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Rolando "Orishaman" Matias

Drummer, Composer, Percussionist & Ethnomusicologist

About Me

Rolando Matias: drums, percussion, composer and Ethnomusicologist-San Juan, Puerto Rico Multi-talented percussionist, Afro-Caribbean musicologist, Ethno-Foklorist and an accomplished harmonica player. Rolando has traveled the U.S. playing in a wide variety of groups, performing everything from the blues to Latin rock, and everything in between. A self-taught musician, Rolando, applied his formal training as an Architect into his musical education, seeking perfection, has sought out the greats during his travels in order to perfect his musical techniques as a percussionist, harmonica player and composer. Rolando started playing percussion at a young age in Cupey Alto, at the local “Bembes” of the neighborhood. “Bembe” is a gathering of “rumberos” jamming and improvising together. “We started with percussion grooves, pretty soon a trombone player joined in, a trumpeter and all of a sudden the place was kicking, it was a great scene.” Rolando has completed his musical education thru private education, along with music courses. He also advanced his studies as a Master Percussionist in Cuba/Puerto Rico under the tutelage of a number the finest master percussionists from Cuba and Puerto Rico. These studies completed Rolando's formal training as Percussionist on drums, hand drumming and ethnic percussion as well as a composer. His performances range from the playful to the passionate, making this powerful Puerto Rican presence a pleasure worth watching. Rolando has performed or recorded with the likes of 2007 Latin Grammy winner Brian Lynch, multi-Grammy winner David Sanchez, Chuchito Valdez, Benny Maupin, Patrice Rushen, Leon “Ndugu” Chadler, Azar Lawrence, Othello Molineaux,legendary pianist Eddy Martinez, violinist & trombonist Lew Kahn, legendary bassist Essiet Essit, “1 O'Clock Master” Antonio Orta, guitarist Mimmi Fox, percussionists: Bobby Matos, Bobby Sanabria, Bill Summers and Lenny Castro, bluesmen: Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater, Kenny Neal, Duke Robillard, Australian Dave Hole, Debbie Davies and Howard Scott and the World Band, the late great pianist from Cleveland Roberto Ocasio, Brazilian reedman Carlos Malta, the B-3 madman Ron Levy, Pam Williams, Horns: Pharez Whitted, Fania All-Stars Louis Kahn, Derek Gardner and Latin Grammy nominee Ray Vega, Los Hombres Calientes, guitarist Jim Savitt, Greg Abate, Aruan Ortiz, Jon Ozmet,Pepe Gonzalez, Hector Martignon, Greg Abate, Eddy Martinez, Andy Gonzalez, Adela Dalto, Kim Pencyl, The Navigators , the master of the spoken word the legenday Umar Hassan from The Last Poets among others. Rolando is endorsed by Meinl Percussion & Shine Drums. Rolando plays Custom Select-Copper Sparkle drums exclusively!

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because my father introduced me to the genre inadvertly...great record collection, not a musician, but a great record collection!! I was first exposed to jazz listening to my fathers record collection! I met Tito Puente at a clinic in San Juan at Casa Margarida!! The best show I ever attended was Art Ensemble of Chicago! The first jazz record I bought was The Other Road, Ray Barreto My advice to new listeners, to listen,keep your ears open and experiment!! Live outside the box!!