- Pernell Saturnino
2007
Grammy nominee percussionist Pernell Saturnino is continuing a prominent musical legacy established by his distinguished family in the exotic Caribbean island ofCuracao . His grandmother, granduncle and grandaunt, were among those who originated and developed the island's indigenous folkloric rhythm known asTambú . Exposed to music while still a toddler, his uncle, who led a prominent folkloric group, took him to play in the group when he was 8 years old. He started playingguiro and within a month had learned to play most of the drum patterns from the group's percussionist. The first instrument he learned to play was thetambora , a drum from Venezuela. From there, he advanced to learnconga s, the tambú (a traditional Curacaoan drum), thechapi (a hoe) andtimbale s.Saturnino's impressive talents led to his joining Curacao’s best-known folkloric group, Nos Antias, with which he performed at festivals around the world. His exposure to other folkloric groups inspired him to learn about traditional rhythms from other countries, mostly by hanging out and exchanging knowledge with other musicians.
When he was 19, Mr. Saturnino began formal studies at the Foundation Institute of Music in Curacao. Hired as percussionist in a house band that performed international shows at a prominent hotel, he learned to play rhythms from such countries as Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, among others.
In 1988 he moved to Boston to attend the
Berklee College of Music , where he studied with percussion mastersGiovanni Hidalgo andJesus Alfonso (Los Muñequitos de Matanzas), and performed with such renowned artists asJoe Zawinul ,Hermeto Pascoal andGilberto Gil . Saturnino also began performing with local artists, most notablyRebecca Paris andDanilo Perez . During his studies, he was honored as The most outstanding percussionist (1992), and received The Latin Percussion Award (1994).Following his graduation from Berklee, he began working and recording with saxophone/clarinet virtuoso
Paquito D'Rivera both with The United Nation Orchestra (Live at the Manchester Craftsmen’s GuildGrammy nomination] ), and in other group settings (Portraits of Cuba**, Live at the Blue NoteGrammy award] , The Clarinetist, Calle 54, Big Band Time with the WDR Orchestra, Island Story with The Caribbean Jazz Project and the new release Funk Tango). Mr. Saturnino has been performing and recording with Mr. D'Rivera for 11 years.In 1996, Saturnino joined the David Sanchez Quintet and later Sextet, with whom he performed for nine years and recorded (Obsession, Travesia, Melaza and Coral).
Recently Mr. Saturnino is working frequently with the U.S. Quintet of
Dee Dee Bridgewater .Mr. Saturnino--who has performed in festivals, concerts and in clubs throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, China and Africa --is kept busy as an in-demand side-man, guest artist and clinician. Among highlights: The 1996 Olympic Arts Festival and the
Lincoln Center Summer Jazz Festival withWynton Marsalis , with whom he also recorded (Sweet Release).Chick Corea and Electric Band (To the Stars) andDiego Urcola (Viva) with whom he received a Grammy nomination.He has also recorded with
Danilo Perez (Central Avenue and the soundtrack for the Hollywood feature movie, Huge Pool), as well as withCarlos Franzetti ,Bebo Valdez ,Antonio Hart (Here I stand),Juan Pablo Torres (Tromboneman),Richie Zellon (Café con Leche),Oscar Stagnaro , Curacaoan pianistRandal Corsen (EvolushonEdison award] and new release Armonia), Curacaoan vocalistIzaline Calister (Soño di un muhé, MariposaEdison nomination] , Krioyo, Kanta helele) andDonny McCaslin (Soar).Notes
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