GIOVANNI HIDALGO
Genres: Latin Jazz, World Fusion • Puerto Rico

Giovanni Hidalgo (born March 9, 1963, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) - percussionist. Giovanni received his primary education in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. His father and grandfather had been musicians and he was raised in a household surrounded by drums, bongos, congas and timbales. When he was eight he received a conga for his birthday which had been hand made by his father. As a young child he practiced and developed his speed and playing skills on the conga and on the other instruments in his house. He would drum a tune with sticks and then play the same tune with his hands. Giovanni's break came when he auditioned and was hired by the Batacumbele Band in 1980. In 1981, he traveled with the band to Cuba where he met a musician by the name of Changuito. Together they were able to create a unique style of read more...