Ramses Araya

Ramses Araya studied music with an emphasis in Clasical and Latin percussion instruments at the Conservatorio Castella in San Jose, Costa Rica and subsequently, as a member of the Youth Program of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica (1988). After that year, Araya got a scholarship to study Afro-Cuban percussion for two years at the Instituto Superior de Artes de la Habana (1989-1991). Upon his return to Costa Rica in 1991, Araya became one of the most in demand Latin percussionist in the local scene, he also became part of the most important music groups in Costa Rica. In the year 2000 Araya created “TIMBALEO Salsa Group”, as the Musical Director he leaded this orchestra, were he played the Timbales. Araya is member of Ruben Blades’ band. With this band he toured all over America and Europe. Araya participated on the GRAMMY Award-winning recording “TIEMPOS”, in the category of Best Latin Pop Performance and the Award-winning recording “MUNDO”, in the categories of Best Latin Pop Performance and Best World Music Album. Ramses Araya had won several international percussion contests like the “AFRO-CUBAN LATIN JAZZ COMPETITION” of the Thelonius Monk Institute and the Berkeley College of Music Scholarship Bonus.Araya was invited to the “TODOS LOS TAMBORES DEL MUNDO” festival in Venezuela, were he gave a Percussion Master Class. Araya had participated in several of the most important Music Festivals in the world, like the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles California, Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, La Villete Jazz Festival in France. Araya had played with world-class musicians like, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ignacio Berroa, luis Conte, Diego Urcola, Avishai Cohem, Dave Valentin, Victor Mendoza, Nestor Torres, Luis Muñoz, Jimmy Bosh, Ossi Melendez,Los Van Van, Marc Quiñones, Bobby Allende, Papo Luca, Grupo Irakere, Ralphy Irizarry,Strunz and Farah, Lalo Rodriguez, Mikey Taveras, Cano Estremera, Juan Gabriel,Jhoan Sebastian, Fanny Lu, Alvaro Torres, Lito Solanas, Daniela Mercury, Oloddum, Alejandro Lerner, Alkimia, Eric Rigler, Boca Libre, Nelson Gonzalez, Papo Luca, Bobby Valentin y Roberto Roena, Gustavo Ramirez, Raul Pineda, Ramon Stagnaro, Richard Cepeda, El Greco, Eddie Resto, Otmaro Ruiz, Carlos Arias, Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños del Son, Opa Opa, The Echo Park Project, among others. As a Flamenco percussionist he had work with world recognized Dancers like Teo Morca, Angel Atienza,Juan Polvillo and Celina Zambon, the legendary guitarist Victor Monge Serranito, Kai Narezo and the Flamenco Singer Jesus Montoya. In May 2006 Araya moved to Los Angeles California in 2006, were he performs as an independent Latin, Pop and Flamenco musician. www.ramsesaraya.com www.timbaleo.com or myspace.com/ramsesarayaytimbaleo