About Me
I'm a Mexican percussionist living and working in Poland for several years. I did my training in Mexico (Escuela Nacional de Musica), in Cuba, where I had the privilege of taking private lessons with Don Luis Chacón "Aspirina", and in London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the Drum Institute of Technology. I studied basically the Afro-Cuban traditional way of playing, specialising in Conga Drumming, Timbales, Bongos, and Bata. I've studied privately the African Djembe and Dun Dun drums. I also had the luck to spend some great times and lessons with my compadre and multi-percussionist Miguel Valdes in Mexico City.
I've performed and recorded with some of the most high profiled artists in this country, incluiding Kayah, Janusz Stoklosa, Justina Steczkowska, Edyta Bartosiewicz, Kasia Nosowska, The Pospiesalski Brothers, Paulina Pospiesalska, Kasia Kowalska, Rei Ceballo y Calle Sol, Son de Cuba, Rejs, Kora Ola Ola, Maciek Malenczuk,Transmisja, De Mono, DAAB,Urszula, KASA,100% Bawelny, Noche de Boleros,Tilt, Robert Chojnacski and many others. For eight years I performed and recorded with Maanam, arguably the most famous group here, playing hundreds of concerts, incluiding two tours sponsored by Radio Zet, "Wielka Majówka", who were attended by more than one million people.
I've recorded dozens of albums, some of which where nominated for the "Polish Grammys" Fryderiki, With Maanam as best Rock Band, Rei Ceballo and Calle Sol for the best Ethno Record for "Perro Volando", with 100% Bawelny and Drum Freaks for best Alternative CD, and for best group in the "Machina" Magazine Awards with the now legendary association Transmisja. Never won, but who gives a damn?For two years I worked in the "Teatr Dramatyczny", the play being "Powrót Odysa", under the direction of Krystian Lupa, which in 2001 won the award in the Opole Festival for best music. And yes, more to come. Eeeeepaa.
I've also done my homework playing to DJ's in well known venues in London (The Wag Club, The Borderline, Browns,Bar Escoba, Ministry of Sound, etc.)and all over Poland.
Paid my bills gigging a lot in Mexico the UK, France and Poland.(I wonder who reads this shit?) I'm currently working with the Timba Band Mili Morena y su Clave, the Rastadubarabfunkylatino project Sedativa and performing with my Bata Ensemble Odo Irawo,
as well as doing live and studio session work. Now if you're still with me, Hell, make a feast of what you got in your fridge.
I have been giving lessons in Afro Cuban percussion for more than ten years, and it is still a healthy source of income.
