Jee Bear is a Dominican electronic music producer, DJ and promoter from Santo Domingo, recognized as a pivotal figure in the development of the country's modern tech-house and underground club circuit. A former rock drummer who transitioned to electronic music in the late 2000s, he co-founded Tanama Records in Punta Cana and built a prolific production catalogue that bridged the Dominican Republic with prominent European and Latin American dance labels.

Roots and transition from rock to electronic music

Born and raised in Santo Domingo, he began his musical development at an early age behind the drum kit, performing with local rock outfits and immersing himself in the rhythms of classic and psychedelic rock. His rhythmic background led him to explore disco, funk and eventually house music, starting his solo production journey in 2008. By 2011, performing under the initial moniker JCtheBear, he began DJing across Santo Domingo venues before establishing his definitive artistic identity as Jee Bear.

Tanama Records and the Punta Cana scene

Seeking to establish a platform for Caribbean electronic music, Jee Bear co-founded Tanama Records in Punta Cana alongside producer Lucien Le Grub. The imprint served as both a publishing home for groove-oriented tech-house and a live showcase brand through the Tanama Series at venues like Imagine Punta Cana. In parallel with his studio work, he operated as a promoter, booking international acts and fostering local Dominican selector talent.

Production partnerships and discography

Jee Bear developed major studio alliances with both local and international producers. With Lucien Le Grub, he produced a run of collaborative records including the Caripotawa EP in 2018, the My Language EP and Captain EP in 2019, and singles such as No Rush, Uhh Yeah, Cream and Need You. He also forged a recurring partnership with Spanish producer Sergio Parrado, releasing collaborative EPs such as La Humanidad and Take a Break, alongside works on labels including Yet! Records, Smiley Fingers, Brise Records and Play Groove.

Festival appearances

On stage, Jee Bear became a staple of major Dominican electronic gatherings, performing at multiple editions of the Meet! Festival in Punta Cana and appearing at venues such as High Room and Soles Chill Out Bar in Bávaro.

Selected releases and roles

• Co-founder, Tanama Records

• Caripotawa EP, with Lucien Le Grub, 2018

• My Language EP and Captain EP, with Lucien Le Grub, 2019

• La Humanidad, with Sergio Parrado

• Propaganda, with Sergio Bennett

• Need You, with Lucien Le Grub, 2022

Legacy

Jee Bear stands among the foundational producers who anchored the Dominican Republic's transition from an occasional destination for touring DJs into a self-sustaining production and label hub. His drummer-rooted percussion style and institution-building through Tanama Records helped create a lasting infrastructure for Dominican underground dance music.