Ignacio Berroa - Codes
Grammy Award winner and international drum star Ignacio Berroa has been recognized by many as one of the greatest drummers of our times. His numerous contributions to the American music scene have earned him a place among a very selective group of artists known to have set new musical trends for the 20th century.
Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie best defined Ignacio as:
...The only Latin drummer in the world, in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds; his native Afro-Cuban music as well as Jazz...
Ignacio Berroa was born in Havana Cuba on July 8,1953. Following his father's footsteps he began his musical education as a classical violinist.
He studied at the National School of Arts and subsequently at Havana's National Conservatory, beginning his professional career in 1970. By 1975 Ignacio Berroa had become Cuba's most sought after drummer.
After moving to New York in 1980 Ignacio met and had the privilege of working with musicians of the stature of Mario Bauza, among others. It was Mario who introduced him to the late Bebop master Dizzy Gillespie.
In August 1981 Dizzy officially invited Ignacio to join his quartet. Later he would also become an integral part of all the important bands Gillespie assembled during that decade, such as The Dizzy Gillespie's 70th Anniversary Big Band&, Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band& and the Grammy Award winner & United Nations Orchestra.
Ignacio has also conducted clinics and master classes all over the world and has recorded and played with musicians of the stature of McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Jackie Mc Lean, Clark Terry, James Moody, Milt Jackson, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Eddie Gomez, Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jon Faddis, Jack Bruce, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lalo Schifrin, Chico Bouarque, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Lenny Andrade, Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco, Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters Big Band, Carnegie Hall Big Band, Lincoln Center Orchestra, WDR Big Band and BBC Big Band, just to name a few.
Personnel: Ignacio Berroa: drums; Felipe Lamoglia: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; David Sanchez: tenor saxophone; Gonzalo Rubalcaba: synthesizers, acoustic piano; Ed Simon: acoustic piano; John Patitucci: acoustic bass; Armando Gola: acoustic bass, electric bass; Philbert Armenteros: vocals, percussion; Santiago Nani, Jorge Iglesias: percussion; Giovanni Hildalgo: congas.
