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Carlos Maldonado

About Me

Multi-Percussionist,Arranger and Composer born and raised in Carolina,Puerto Rico.Carlos is a talented young musician who stands out brilliantly in the music world as a hand percussionist,vibraphonist and drummer.Mr. Maldonado acquired his B.M. in Symphonic Percussion from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory and his M.A. in Jazz Arranging and Performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music in New York.

He began playing timbales at age of 12 talent inherited from his father who was a salsa “timbalero” in the 70’s. At age 14 he started doing his first gigs with masterful “sonero” Cano Estremera, World music band “Millo Torres y El Tercer Planeta”, Plena Libre and salsa band “La PVC”. His formal musical education began at age 15 at the School of Arts in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Carlos big break came with superstar Victor Manuelle in a stint that last for 5 years giving him the opportunity to travel all around the world and perform in many prestigious platforms as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and the 2007 Latin Grammy’s CBS T.V. Broadcast for 6.2 millions of viewers.

During his career Mr.Maldonado have been blessed with the opportunity of sharing stage with international artist and orchestras from many different genres such as : Eddie Palmieri, David Sanchez, Alex Acuña, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter, Justo Almario, Ray Vega, Steve Khan, John Benitez Group, Christos Rafalides, La India, Nestor Torres, Chris Washburne Syotos, Ray Santos, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Pleneros de la 21, Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, Bronx Art Ensemble, Gary Morgan‘s Panamericana, Giovanni Hidalgo, William Cepeda , Andy and Jerry Gonzalez, Gilberto SantaRosa, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, Cuco Peña, Jose Lugo y Guasabara, Orq.Mulenze, Orq. Olivencia, Segio George, Fabio Morguera, Oscar Cartaya Enclave, Zaccai Curtis , Mario Ortiz BigBand, Rey Ruiz,Tony Vega, Jerry Medina, Isidro Infante, Mayito Rivera, Gian Marco, Bobby Valentin, Millie Quezada and many other great artist.

Since arriving to New York in 2009 ,Carlos Maldonado became a band member of the legendary Afro-Rican jazz ensemble of composer/trombonist Papo Vazquez and The Pirate Troubadours.In recent years Carlos also has won acknowledgment for his work as an musical arranger an composer for various musical settings in NYC. Recently Mr. Maldonado join the prestigious Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra of Arturo O’Farrill that have home at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club.He is also an exclusive artist for Meinl Percussion and Meinl Cymbals since 2003.