Josiel Perez Hernandez

Born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba on October 9, 1986, Josiel comes from an extensive musical family, beginning with his grandfather who is a refined flautist to his uncle Andres Perez who is considered one of the best baritone saxophonists in Cuba.

Josiel began his formal musical studies at the fresh young age of 9, in the Elementary School of Art, where he studied trumpet, piano and composition.

After graduating, Josiel continued onto the reputable and highly acclaimed “National School of Art” (ENA) in Havana Cuba for four years, and then on to the Institute of Superior Art (ISA) for four years.

In 2007, Josiel traveled to Barbados to participate in a Master Class with the Youth Symphonic Orchestra, performing alongside Adrian Husband Boo, and some of the greatest musicians the island has to offer.

Upon his return to Cuba, Josiel was part of a band with the prestigious vocalist “Osdalgia”, while continuing his education at the School of Arts in Havana.

From 2008 to 2009, Josiel joined the prestigious Orchestra Klimax, directed by Giraldo Piloto, the nephew of the great percussionist “Guillermo Baretto”, and one of the most important bandleader’s in Cuba, and with this group toured the island of Cuba, and performed two years in a row at the famous “Festival Jazz Plaza” in Havana.

In 2010, Josiel toured Europe as the 1st trumpet with one of the most respected and Internationally renown flautist and bandleader’s in Cuba, (ex-Chucho Valdes bandmate) Orlando “Maraca” Valle, and his group “Maraca Y Otra Vision”, performing at some of the most prestigious festivals in the world, such as; Jazz Festival in Vanz, Jazz Festival Toulon, and International Festival Azerbaykan.

Josiel completed a successful 2011 twenty-eight City U.S. Summer Tour with MARACA’s Latin Jazz and Salsa group, performing at Yoshis in San Francisco, DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts), Chicago Folk and Roots, the Kennedy Center in DC, and more…

After the 2011 tour with Maraca, Josiel landed in Alburqurque New Mexico for a little over a year, where he studied intensively with Bobby Shew, and performed with many well known groups such as Excelencia, Ray De La Paz, Lorenzo Antonio and more.

Also, while in New Mexico, and aside from composing and arranging for his own JP Project, a blend of Cuban music and Neo Soul, Josiel wrote music, played lead trumpet and composed for a band called ENJOY, a newly collaborative group of former students of the Cuban music school ISA, alongside musical director Mariano Morales (Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa).

Currently, Josiel resides in Los Angeles California where he has been giging alongside top level musicians; Luis Conte, Haakon Graf, Rayford Griffin, Hans Zermuelen, Dan Lutz, Stan Sergeant, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Luis Eric Gonzalez, Kamasi Washington, Jimmy Branly, Raul Pineda, Sawa Perez, Joey De Leon, and also leading, composing, and arranging music for the AC Jazz Project aka Afro Cuban Jazz Project, a Nationally known group produced by PJ Oliva, and formerly led by world reknown Cuban Percussionist Long John Oliva who passed away in 2004.

Josiel has taken the reigns of the AC Jazz, composing and arranging new innovative, fresh and creative music, effortlessly upholding their musical status as arguably one of the most versatile contemporary Cuban bands in Los Angeles. Composed of extracts from Maraca, Grupo Afro-Cuba, NG La Banda, Cuba L.A. and Opus 13, their outstanding repertoire and style is a fusion of jazz improvisations mixed with afro-cuban music genres (rumba, folklore, danzon, cha cha cha, mambo, son & timba). The band is performing at many notable venues and festivals across the United States, entertaining, and exciting audiences, while regaining national respect and notariety.

Josiel’s musical style is extremely versatile, he can play anything from his native traditional and contemporary Cuban Music, Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Bebop, to Classical, Latin, Funk, Rock, RnB, and Soul. Show less