After training in Pinar del Rio and later in Havana’s musical conservatories (1991) Julio started his artistic career with the renowned singer and multi-instrument player Bobby Carcassés. Later he joined Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, however, Julito really made his name as a member of Chucho Valdes’ Irakere. Julito Padrón, is right now widely recognised in the world as one of the most promisi
ng jazz musicians coming out of Cuba. After making his debut with IRAKERE, Julito started developing his own repertoire and assembling his own group. An alumni of the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Padrón anchors his art in the Cuban musical tradition. His professional career includes working with masters Ignacio Piñeiro and Adalberto Alvarez. As outside influences, Julio Padrón acknowledges American jazz and Brazilian music. His first Album "Descarga Santa" (2000 - Real Rhythm) “Julio Padrón, y los amigos de Santa Amalia” was a real highlight in the Cuban music scene. His second Album, Buenas Noticias" (2001 - Sunnyside) was featured in two leading jazz magazines accredited with four stars. This album fuses the unique rhythm Mozambique, Cha cha cha and also some Afro-Cuban rumba elements. His third album “Caridad” is inspired in memories of travelling while on tour with main rhythms on the album being Danzon and Son predominately. Throughout his career Julito has collaborated on many album productions in Cuba and has toured around world: Here are just a few:
Enrique Alvarez y su Charanga Latina - Para mi santo (1998)
Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro - Soneros de Cuba (2000)
Pupy y los que Son Son - De la Timba a Pogolotti (2001)
Buena Vista: the next generation (2002)
Giraldo Piloto & Klimax - Klimax and Friends (2002)
Cesar Pedroso - Timba: The new generation of latin music (2002)
Bobby Carcasses - Jazz Timbero (2002)
Afro Cuban Jazz Project - Puerto Padre: Tributo a Emiliano Salvador (2005)
Anga - Echu Mingua (2006)
Chucho Valdés - Tumi Sessions (2008)
Gilles Peterson - Havana Cultura: New Cuba Sound (2009)
Osvaldo Chacon - Salsa timba cubana (2008)
Julio Padrón has been touring all of Europe since 2002 with various musicians of the calibre of Arístides Soto (Tata Güines), José Luis Quintana (Changuito), lead by Rodolfo Chacón. He has also toured the USA with Juan de Marcos González ( Afro Cuban All Stars) and with Chucho Valdés at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York and with Count Base with the late timbales maestro Tito Puente. Not to know Julio Enrique Padrón as one of the leaders in the Cuban musical scene is almost a crime. Not in vain Carlos Alfonso, director of the emblematic band Síntesis, calls him a “Showman”
Julito is considered a tremendous trumpet player, and nevertheless he is far away of being or becoming a pretentious man, those who look all the time over the shoulder. He is an artist and also spontaneous and playful person, charismatic and charming. Julito´s performances in first place have to do with his way to involve audience on whatever is happening on the stage. He truly connects with people and give them a meaningful and magical moment. Julito’s special guests are music students, freshly graduated that barely start their live career. Anytime, anywhere favours for young potential; in other words, ordinary guys with great chances of becoming someday the next Chucho Valdés, Charlie Parker, Rita Montaner. Lately Julito has been touring with the Cuban Band “interactivo”. Currently is musical director in “Vamos Cuba!” a new Sadler’s Wells Production created by the team behind the smash-hit dance show Havana Rakatan, which has been seen by more than 200,000 people. The high-energy production includes salsa, mambo, rumba, cha-cha-cha and reggae ton.
15/01/2024
