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Juan Pablo Carletti

About Me

Juan Pablo Carletti was born in May of 1973 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father played percussion and his mother listened to R&B all the time. Juan began studying drums with Fernando Martinez, Quintino Cinalli and Pepi Taveira, all famous drummers from Argentina. He performed with many bands and his main interest focused on improvised music and mainstream jazz. When Barry Alshchult visited Argentina, Carletti studied under him. Juan also played with many important musicians, including Argentine jazz elder Hernan Merlo and Lucio Balduini. The three worked together and released the CD Trio. They also started a small recording label dedicated to new music which later produced Enrique Norris’ solo piano album Logomaquia the following year. Juan has performed in all the jazz venues of Buenos Aires and he has performed with improvisers from around the world including Le Quan Ninh, Bohb Rainey and David Haney. Juan developed a close working relationship with percussionist and dancer Diego Chamy and has participated in collaborations with contemporary music composer Gabriel Paiuk. Juan has performed as a sideman and in opening jams with every major jazz musician in Buenos Aires including one of his mentor Enrique Norris.

In 2005 Juan traveled to New York to play with David Haney’s group in which one of his early heroes, fellow drummer Andrew Cyrille, plays. Juan took advantage of his stay and studied with Tim Berne, Mark Helias, Tom Rainey, Gerald Cleaver, Nasheet Waits, Mat Maneri and Tony Malaby. The former encouraged him to permanently relocate to NYC.

On returning to Buenos Aires in 2006, Juan performed with his newly formed groups which included Rodrigo Dominguez, Jeronimo Carmona and Paula Shocron. He also participated and recorded in the big electric combo Datrebil directed by guitar wizard Wenchi Lazo, Franco Fontanarrosa, and Lobi Meis.

Juan completed his move to NYC in November, 2006 and began playing with some of the most adventurous players on the scene. He is currently a student of renowned Randy Peterson.