgiving dinner, Super Bowl burger feast, and New Year’s Eve bash. 

Tim’s partnership with Shakira remains his most successful. Last year, the band embarked on a world tour that was the subject of a documentary released in November. He is used to the cameras and knows exactly what to share and when, so he is very secretive about upcoming projects. What we know for sure, is that every morning Tim Mitchell will prepare for any musical adventure that comes his way. 

When asked what’s next, he responded “I just want to write more songs, and enjoy working, which I do. Wow, I am so lucky!”