about jose marquez

life is rhythm, feel the beat!

 

I was born in Havana, Cuba. Cuba is the big island of the Caribbean, which is rich in tradition of creative music and where the Mambo, ChaChaCha and many other rhythms were created. These rhythms are now known and enjoyed around the world.

 

I studied and graduated at the Art Instructor School of Music in Havana. I studied with great musicians, such as Ignacio Berroa.

 

After graduating in 1968, I played with many bands across the entire country of Cuba. I developed technique and skills while performing bongos, congas, drums, bata, timbales, djiembé and all other native percussion instruments, like the guiro and chekere.

 

I enjoyed the neighborhood bands with the great Chucho Valdes and Arturo Sandoval.

 

In 1980 I arrived in New York. I had the privilege to play and share the stage with many great musicians. Among them were Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puenté, and other Latin bands at the Blue Note Village Gate and many other clubs and cabarets in the Big Apple.

 

To escape the cold weather up north, I moved to South Carolina where I enjoyed the great talents of Charlie Parker, Keith Davis, Sonny Thornton, Elliot Widopian and many others.

 

Now I am very happy to be a new arrival to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. I love it here. The weather, the scenery, the people are all great inspiration for playing music and enjoying life.

 

Jose Marquez