Elio Piedra Cuban Drummer
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."
The Life of Elio Piedra...
Elio Piedra began his career at the age of 10 at the Arts Conservatory Raul Sanchez in Cuba, specializing in percussion studies. From the age of 11 he got involved in the Jazz world and the fusion between Jazz, Rumba and Afro Cuban rhythms. He received musical influence from Hector Alonso, Benicio Lezcano, and Sergio M. Cardoso, whom created a strong classical base that prepared him for the future. At the age of 12 he began to participate in the most important music festivals in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, as well as in the national music festivals. When he was 15 years old he began his music studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Cuba, where he toured with the symphonic orchestra around the country. At the same time, he began to perform with the popular salsa group “El Cumbre”, with which he became a well recognized drummer. When performing with “El Cumbre” he had the opportunity to perform with important musicians such as “Aguaje”, who was the director of the group “Buena Vista Social Club”, Magno Bisoli, who is a well recognized Brazilian musician, among other guests from Belgium and Argentina.
He participated in the longest Rumba festival in the world at the age of 17, in which he performed as a timbales player. He also performed at the “Rancho Club Show” in Consolacion del Sur, Cuba, and accompanied many recognized singers (as drummer), such as Maria Antonia Loriga “La Mora”, Marielena Lazo. Participated in the very important musical project “Internos La Musica” sponsored and directed by Luis Angel Sanches, who is the bass player for Pablo Milanes. Performed with the group “Sonora”, directed by Lazaro Reyes, as well as with the popular salsa group “Prisma” by Ricardo Perez, who is a recognized Jazz guitar player who lives in Germany. Furthermore, at the age of 17 performed as a guest in the “Fiesta del tambor” (known as Havana Drums Festival), a percussion festival. During his last year at the conservatory he performed in the “Jojazz”, which is the international Jazz festival sponsored by Chucho Valdez, from which he was selected to play with the famous musician Bobby Carcaces, as well as to record television programs and interviews. From the previous performance it was created a group called “Primera Mano”, with which he recorded an album called “Fantasia”. This group focused on the fusion between the Latin Jazz and popular salsa rhythms. With “Primera Mano” he had the opportunity to collaborate with the famous Adel Gonzales, congas player for “Buena Vista Social Club” and Irakere; he also had the opportunity to play with “El Macri”, the singer of AfroCuban All Stars, among other important musicians. He interacted with the “Bamboleo” orchestra, and the group “Klimax en la Capital” in Havana, Cuba. When he was 19 years old he recorded a music video with a pop group directed by Yoyo Ibarra. This music video was nominated for the “Premios Lucas” festival in Havana, Cuba.
He arrived in the United States with 20 years old and almost immediately performed with Marielena Lazo at a concert in Solares Garden, Miami. In this concert he performed with recognized musicians, including Pancho Cepedes’ band, Manolin”El Medico de la Salsa” ‘s musicians, and directed by the pianist Arronte. He decided to continue his career in the city of Gainesville, FL, where he is immediately asked to play with the Latin band, “Tropix”, in which he has performed Latin styles such as salsa, merengue, bachata, son, and Latin jazz. In Gainesville, he has performed with recognized musicians such as Gosia, Ali Che Ree, Karl Wainsmantel, Ekendra Das, Latin percussion artist Marty Liquori (famous Jazz musician), sax player Bem Champion, Vic Donnel, Geoffrey Perry, and Scott Wilson. The above mentioned musicians all belong to the recognized “Friends of Jazz” institution. Moreover, Elio Piedra has performed in several restaurants with his own musical project called “Ondulando”, in which he performs with the recognized singer Laura Porras (performed in the television channels Univision, Telemundo, and across the city of Miami). With “Ondulando” he has performed and developed as a singer, congas and bongos player, pianist, and drummer. “Ondulando” has performed at Sabore Restaurant, Emiliano’s Cafe, Jazz Club Leonardo’s 706,101 Downtown club,Napolatanos,Vine Gainesville, and has been invited to present Master classes at Guitar Center (where he began working in 2014), where he has developed as a drums’ instructor. He has also participated as a drummer in important events at the University of Florida, such as a performance at the UF President’s house. Furthermore, he performed for the major of the city of Jacksonville with Tropix, and played at the blues’ club “Dirty’s Bar”, played at “the Jam” club with Calvin Bond, Antonio Lincon and Scott Wilson. He recorded several drums’ performance DVDs, one of which he recorded with the Former Backstreet Boys drummer, current Trace Lawrence drummer, and Pearl Artist, Tom Hurst. In the DVDs he presented his knowledge of different percussion styles.Elio become part of the Chris McCarty'sBand as a drummer and started performing severals times at Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa Bay,Jacksonville,Gainesville,Orlando,and the Clearwater area in Tampa fl,also he is playing with the Scott Wilson (played for Steve Wonder)Jazz quintet at101 Downtown Club.Elio performed at Namm Show 2015 with musicians and drummers like Alex Acuna,Calixto Oviedo,Jesus Diaz,Eliel Lazo as a special guest from Soultone Cymbals his cymbals endorsement,also he is endors with Gon Bops percussion,Innovative percussion"sticks" and Ancient Tree"snare drums endorsement".
He currently remains a drums instructor at Ancient Rhythms Drum Shop in Gainesville Florida, as well as a private piano, percussion, and drums instructor. He continues to play with Tropix, Geoffrey Perry, Scott Wilson among others. He remains playing in the world of Jazz, and has been asked to perform with “Chuchito” Valdes Award Latin Grammy Winner 2015 at the Historic Thomas Center,also at Spring Arts Festival severals times. He has been invited to perform at the “Friends of Jazz” music festival and continues to present Master classes as part of his Drums Clinic Tour 2015 in Washintong DC,Atlanta,Tampa,Miami,Gainesville,Puerto Rico,Cuba,etc. He will be collaborating with the famous congas player Gumbi Ortiz,Amaurys Lopez Jackson(producer of the Kc and the Sunshine Band,Marc anthony,Thalia ,Alegrandra Guzman,Tito Nieves,among others.Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez (jazz trumpet player), Mayito Rivera from the famous Cuban orchestra “Los Van Van”,Ramon Vasquez bass player , producer from Puerto Rico and president of the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival.