Drummer, composer, arranger and producer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez has been a driving force behind some of the most popular and influential Latin and Latin-fused music of the past two decades. Since leaving Cuba in 1990 his drumming has propelled the efforts of Grammy Award winners Michel Camilo, Roy Hargrove, Chucho Valdes, Gary Burton, Alejandro Sanz and Carlos Santana, as well as Paquito D’Rivera and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Hernandez is identified by his unique “Latin Fusion” style, melding the folkloric clave with the fierce punch, crisp snap and deep grooves of today’s Jazz, Pop, and Rock.

Hernandez first gained international recognition as drummer for the legendary pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and his band, Proyecto. Once in the US, Hernandez – known internationally simply as “El Negro” – began contributing to some of the most extraordinary performances of the era, both live and in studio releases. Carlos Santana’s Supernatural (1999), a nine Grammy Award winner; Alejandro Sanz’ No Es Lo Mismo (2003), winner of four Grammy awards; Eddie Palmieri’s Listen Here! (2005); Gary Burton’s For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal (2001) all bear the stamp of El Negro’s percussion artistry. His own awards include a shared Grammy with Crisol, Roy Hargrove’s band on Habana (1997), as well as a Grammy for the 2003 Live at the Blue Note, with Michel Camilo on piano and Charles Flores on bass. - Read More

NAMM

Below is Horacio’s current kit and Damon demo-ing the MT box, Cajon by LP in conjunction with (friend of the show) Mona Tavakoli.

A&F drums came out with new hardware (above) including a mount to convert your kit into a cocktail kit.

They also came out with a bolero snare (below). That is a nickel over brass drum with multiple throw offs. Next to the bolero snare is the Dial Tune Snare (similar to the Welch tuning system mentioned after PASIC). Next to the Dial Tune snares are some effects by Turkish Cymbals. They are small cymbal type discs attached by a chain that can be used similar to wind chimes or placed on a cymbal or drum for more wash/trashy-ness.

Below you can see a custom creation by Trick Drums, Colortone heads by Remo and new cymbal designs by Sabian. They also had a technician hand hammering in the booth.

Above is the new cymbal vault by SKB cases. Deep enough for cymbals AND extra drum heads. (Zildjian also came out with a rolling cymbal case). Roland came out with a new acoustic electric drumset.

Below are studio monitors by Neumann (left) as well as Focal (right).

Above, you can see the new Presonus Quantum 2626 is perfect for drummers and percussionists who need multiple inputs (up to 8). Next to that, you can see the Allen & Heath Zed analog mixing boards, perfect for drummers and percussionists who want to mix themselves and send one channel (or if there aren’t enough inputs in the board). Low Boy Beaters have an assortment of beaters as well as drum key less attachments to be able to change out beaters quickly.

Below, Benny Greb has come out with a signature snare drum that features different types of muffling (Brian Frasier-Moore also has a new signature snare with Pearl).

Also the Junk Hats by Baldman Percussion.

Above, Tru Tuner and their multiple effects, including the drum dampners with shaker and tambourine attachments.

Next to and below, you can see the beautiful craftsmanship of Ricardo Parra, in Parra Drums.

Above, some of the many people Damon ran into. Friends of the show, Aaron Draper and Marcos Lopez (left), and Kevin Ricard (right).

Below, Thundercat (left), Adam Hanson (and friends of the show) Marcelo Woloski and Pete Lockett (right).

Below, are some of the new LP cajons, the steel salsa snare and the new Dandy bongo bells. You can see more of the new LP products by going HERE.

Above, David Ryan Harris (left), Jesus Diaz, LaNesha Latimer, Christian Pepin, (friends of the show) Fausto Cuevas III, Aaron Draper (center) and Wolf (right).

Below, the LP Family dinner (left) and the ZIldjian Family dinner (right).

Below, Terreon Gully (left) and the Rodriguez Brothers, Robert and Mike (right).

Gig Alerts

Click on poster for more info!

Blackbird Presents and The Capitol Theatre in partnership with the B.B. King Estate are proud to announce two incredible nights of music celebrating the music of B.B. King. The Thrill Is Gone: A Tribute To B.B. King featuring some of music’s greatest Blues and Rock legends celebrating the legendary king of Blues, B.B. King.

The Thrill Is Gone: A Tribute To B.B. King will feature two-nights of music (daily lineup varies) with performances by Anthony Hamilton, Bob Margolin, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo, Derek Trucks, Ivan Neville, Jamey Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, John Scofield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Little Steven, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Shemekia Copeland, Southside Johnny, Steve Cropper, Susan Tedeschi, Tony TC Coleman, Warren Haynes, and William Bell. More very specials guests to be announced in the coming weeks. Grammy® Award-winning producer and legendary drummer, Steve Jordan, will serve as musical director.

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The song leading into the interview is from the “Traveling Through Time” album by Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez Interview

On this Episode, Damon interviews Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez at NAMM. The interview starts with Horacio talking about how he started to incorporate the clave on his left foot. They talk about his childhood in Havana and if you’ve ever wondered how Horacio got the Nickname “El Negro” jump to 32’24”.

Horacio got arrested for playing American (Jack Bruce) music at the age of 14 in Cuba. He spent two weeks in Jail. Damon mentions how amazing it was that later on in his career Horacio got to play with Jack Bruce.

Damon talks about how influential Horacio’s teachings were to his limb independence and Horacio talks about how he began to write his book “Conversations in Clave.”

Horacio has a couple of projects including the Italuba, Italuba Big Band, and Afro-Cuban Trio Havana Jam.

The name Havana Jam comes from a three-day music festival that took place at the Karl Marx Theater, in Havana, Cuba, on 2–4 March 1979. Horacio mentions that it was the first time American musicians went to Cuba since about 1959.

Listen to Horacio share who his influences are, his view on the music industry, the garage full of drums he had in NJ and more!

Horacio shares a story about the Mbira, the National instruments of Zimbabwe, that he received from a gentleman by the name of Thomas Mapfumo. This gentleman played as a guest at Bob Marley’s only concert in Africa celebrating Zimbabwe’s independence. Read more.

Damon has a story about a tour of the Wanamaker Organ that Horacio took him on.

Damon has a cassette tape of Horacio and Daniel Ponce that has significant historical value. Even Horacio has been looking for this cassette for years and ask Damon for a copy! Jump to 56’20” to hear more about it.

6/25/20 UPDATE: Damon found the cassette and converted the songs into MP3s. You can hear the three tunes below…..

The Albums Damon mentions are Habana by Roy Hargrove with Miguel “Anga” Diaz on congas and Traveling Through Time with Giovanni Hidalgo.

Horacio shares his composition process and gives an insight on how they recorded the Deep Rumba Albums. Damon shares a memory of the album release party at the Knitting Factory. They also talk about the Modern Drummer recordings with Michael Brecker(Ts) Hilario Duran (P) John Patitucci (B) Marc Quinones (Per). Damon also talks about the album Best friends by Humberto Ramirez and Giovanni Hidalgo.

The first time Damon met Horacio was at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston performing with Michel Camilo and Anthony Jackson. Damon was bootlegging the show and Horacio saw the red light on his recording device and asked him for a copy after the show.

Horacio is performing in NYC at the Iridium May 20-25th John Patitucci and March 12th with Fahir Atakoğlu. Damon missed his chance to see Horacio on tour with Santana.

Horacio is endorsed by Pearl Drums and Percussion, Promark, Istanbul, Evans. You can find Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.