About Me
Grammy award winner, RAUL PINEDA, was born in Havana, Cuba. As a child, when Raul's pianist and composer grandfather realized his potential, he immediately enrolled Raul in the Alejandro Garcia Caturla Music Conservatory. There, he studied classical percussion, but his most influential foundation in learning afro-cuban rhythms came from the streets of Havana Vieja from the old rumberos. He continued his musical education at The Ignacio Cervantes School for Professional Development.
By 19 years old, his reputation for his combination of speed, accuracy, imagination, and precise technique were already amazing anyone and everyone who saw him play. It was in this same year that he began his professional career with the group "Sintesis", with whom he was played and recorded for 6 years.
In 1996, he made a world-renowned educational video entitled, "The Drumset Artists of Cuba" that has been distributed in many countries for the purpose of exhibiting the unique flavor of percussion that can only come from those who were educated in this musically rich culture.
In 1997, he was recruited by Chucho Valdes to be a part of his newly formed quartet. In 1999, while with Chucho, Raul played in the "Latin Jazz All Star" Tour alongside Michel Camilo, Giovanni Hidalgo, Roberto Vizcaino, Claudio Roditti, Juan Pablo Torres, and many other musical greats. While playing with Chucho, Raul recorded 3 Grammy-nominated albums, including the 2000 Grammy winning album for Best Latin Jazz Album, "Live At The Village Vanguard". While with Sintesis and Chucho, Raul continued to tour globally, playing in all of the major jazz festivals around the world. He also traveled extensively as a clinician, teaching afro-cuban rhythms to percussionists worldwide. In 2001, Raul relocated to the United States and made his home in Los Angeles, CA. Currently, he plays independently with many different artists within many different genres, where he integrates his afro-cuban rhythms and rumba roots into various styles of music.
During the years, Raul has had the opportunity to share the stage with and/or tour with many world-renowned artists, some of which include: Michel Camilo, Chucho Valdes, Irakere, Giovanni Hidalgo, Changuito, Claudio Roditi, Jimmy Haslip, Tata Guines, Juan Pablo Torres, Bamboleo Band, Miguel Anga Diaz, David Sanchez, David Garfield, Jesus Diaz Y Su QBA, Oskar Cartaya and The Enclave, Mark Antoine, Jane Bunnet and The Spirit of Havana, Arturo Sandoval, Andre Manga and Dumazz, Arthur Hanlon, Nestor Torres, Alvaro Torres, Juan Gabriel, Nachito Herrera and the Bembe Band, Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca, DrumJungle, Chuchito Valdes, and many more......
Raul Pineda is currently endorsed by: DW drums, Zildjian cymbals, Gon Bops percussion, Regal Tip drumsticks, Remo heads and Audix microphones.
He also teaches at Cal State University, Los Angeles.
