Carlos Bravo

Gretsch Artist Since: 2018

Country: EC

Band or Affiliations: Independent, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Universidad de las Artes

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Gretsch Orange Gloss
20x20" BD, 8x10" TT, 8x12" TT, 16x16" FT, 8x142 SD
USA Custom Bell Brass 6,5x14"

Influences:
Max Roach, Philly Jo Jones, Roy Haynes, Papa Jo Jones, Elvin Jones, Tonny Willians, Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Steve Smith, Ignacio Berroa

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"Gretsch has been one of my greatest sound references from the time I began to study drums, my teacher and most of the drummers I admire have used this legendary brand. Once you have the opportunity to play it, you will not want to leave it."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Passion, study, listen a lot of music, perseverance, patience and being a good person."

Bio:
Carlos Bravo was born on January 5th, 1983 in Santa Rosa town belonging to El Oro province in Ecuador, he began to study drums at the age of 14 under the guide of maestro Pablo Cherrez in Carlos’ native town. Later, he traveled to Quito and graduated from Instituto de Música Contemporánea (IMC) Berklee International Network belonging to San Francisco de Quito University.

He has been taught by: Eddie Mejía, Kent Byron, Sergio Reggianni, Pascoal Meirelles, Gino Castillo, Adam Nussbam, John Hazila, Bob Tamagni, and many more. He has attended to music clinics and seminars conducted by: Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Zoro, Julio Figueroa, Antonio Hart, Gary Cawnpell, Iñaki Salvador, Antonio Sánchez, John Abercrombie, John Mc Clure, Paulo Moura, John Riley.

Along his music career he has worked nationally and internationally with bands and artists as: Geanpiero, Nicole Rubira, Luís Padilla, Ricardo Pita, Kat Rangel, Toño Navarrete, Ricardo Willians, Quino Orrantía, Gabino Torres, Hugo Idrovo, Sergio Sacoto, Francisco Terán, Daniel Betancourt, AU-D, Nikki Macklif, Máximo Escaleras, Time Project Band, Danilo Parra, Fausto Miño, Maykel, Christian Valencia, Andrés Valencia, Edhison, Fernando Vargas, Antonio Hart, Ed Calle, Jorge Luís del Hierro, Pamela Cortés, Danzas Jazz, Jenny Villafuerte, Paul Sánchez, Bolaños Jazz, Jaime Enrique Aymara, VAM Jazz Quartet, Andrés Sacoto, Hipatia Balseca, Pablo Noboa, Los hermanos Núñez, Marqués, Las Lolas, Israel Brito, Roberto Calero, Jazmín, Las Chicas Dulces, Las Tres, Gustavo Herrera, Aurikan, Julio Zabala, Tercer Mundo, Estación Zero.

In 2009, he was part of “JAZZ ENVOYS” program; it was sponsored by American Embassy, San Francisco de Quito University, and Jazz Masters Ecuador. Carlos was chosen among many drummers from the whole country (Ecuador) to integrate a jazz quartet in charge of giving jazz performances and seminars around Ecuador. During the program he traveled to study the very well-known Jamey Abersold ́s Jazz Workshop taught at University of Louisville, KY, later, he traveled to Washington to give a performance at the legendary Kennedy Center along the jazz ambassadors.

He got a Graduate Master Degree in Education focused in Curricular Design, driven only by his passion to discover new ways to study and share his knowledge. His master degree thesis was a new methodology to teach jazz drumming which will be published soon. Furthermore, nowadays he is getting a PhD degree in Music at University of La Habana (ISA) in Cuba. Nowadays, he combines teaching and music performance, he is full time professor in the Music Department at Santiago de Guayaquil Catholic University; Arts University and independent drummer of many music projects in Ecuador, and additionally he is sponsored by very well-known trademarks and companies such as: Prosonido, Percusión Ecuador y Drum Control.