Joan Velez

Biography

Joan Velez is a artist with a passion for jazz and latin music he have a unique big, sensual and very percussive signature sound, his music is a new refreshing Experience.

Joan Velez is an artist with a passion for jazz and latin music, he has a unique, big, sensual, and very percussive signature sound, his music is a new refreshing Experience. Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Velez began playing drums at age 11 before migrating to Tenor Saxophone one year later. While a student at the prestigious La Escuela Libre de Música in Arecibo he started listening to artist like: Nelson Rangell, David Sanborn, Miles Davis, Ed Calle, Kirk Whalum, Grover Washington, Euge Groove, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, and Paquito D’ Rivera which had the greatest impact on his playing. In 1996 enrolled at the Universidad de Interamericana de Puerto Rico with a major in jazz performance under the great teachers Ricardo Pons and Angel David Matos. In 2000, Joan Velez received the Berklee College of Music “Outstanding Musicianship” Certificate. He has performed in jazz festivals and he has shared the stage witt jazz artists such as Mike Arroyo, Angel David Matos, Ricardo Pons, Nidya Caro, Luis Perico Ortiz, Raymond Rousseu, Jimmy Rivera, Travis Vega, Glen Monroig, Chris Zamora, Nick Schneider, Bruce Oscar, Rodney Reed Zawacki, Robin Watson, Ken Champion and others. He continues to perform regularly with his own band The Velez Brothers. Joan Velez has 2 solo records under his belt (”Everything I Love” & “Up Side Down”) becoming one of the raising stars in the smooth Jazz world.In 2005 he moved to Chicago for a warm reception from critics, music lovers and fellow artists, as he continues to push his style and sound. He continues to perform regularly with his Brother Cristian.