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Javier M. Barrios was born on April 15th, 1970, into a distinguished
family of musicians. He started his performance career at the tender age
of 6. By the age of 10, he was performing at clubs, dances, parties, and
schools. He studied at Siena Heights College under the direction of
Professor Mike Lorenz. He won a prestigious award for best Latin
Percussionist at the Aquinas College Inter-Collegiate Big Band Jazz
Festival, which was judged by Ron English, Brad Sharp and jazz great,
Chick Corea.
After leaving Siena, he studied under Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo
(current percussion lineup for Carlos Santana), Dennis Sheridan, Alberto
Nacif, Larry Fratengelo, Andrew Daniels, (currently with Sting and Vinx),
and African Ceremonial Tribe Drummers, Acunda Hollis and Sundiyata
Quinto.
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He has given back to his community by providing free drum and
percussion clinics to the students of Western High School (his alma
mater). He has offered free music lessons to anyone who wanted to learn
the origins of drums and electronic percussion, MIDI sequencing, and
digital sampling.
Javier has performed or recorded with distinguished musicians such
as: Miguel Chacon, Oscar Valentine, Randy Scott, Benny Cruz Y La Buena
Vida, Leslee Livrano (former lead singer with Company B), jazz great,
Charlie Gabriel, Los Peregrinos, Azteca Band, Patricia Y Cariño Musical,
Los Youngsters, Paul Finazzo, Grupo Sensacion, Latin Jazz/Salsa Legend
Eddie Palmieri, Cesar Peña & Peña World Beat, and Tejano music legend
Ricky Smith Y La Movida. While touring the State of Texas performing
with Ricky Smith, Javier simultaneously recorded on Rick’s 23rd album,
“Jammin’ in Detroit”.
Javier collaborated with Ricky Smith and Victor Peraino, (from Victor
Peraino’s Kingdom Come), to form Valencia Records International out of
Southfield, Michigan.
Whenever the record company needed a solid backbeat, percussion flare,
or drum and synthesizer programming, Javier was their man. He assisted
with studio production work and provided technical assistance to other
musicians who were facing recording difficulties. |
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He has participated in many large venues like the 2002/03 Michigan
Festival Of the Arts, the 2001/03 Concert Of Colors, the Montreaux
Detroit Jazz Festival, the Latino World Festival, the 2000 Woodward
Dream Cruise, the Idlewild International Jazz Festival, the Michigan
Tastefest, and the Motor City Blues Fest. He has opened for some of the
biggest acts in the Latin industry such as: La Sombra, Joe Lopez &
Mazz,
David Lee Garza, the Texas Tornadoes, The Iguanas, Ozomatli, Los Lobos,
Divino, Frankie Ruiz, Steve Jordan, Latin Comedian George Lopez, Mi
Amigo Miguelito, Barrio Boyzz, famed jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, and
the late Selena Quintanilla and “Mambo King”, Tito Puente.
He is currently collaborating with Orquesta La Inspiracion to restore
the classic sound of “Salsa Dura” (Hard Salsa) and Grupo Sensacion for
the latest in Tejano sounds both with major releases in the works.
Mr. Barrios currently performs the Michigan Latin music scene with 8
bands: Grupo Sensacion (5 pc Tejano band), Orquesta La Inspiracion (12
pc Salsa band), Grupo Tumbao (6 pc Latin jazz band), Francesco Cavallini
(6 pc Brazilian band), Central Cruz (5 pc Latin rock band), Benny Cruz Y
La Buena Vida (5 pc Latin band), Ricky Smith Y La Movida (Tejano music
legend), Allegre (16 pc Salsa / Merengue band).
Javier uses any combination of these Saluda cymbals:
8" Mist brilliant splash, 10" Mist brilliant splash, 2 - 12" Mist
brilliant splashes, 13" Mist brilliant hi-hats, 3 - 18" Mist brilliant
crashes & 20" Voodoo china.
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Hear
Javier Barrios Timbale Solo
(Thanks goes to Alex Trajano and Thrilla Park Studios)
Mr. Barrios also endorses Sunlite Drums, Mountain Rythym Percussion,
Silverfox Drumsticks, and Avlex Microphones.
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