Luis graduated (with honours) from Humber College. Born in Lima, Peru in 1971, he came to Canada two years later and has been working as a band leader, producer and musician in the Toronto Latin American music scene for 27 years.

He has devoted his life to the art of music and gained respect, love and dedication to the art. As a musician he finds beauty within his skill and has embarked on a life long journey to improve and share the craft, developing both physically and emotionally through music. He has also gained the security of knowing what he wants to do and where he would like to go through music. The craft of his musicianship is something that has been and will be developing throughout his entire life. Music is his art because it’s something that he creates and puts on display. “It’s beautiful because it allows me to tell stories which have affected my life and at the same time allows individuals to create their own stories based on notes and rhythms, not just words.”

Luis is also a highly sought after teacher, and has worked with students and professionals at universities, schools and festivals across Canada and in Germany, Colombia, England and Peru.

He has done Mac computer tutoring for visually impaired students, from basic Voiceover use in Mac’s various operating systems, to the use of Logic Pro.

He identifies himself as a person of colour (latino) and visually impaired (blind)

EDUCATION

Music Diploma, Humber College Toronto, 1994

Afro Cubanismo Residence, Banff Centre for the Arts, 1994

Numerous percussion workshops around the GTA, including Humber College, York University, U of T and music schools / stores. I have also done workshops with international artists touring Canada.

SELECTED PRODUCTIONS

PAUL GUTIERREZ “Historias en Blues”, (2018) – Blues – Producer / Performer

SEAN BELLAVITI & CONJUNTO LACALU “Toronto Mambo”, (2017) – Salsa – Producer / Performer

PATRICIA CANO “Madre, Amiga, Hermana”, (2017) – World – Producer / Performer

LOUIS SIMAO “A Luz“, (2016) World – Co-producer

RUBEN “BENNY” ESGUERRA “A New Tradition Vol 2 Return of Kuisi”, (2016) Spoken Word with Latin Music – Producer / Performer – Nominated for World Music Category at the 2018 Juno Awards

LULA ALL STARS “Salsa de la Buena”(2016) Salsa – Producer / Performer

TOMSON HIGHWAY “The Post Mistress“ (2013) – Producer

PAUL GUTIERREZ “Noticias del Mundo”, (2013) – Latin Pop – Producer / Performer

RUBEN “BENNY” ESGUERRA “A New Tradition”, (2012) Spoken Word with Latin Music – Producer / Performer 

DIEGO MARULANDA, “Rueda la Bolita”, Indie (2011) Pop – Producer / Performer

CACHE, “Looking from the Top”, (2011) Salsa – Producer

PATRICIA CANO – “This is the New World”, (2009) Jazz, blues influenced with traditional South American folk forms – Producer / Performer

CACHE, “Toronto Sessions”, (2006) Salsa – Producer / Performer

DIEGO MARULANDA & PACANDE, “K’MA”, Indie (2005) Salsa – Producer / Performer

CACHE, “Blended”, MRP records (2004) Salsa – Producer / Performer

JOHANN AGUIRRE & ORCHESTA BESTIAL, “Saborigen”, Indie (1998) Salsa – Producer / Performer

VENTURA BROTHERS FEAT. JERRY GONZALES, “Ventura Brothers”, Indie (1993) – Producer / Performer

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY

ROOM 217, CARE THROUGH MUSIC, “Song Weaver” (2019) Latin American Songs

BOBBY RICE LATIN JAZZ BIG BAND, “Xtreme Latin Jazz” (2015) Latin Jazz

MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI “Chunk”, (2013) Funk, reggae, jazz, electronic

JORGE MIGUEL “Guitarra Flamenca”, (2012) Flamenco

HILARIO DURAN “Motion”, Alma Records (2010) Contemporary Jazz

WORLD JAZZ FOR HAITI, Indie (2010) Jazz

BOMBA “Cuatro Caminos”, (2008) Indie Latin Jazz

LUIS MARIO OCHOA QUINTET, “Momentos Cubanos”, (2008) Indie Latin

ELIANA CUEVAS “Vidas”, (2007) Indie Latin

RALPH IRIZARRY & SON CAFE, “Tributo“, BKS (2006) Salsa

TASA MUSIC, “Urban Turban”, (2006) Traditional and Contemporary Indian Music

NELLY FURTADO, “Loose”, Geffen (2006) Pop

DAVID VIRELLES, “Motion”, Justin Time (2006) Jazz

BOMBA “Entre Sol y Luz”, Indie (2005) Latin Jazz

RALPH IRIZARRY & SON CAFE, “Bailando Con Azucar“, BKS (2004) Salsa

ALEXIS BARO – “Havana Banana”, (2004) Jazz

LUIS MARIO OCHOA & CIMARRON, “Luis Mario And Friends”, (2004) Indie Latin

ELIANA CUEVAS, “Ventura”, Indie (2004) Latin

BOBBY RICE & SANDUNGA, (2004) Latin Jazz

NICK ALI & CRUZAO, “Shades Of Brown”, Justin Time (2002) Latin Jazz

JAKE LANGLEY, “The Latin Sessions”, Indie (2001) Latin Jazz

NELLY FURTADO, “Wow Nelly!”, Sony Dreamworks (2001) Pop

ELIANA CUEVAS, “Cohesion”, Indie (2001) Salsa / Brazilian

ROB THALLER, “Ritmo Azul”, Indie (2001) Salsa

BLAIR PURDY & GRUVORIA, “Gruvoria”, Indie (2000) Groove

DIEGO MARULANDA & PACANDE, “Por El Sol”, Indie (2000) Colombian folkloric

ALEX CANTERO, “Luces de mi Tierra”, Indie (co-producer) (2000) Latin-rock

LUIS MARIO OCHOA & CIMARRON, “La Fiesta”, Indie (1999) Salsa

DOMINICANADA, “Subiendo”, Indie (1996) Merengue

LUIS MARIO OCHOA & CIMARRON, “A La Cubana”, Indie (1995) Salsa

VENTURA BROTHERS FEAT. JERRY GONZALES, “Ventura Brothers”, Indie (1993) – Producer / Performer

SELECTED PERFORMANCES

Luis is currently a permanent member of the following bands with which he play sthroughout the year in different venues, events and festivals: Lula All Stars, Conjunto Lacalu, Patricia Cano, Jorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble, Bob Rice Big Band, Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet, La Borinqueña, New Tradition – Benny Esguerra, Los Poetas, Manny Cardenas, Yanny Borrel and Louis Simao.

He has also done live performances of the bands for which he’s been a recording artist.

JERRY RIVERA IN TORONTO (2019)

ROBERTO ROENA IN TORONTO (2019)

JIMMY BOSCH CONCERT IN TORONTO (2018, 2017, 2014, 2013), Salsa

LUISITO CARRION, Salsa, (2017, 2008)

TONY VEGA SALSA CONCERT IN TORONTO (2017)

HENRY FIOL SALSA CONCERT IN TORONTO (2017, 2016, 2012, 2010)

WILLIE TORRES, Salsa, Toronto (2016, 2014)

HERMAN OLIVERA SALSA CONCERT IN TORONTO (2016, 2015)

SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA AT PANAMANIA (2015)

MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI “Chunk”, (2013) Funk, reggae, jazz, electronic

ALFREDO DE LA FE , Salsa (2013, 2010, 2008)

REY DE LA PAZ TORONTO SALSA CONGRESS CONCERT IN TORONTO (2011)

HILARIO DURAN “Motion”, Alma Records (2010) Contemporary Jazz

WORLD JAZZ FOR HAITI, Indie (2010) Jazz

ALEX CUBA, World Music, (2009)

BOMBA “Cuatro Caminos”, (2008) Indie Latin Jazz

ELIANA CUEVAS “Vidas”, (2007) Indie Latin

STEVIE WONDER CONCERT AT AIR CANADA CENTRE (2007)

RALPH IRIZARRY & SON CAFE, “Tributo”, BKS (2006) Salsa

EDDIE SANTIAGO, Salsa, Montreal and Toronto (2006)

TASA MUSIC, “Urban Turban”, (2006) Traditional and Contemporary Indian Music

NELLY FURTADO, “Loose”, Geffen (2006) Pop

DAVID VIRELLES, “Motion”, Justin Time (2006) Jazz

BOMBA “Entre Sol y Luz”, Indie (2005) Latin Jazz

RALPH IRIZARRY & SON CAFE, “Bailando Con Azucar”, BKS (2004) Salsa

ALEXIS BARO – “Havana Banana”, (2004) Jazz

ELIANA CUEVAS, “Ventura”, Indie (2004) Latin

HORACIO HERNANDEZ, Salsa (2003)

NICK ALI & CRUZAO, “Shades Of Brown”, Justin Time (2002) Latin Jazz

KENWOORD DENNARD, Motown, (2001)

JAKE LANGLEY, “The Latin Sessions”, Indie (2001) Latin Jazz

NELLY FURTADO, “Wow Nelly!”, Sony Dreamworks (2001) Pop

ELIANA CUEVAS, “Cohesion”, Indie (2001) Salsa / Brazilian

ROB THALLER, “Ritmo Azul”, Indie (2001) Salsa

BLAIR PURDY & GRUVORIA, “Gruvoria”, Indie (2000) Groove

DIEGO MARULANDA & PACANDE, “Por El Sol”, Indie (2000) Colombian Folkloric

OSCAR DE LEON CONCERT in NEW YORK, Salsa (2000)

ALEX CANTERO, “Luces de mi Tierra”, Indie (co-producer) (2000) Latin Rock

JANE BUNNET, Jazz (1999 – 2004 in numerous opportunities)

DOMINICANADA, “Subiendo”, Indie (1996) Merengue

PEDRO ARROYO Concert in Toronto Salsa (2016)

CHUCHO VALDES LATIN JAZZ CONCERT , Banff Centre for the Arts, (1994)

LOS MUNEQUITOS DE MATANZAS, Banff Centre for the Arts,(1994)

CHANGUITO, Banff Centre for the Arts, (1994)

COMMISSIONED WORK

PUSH! – Wrote Score and performed live. Theatre piece produced by PARAPANAM Games – Toronto (2015)

“Sembrar” commissioned song for WORLD JAZZ FOR HAITI, Indie (2010) Jazz

CURRENT AFFILIATIONS

Member of the Toronto Musicians Association