CARIBICA
Currently resides in Bloomingdale, Illinois. I started playing the drums at age 12 when Jose and some friends would jam in the basement to Zeppelin, the Eagles, Bad Company and Santana. At the age of 20, I started playing Latin rock with a Santana tribute band known as Moonflower. At that time I played Timbales, hand percussion and a little of the congas instead of the drums. Joining the military (USMC) and raising a family didn't leave any time for the drums. After reuniting with Jose, I went to watch what was then Grupo Amigo, perform. The rest is history. I don't discriminate against any form of music. A wide range of music has inspired me from my Cuban roots of Son, Guaracha, Guaguanco, from Latin rock to 70's rock, pop, disco. 
I was born and raised in Chicago. I started playing bass guitar when I was 13 years old and never let it go since. My brother Willie, who played in a group called 25th hour, would leave has guitar lying around and I would turn on the radio and follow the bass patterns ofthe songs. I joined my first group when I entered High School. I began playing rock and roll and later played with a Mexican group, a soul group, a disco group, a Latin Jazz group and finally, various Salsa groups. I enjoy playing Latin rhythms and the oldies that are classics. The groups that inspired me were The Rolling Stones, Santana, Chicago and Chase. As far as Latin groups, it was The Fania All Star and the legend, Gran Combo.I have always liked playing in a smaller group because in my opinion, it is easier to maintain the same mind frame between all members. In a larger group static begins growing with time.I believe that Caribica has the right click due to the past history of every one of our members. By playing all typesof music, we have been able to please both the audience and satisfy ourselves.(back to top)
Born and raised in Chicago and now residing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois I moved to Puerto Rico when I was 15. I began playing 
music on a pair of shiny blue metallic bongos that I received as a present from my big brother and Caribica bass player Anjer. I would go in my room, blast the music and hit them like a mad man to tunes from all of the salsa greats and any song that I could follow. I really began refining my beats when I moved to Puerto Rico. There I found myself jamming in a nearby carport (garages are rare in Puerto Rico) with friends where full percussion of timbales, congas, and bongos are the norm. When I moved back to Chicago at 18, I began playing with salsa bands for the next 12 years playing weddings, banquets, and fests including the Petrillo Shell in Grant Park. I then took a hiatus to fully enjoy family life, which is when I taught myself the keyboard to keep the music in me. I began playing music again, but this time with a full set of drums with a local band in Elk Grove which gave me a real appreciation for the work that drummers do back there (that's a plug for you Carlos!) and now I’m back to percussion and loving it. There is no better way for me to express myself than through music and it keeps me balanced. Caribica also gives me the opportunity to play all of the music that is a part of me. Salsa, Jazz, Oldies, and Rock all fall into the categories of music that I really like. There are so many bands out there that have done great stuff, and there is not much that I don’t like. Some of my favorites in salsa are Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, and Celia Cruz. In jazz it's Michel Camilo and Charlie Parker. Other influences are Chicago, the Doobie Brothers and of course Santana.
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Growing up in Cuba, I started getting into music at a very young age. My inspiration was Son Montuno, Old Cuban Folk Music. I remember local bands competing in talent shows playing Beatle’s music. I fell in love with the sound and from that day on, I knew that one day I would do the same. I got my first guitar after coming to this great country at the age of 12.I played with different people over the years until hooking up with what was Grupo Amigo. This is what I always wanted to do. Play different styles of music with no boarders - everything goes! The music CARIBICA plays is what I dreamed of playing while growing up in (Bahia Honda) Pinal Del Rio, Cuba. Groups that have inspired me are many. The Beatles, Benny More, Orquesta Aragon, the Eagles, Santana, Gran-Combo, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Bad Company, Elvis, Buena Vista Social Club, Bob Marley, Earth, Wind and Fire, CCR, Formula 5, Mana, La Ley, and many others.
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Born in Chicago, I grew up in Elk Grove Village, Illinois since the age of 11.
I started playing guitar at the age of 13 when my dad received an acoustic as a Christmas gift. For the last ten years, I have taught myself everything I know. My biggest inspirations were Elvis and the Beatles and they continue to inspire me still. I do, however, enjoy all styles of music. I never thought I would be in a band that plays Latin music, but I am and I love it! Watching the people dance to our music is what I enjoy most. During my down time, I enjoy reading books about dogs and have become quite knowledgeable. If you need help with your dog's behavior, I'm your man. My goal is to make a living from my music and hope to play in front of 50,000 screaming fans. Hey, I figure if you don't give it a shot, you'll never know what might have been.
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