2022 UNT Jazz Education Network (JEN) Program

IGNACIO BERROA
Guest performing with
ONE O’CLOCK LAB BAND
& JAZZ SINGERS
Grammy Award winner and international drum star, Ignacio Berroa, has
been recognized by many as one of the greatest drummers of our times.
Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie best defined Ignacio 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...”
Ignacio Berroa was born in Havana, Cuba. Following his
father’s footsteps, he began his musical education as a
classical violinist. After hearing albums by Nat King Cole
and Glenn Miller, he realized he wanted to play that
music and pursued his dream with a passion, taking
his first drum lesson at age 11. He studied at the Cuba
National School of Arts and subsequently at Havana’s
National Conservatory, beginning his professional
career in 1970.
After moving to New York in 1980, Ignacio met and had the
privilege of working with musicians of the stature of Mario
Bauza, among others. It was Mario who introduced him to the late
Bebop master Dizzy Gillespie. In 1981, Dizzy invited Ignacio to join his
quartet. He later would become an integral part of all the important bands
Gillespie assembled during that decade, such as “The Dizzy Gillespie’s
70th Anniversary Big Band”, “Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band” and the
GRAMMY Award winning “United Nations Orchestra”.
Ignacio has also conducted clinics and master classes across
the world and has recorded and played with musicians
of the stature of McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton
Marsalis, Jackie Mc Lean, Clark Terry, James Moody, Milt
Jackson, Ron Carter, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jon
Faddis, Jack Bruce, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente, Gonzalo
Rubalcaba, Lalo Schifrin, Slide Hampton’s Jazz Masters Big
Band, Carnegie Hall Big Band, Lincoln Center Orchestra, WDR
Big Band and BBC Big Band.