Ignacio Berroa
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...
Highly respected among his peers, Ignacio's musicianship and versatility have enabled him to build a successful career by gaining the recognition of some of the most important artists in the business.
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.
But his life changed the day he heard albums by Nat King Cole and Glenn Miller. It was then that he realized he wanted to play that music and pursued that dream with a passion, taking his first drum lesson at age 11.
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.
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Album Review
- Crossover by Mark Sullivan
- Straight Ahead From Havana by James Nadal