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LA-based percussionist and drummer Roland Gajate-Garcia (Rosalia, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder) congratulates LP for 60 years of passionate rhythm and shares his impressions of the brand’s enduring quality, reliability, and accessibility.

LP60

Episode 22: Roland Gajate-Garcia

A native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent (Nuyorican), Bobby Sanabria is a drummer, percussionist, composer, documentary producer, jazz radio host, and 40-year LP artist. Bobby shares how LP’s Afro-Cuban instruments filled a void in the early ‘60s and how the brand helped elevate the global profile of Latin music for the past six decades.

Episode 21: Bobby Sanabria

LA-based percussionist Brian Kilgore has been playing LP instruments since 1980. After breaking through with Tina Marie in the mid-1980s, he has gone on to appear on an incredible number of studio recordings, from Aerosmith to soundtracks for many Hollywood blockbusters. Hear more of his career journey and how LP instruments have helped him share diverse rhythms with audiences everywhere.

Episode 20: Brian Kilgore

In 1972, master percussionist, producer, and educator Jimmy Delgado (Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco) started his percussion journey under the tutelage of another longtime LP artist, Nicky Marrero. An LP artist since 1977, Jimmy shares his gratitude for the LP family and community.

Episode 19: Jimmy Delgado

Colombian-born and LA-based percussionist and LP artist Clodomiro Montes (Colombian Latin Soul) was raised in a musical family. After getting his start on timbales, he went on to master several instruments and toured the world playing festivals like Glastonbury, Womex, and SXSW. Hear how his musical upbringing bonded him to Latin Percussion, how LP instruments became vital to his act, and how the brand is synonymous with rhythm to him.

Episode 18: Clodomiro Montes

Renowned percussionist, drummer, and educator Richie Gajate-Garcia (Phil Collins, Diana Ross) has been an LP artist for over 40 years. Taught by his father as a teen in Puerto Rico and inspired by Tito Puente, Richie pursued percussion in college and has had a successful career on tour, in studio, and in the classroom. Hear Richie’s story and what the LP brand means to him.

Episode 17: Richie Gajate Garcia

Cuban-born and New York City-based percussionist, composer, and educator Ivan Llanes aspired to be part of the LP family his whole childhood. Now a decade into his tenure on the LP roster, Ivan shares his deep admiration for his fellow LP artists and how he feels music and community are vehicles to share life experiences.

Episode 16: Ivan Llanes

LA-based multi-instrumentalist and LP artist Pete Korpela is a working percussionist who has recorded with film and TV composers like Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer and has also toured with vocalist Josh Groban. Along his musical journey, Pete shares how LP instruments symbolize commitment and deliver quality performances that satisfy producers and engineers session after session.

Episode 15: Pete Korpela

Thirty-year LP artist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator George Delgado has played with legends like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Eddie Palmieri. From the community of his childhood to his career in the arts and education, George shares how LP has been an inspiring presence and reliable partner throughout.

Episode 14: George Delgado

Cuban-born and LA-based percussionist and LP artist Daniel Rodriguez (Brothers Johnson, Arturo Sandoval, Sheila E) shares his affection for LP and how the brand offers multi-generational inspiration to upcoming players, while equipping working artists with high-quality instruments.

Episode 13: Daniel Rodriguez

Multi-genre percussionist, drummer, and educator Marcos Lopez (Marc Anthony) shares how Latin Percussion helps unify musicians and cultures everywhere. Visible on corners and in gathering spaces in major cities around the globe, LP instruments foster an instant connection for perfect strangers through a shared passion for great music and quality instruments.

Episode 12: Marcos Lopez

Percussionist, composer, and LP artist Kevin Ricard (Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood) plays a wide range of LP hand percussion instruments and musical styles. In addition to representing quality, Kevin shares how LP instruments amplify culture, community, and connection in traditional and popular music.

Episode 11: Kevin Ricard

Percussionist, educator, and LP artist Nicholas “Nicky” Marrero performed and toured with the Fania All-Stars and played with legendary names like Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente. Over his career, Nicky had a front row seat to the global expansion of Latin music and culture throughout the music industry and all over the world.

Episode 10: Nicky Marrero

For 30-plus years Karl Perazzo (Santana) has been an LP artist, but he’s played LP all his life. Karl shares what Latin Percussion means to him from the roster of legendary artists who inspired his rhythm from a young age, the instruments that fueled his journey to a successful percussion career, and the sense of gratitude he carries with him.

Episode 9: Karl Perazzo

Legendary LP artist, Giovanni Hidalgo, describes how LP has become family to him over his 40-plus years with the brand. One of the most innovative and renowned conga players in the world, Giovanni gives insight on how LP’s shared values and special relationship with the Latin community makes LP one of a kind in percussion.

Episode 8: Giovanni Hidalgo

Longtime friend of LP,  Kárenly Michelle, shares the vital cultural importance that music and rhythm hold in her Puerto Rican hometown. Furthermore, Kárenly shares how the LP brand helps foster a sense of joy, connection, and expression in communities like hers in Latin American and beyond.

Episode 7: Kárenly Michelle

Hear the incredible journey of powerhouse, GRAMMY-nominated percussionist Pedro ‘Pedrito’ Martinez, who made his way from Cuba to Thelonious Monk Competition winner in 1998 to LP artist in 2000. Sixty years ago, LP was founded on the inspiration provided by passionate artists like Pedrito, who play LP instruments to inspire audiences and helped build LP into a global brand.

Episode 6: Pedrito Martinez

Rock session drummer extraordinaire Anton Fig shares how Latin Percussion’s commitment to quality and innovation have enabled the brand to transcend culture and musical genres for over 60 years. Whatever their intended purpose, Anton also describes how LP instruments always find a place in performance.

Episode 5: Anton Fig

Legendary percussionist and bandleader Eddie Montalvo (Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades) has been an LP artist since 1976. Over nearly five decades with the brand, Eddie shares his view of LP’s impact through the brand’s universal presence and appeal, while bringing Latin music and culture to the masses.

Episode 3: Eddie Montalvo

Percussionist ‘Little’ Johnny Rivero shares how LP instruments enhanced his earliest performances and how he became friends with LP founder Martin Cohen in the early ‘70s. An LP artist since 1978, Johnny associates the LP brand with a dedication to community, culture, and passionate pursuit of rhythm.

Episode 4: ‘Little’ Johnny Rivero

LP founder Martin Cohen shares his lifelong journey with Latin Percussion starting with his exit from corporate life to the legendary artists he met in New York City’s Latin jazz scene to getting his start making instruments to expanding the business worldwide. Over the last 60 years, it’s clear that Martin’s passion, relationships, and tireless innovation made LP the global percussion brand it is today.

Episode 2: Martin Cohen

Countless legendary artists helped LP get started, but arguably none played a bigger role than John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez. Hear Dandy speak about meeting LP founder Martin Cohen in the early ‘60s, consulting on LP’s earliest instruments, and the bongos made in his name for LP’s 60th.

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Partners in Greatness

Episode 22: Roland Gajate-Garcia

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