RAY GUZMAN

PERCUSSION

Rafael Guzman Jr. started his percussion career playing in his father’s combo band and at church at the age of nine. Rafael has toured throughout the United States playing Latin jazz , salsa, jazz, funk, country western, and gospel. He has played with many Latin and jazz music artists, such as Arturo Sandoval, Humberto Ramirez, Steve Turre, Tito Allen, Pete “ El Conde “ Rodriguez, Ismael Miranda, Chuchito Valdez and countless others. He continues to record locally and nationally. Rafael has collaborated on percussion workshops and clinics with noted percussionist Giovanni Hilgado, Kenneth Melendez and the late Milton Cardona. Some of the local artists he performed with include Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Doug Johns, Kent State Jazz orchestra, Power City Horns, Sammy Deleon y su Orquesta, Papo Ruiz Orchestra, to name a few. Ray teaches percussion at the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland. Rafael has a masters degree in education: when he is not playing music he is teaching elementary students.