Born in Guantanamo, Cuba in 1968, Jose began his study of Afro-Cuban folkloric percussion in 1978, and joined ‘Danza Libre’ – an internationally acclaimed dance and percussion company in 1993.  His daily work with Danza Libre gave him valuable experience in both performance and teaching, and led to his recognition as a master percussionist.  He continued this work until he came to live permanently in England in 2005.  Danza Libre have performed and taught all over Cuba as well as internationally.

In 1998 he formed ‘Ara y Rawo’ - a ‘rhumba’ group of 10 performers which he managed until 2005.  ‘Ara y Rawo’ is Yoruba for ‘Land of Stars’.  The group performed regularly in cabaret and ran a weekly programme to promote rhumba to the young people of Cuba.

Jose first came with Danza Libre came to England in 2001 and toured all over the country, including the following:

They also ran percussion and dance workshops in many venues including Aylsham High School and Gresham’s Preparatory School, Norfolk.

 

In 2003 Jose returned to England as a solo artist.  He performed with Barak Schmool of the Royal Academy of Music for Radio 3 at the Womad festival and at other London venues.  He also accompanied Guillermo (El Iyawo) Davies – renowned folkloric dancer, also from Danza Libre, in a workshop and a carnival procession at Womad. 

He also began teaching professional percussionists, including Danny Howard,  Marcus Patterson and Jon Halls.  He coached Danny’s youth Salsa band and appeared at ‘The Talk’ Norwich.  He also made several guest appearances with the Lee Vasey Band, Anna Mudeka and the ‘Scoobs in Colombia’. 

He worked with Gary Newland  at Drum Camp and at 48 workshops in Norfolk schools, at the ‘Eden Project’, Cornwall, and with the famous Moudou Diouf from Senegal, at the ‘Royal Festival Hall’ and ‘Carnival de Pueblo with Guillermo Davies, and at the ‘Sun in the East’, Norwich.

 

Jose then returned to Cuba and spent the next 2 years touring and teaching all over the country including the ‘Danza de la Calle’, Havana and the ‘Teatro Prinzipal’ Baracoa.  He also formed a youth band in Guantanamo – ‘Talentoso de la Cabia’.

 

Since making his home in Norwich in 2005, Jose has worked with the following artists, companies and community groups:

 

 NEAD - over 20 percussion and dance workshops for Black History Month and Refugee Week. 

 

Sophie Wood (Community Dance worker) - dance and percussion workshops for the elderly and for Down’s syndrome adults.

 

Tin House (participatory arts organisation) - a week- long workshop for children in care at Hill End, Farmoor, Oxfordshire. Also ‘Sparks in the Park’, Norwich, and combined art, percussion and dance workshops.

 

‘Son Salsa’ (Norwich-based Salsa band) at the Arts Centre, Norwich, the University of East Anglia and several other venues

 

Langley Preparatory School – over a year of weekly salsa and bata lessons,

 

Dance Camp East – accompanying Lenys Rousiaux  (respected Cuban dancer) in mambo classes

 

Omar Puente and Yessica Liviesy (well-known Cuban violinist and dancer respectively) - at ‘London United’ (formerly the Respect festival)

 

Anna Mudeka (respected Zimbabwean dancer, drummer and singer) – all over Norwich, Suffolk and London with her traditional ensemble ‘Tambai’ and the ‘Anna Mudeka Big Band’.  Jose also works regularly with Anna running dance and percussion workshops. (See forthcoming events)

 

Lily Campbell (salsa and hip-hop teacher) - Jose and Lily run salsa workshops and perform all over Norfolk and nationally (see forthcoming events)