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 Timbales player Tito de Gracia has a long list of recording and performing credits with major artists from the worlds of salsa and Latin jazz, including Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Ismael Miranda, Puerto Rico All Stars, Brenda K. Starr, Jerry Rivera, Andy Montanez, Dave Valentine, Nestor Torres, and George Benson. And in the coming months, the roster will become even more impressive as de Gracia appears on a new release with the giant of Latin music: Tito Puente.
As a kid in Puerto Rico, de Gracia's older brothers introduced him to the music of Nick Marrero, Mike Collazo, and Tito Puente. He began playing bongos when he was five, and by age 12 had become a percussionist with Los Chiquitines del Son ("The Kids of the Sound"), directed by Max Torres. Later, as a conguero, de Gracia was affiliated with Orquesta Panamericana, Robert Roena's Apollo Sound Orchestra, and Cano Estremera. Then in 1990, he joined Andy Montanez's orchestra, on timbales. His work hastaken him across the US, Latin American, Cuba, and Europe, with stops at such prestigious soundstages as Puerto Rico Fine Arts Center and Madison Square Garden. He is currently performing with Michael Stuart.
The first LP instruments that de Gracia's acquired were his LP Tito Puente Timbales. Overall, he says, he values LP's "reliability and terrific sound."
Equipment list: LP
Tito Puente Timbales, LP
Classic Congas (Tumbadora model), LP Generation II Bongos, various
cowbells and blocks
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