Good day folks!
Unfortunately, due to college exams I did not have sufficient time to do proper research during last week, thus delaying the publishing of this post.
Today I like to present you a very nice Afro Cuban percussionist from Venezuela.
Gerardo Rosales was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 6th 1964; He started studying piano at the age of 8, but was much more interested in playing the Congas and Bongos.
The dream came true when at 13 years of age (at 1977) Gerardo met Orlando Poleo, who suggested that Gerardo starts attending the Taller Del Arte in Caracas, studying Afro Cuban percussion; Gerardo did just that, studying Congas and Bongos playing with Poleo, Timbales under the guidance of Alberto Borregales, and later Venezuelan traditional percussion with Alexander Livinali, completing his formal education in 1985.
After finishing his formal studies, Gerardo started playing for various Afro Cuba, Jazz and Pop bands, including Maria Rivals, Alberto Naranjo, el Trabuco Venezolano and many others.
In 1992 Gerardo participated at the expo Sevilla in Spain with the “Caracas Son 7” band, more or less launching his international career; Gerardo recorded his 1st CD titled “Gerardo y su Salsa Pa’lante”, which became quite popular in Europe.
After that, in 1995, Gerardo participated in the “Bebo Rides Again” project of legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdez, together with Paquito De Rivera.
Starting 1996 Gerardo settled in Amsterdam, and went to perform and record all over Europe and many other locations worldwide, including Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and various places in Asia and north America.
Since that time Gerardo participated in many musical productions, releasing over a dozen CDs with various artists, including Son 14, Los Van Van, Adalberto Santiago, Jose Alberto “el canario”, Herman Olivera, Oscar De Leon and others.
The latest CD came out not such a long time ago, and is titled “Siguelo”, by Gerardo Rosales y el Combo Mundial.
Also, Gerardo’s music was used in several films, some even getting Oscar nominations.
The song I present you today, “Gira y Gira”, is a very nice Son Montuno from the “30 Aniversario” album, released in 2011.
Disfruten!