Ignacio Berroa

Ignacio Berroa (born July 8, 1953, in Havana, Cuba) is a jazz drummer.[1]

In 1980 Berroa left his country during the Mariel Boatlift, moved to New York and joined Dizzy Gillespie’s quartet[2] in 1981, becoming the drummer of the band Gillespie formed until his death in 1993.[3][4]

Berroa has been recognized by many as one of the greatest drummers of our time.[5] Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie best 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..."[6]

As an educator Berroa has conducted clinics and master classes all over the world. He also has created a video-teaching presentation "Afro-Cuban Jazz and Beyond", an overview of the development of Afro-Cuban music and its influence in jazz.[7] As an author he made his mark with the instructional video: Mastering the Art of Afro – Cuban Drumming as well as the books: Groovin’ in Clave and A New Way of Groovin’.[8]

His first album as a leader, Codes, released under Blue Note Records, was nominated for a Grammy in 2006.[9] Codes also won a Danish Music Award in 2007 as best International Jazz Album.[10] He was honored by inclusion in the 2011 Blue Note and Modern Drummer Release titled "Jazz Drumming Legends".[11] His album Heritage and Passion was recorded on 2014.[12]

Berroa has recorded and played with musicians of the stature of McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Michael Brecker, Milt Jackson, Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Tito Puente, Mario Bauzá, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco, Lenny Andrade, the Lincoln Center Orchestra, WDR Big Band and the BBC Big Band.[13]

  1. ^ "Ignacio Berroa". Musician Biographies. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  2. ^ Brown, Marisa. "Ignacio Berroa: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Ignacio Berroa, formerly Dizzy Gillespie's go-to drummer, swings into Seattle". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  4. ^ Considine, J. D. (January 7, 1993). "Jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie dead at 75". baltimoresun.com. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Drummer, Composer Ignacio Berroa". Latin Jazz Network. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Ignacio Berrora Havana Hot Head". Modern Drummer Magazine. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ "IGNACIO BERROA "AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ & BEYOND"". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ Feldman, Mark. "Groovin in Clave". BangtheDrumSchool. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Winners & Nominees". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Feb and March 2015" (PDF). Inside Nku. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Modern Drummer Magazine and Blue Note Records Present: Jazz Drumming Legends by Various Artists". 1 January 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  12. ^ Magazine, JAZZIZ (13 May 2015). "Ignacio Berroa". JAZZIZ Magazine. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Ignacio Berroa - Yamaha - United States". usa.yamaha.com. Retrieved 29 September 2021.