Ignacio Berroa (b-1953)
Ignacio Berroa has played and recorded with McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker, Jaco Pastorious, Tito Puente, Gonzalo Rubalacaba and many more. When I was in South Florida I arranged to take a private lesson with him. (1996) I attended a concert with Dizzy Gillespie, but it was rained out.
In 2020, he performed in Orlando with his group at a local venue. He’s an amazing drummer with his own sound and style. Originally from Havana, Cuba he knows the tradition. Dizzy Gillespie defined Berroa 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.
Ignacio Berroa’s DCI Music Video was one of the first Afro-Cuban educational videos for drumset. Its title is “Mastering the Art of Afro-Cuban Drumming” It’s an amazing performance and educational tool. His band includes John Benitez-Bass, Giovanni Hidalgo-congas, Danilo Perez-piano and David Sanchez-sax. Special guest is Jose Luis Quintana.
There are several videos on Youtube. Everything with Ignacio is a gem.
When I heard him in Orlando (2020) he had a Bospherous flat ride cymbal that was the holy grail of flat rides. I talked to Ignacio about meeting him and having a lesson. He was very cordial.
I heard him play several jazz standards that evening that he has reinvented. I love that concept of the tradition, with new forms. I can’t say enough about Ignacio Berroa. He is a master of the drumset.