Angelo Velasquez

Angelo Velasquez is a proud Los Angeles based Jazz drummer, composer, and band leader. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge Jazz Department, the 2021 Downbeat winner for best composition, and the Disney scholarship winner at Cal arts where he received his MFA in jazz performance. The leader of “YOCOYA”, Angelo blends, musical styles from all over the world with jazz, in both his playing and compositions to create a powerful, unifying, and emotional musical experience. Angelo has performed with the likes of Dontae Winslow, Logan Richardson, Luis Conte, Sasha Berliner, Nick Mancini, Steve Lehman, Larry Koonse, Alphonso Johnson, Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron , Brian Scanlon, Ira Nepus, Gary Pratt, Bob Sheppard, Bobby Shew, and John Daversa. Angelo has performed at many prestigious Jazz Festivals and Musical events such as The Newport Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Greek Theater, and most recently The Jazz at Lincoln Center. Angelo has also performed with popular rapper IDK, Comedian Dave Chapelle, Grammy nominated artists Monnize Wolf, and Luis Villegas, as well as international touring PBS acts such as Benise, and Kamran and Hooman

Awards

• ●  2021-2023, Roy O Disney Scholarship, California Institute of the Arts

• ●  2020- Winner, Best Small Group Composition, Downbeat Magazine

• ●  2017-2020, Herb Alpert Scholarship, California State University Northridge

• ●  2016- Bill Green Jazz Mentor Scholarship, Los Angeles Jazz Society

• ●  2016- Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors Scholarship, Berklee College of Music

• ●  2016- 1st place Winner, Ventura County Rising Stars Jazz Competition, Ventura County Arts Council

Gear

DW Drums

Tags