GINO CASTILLO | BUENA VISTA LEGACY BAND "THE SHOWCASE" | CUBANARAMA | 6-6-2021

Guest: Gino Castillo

Gino is an Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist, and singer.

We’ll be discussing his newest project- Buena Vista Legacy Band “ The Showcase”. Exploring the phenomenon of the Buena Vista Social Club, an album recorded by anonymous Cuban musicians in 1996 which led to documentaries with a large cult following.

His background includes an honorary degree in percussion teaching from George Gershwin Conservatory (Ecuador), a degree in percussion studies from the Caturla Conservatory and the Felix Varela Conservatory, and many private lessons, included studies with Cuban artist Oscar Valdes (Cuba).

Gino has served as the head Percussion teacher for the “Instituto de Musica Contemporanea” from Universidad San Fransisco de Quito and which is part of the Berklee College of Music Network. He also owns the “Centro de Percusion Latina Gino Castillo” which is part of the George Gershwin Conservatory in Quito, Ecuador, where he has been developing a modern method of learning based on his many years as a musician and teacher. Since year 2003 Gino has maintained his cymbals sponsor with Sabian, becoming the first Ecuadorian musician to be sponsored by a worldwide brand.

He has collaborated with many international artists, such as: Etienne Charles, Earl Klugh, Ray Parker Jr, Horacio el Negro Hernández , Charleston Jazz Orchestra , Jose Pepito Gomez, John Benítez, Pascoal Meirelles,, Paulo Moura, , Alex Alvear , Oscarito Valdés, David Lee, Jessy J, André Neiva, Zacai Curtis, Rafael Paceiro, Emilio Morales, Frank Rubio, Ymelda Marie-Louisa , Cruks en Karnak, Juan Fernando Velasco, Carmen González, and more.