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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]van Velasquez
Drums

Ivan Velasquez was born in Caracas Venezuela; he comes from a long traditional line of great Venezuelan Musical Family, son of great trumpeter Rafael Velasquez. In 1980 he began his career as a session player working on Tv and Radio jingles . He went on to work with pop artists, including Soledad Bravo, Melisa, Luz Marina, Maria Teresa Chacin, Kiara, Antonieta, Ilan Chester, Ricardo Montaner, Jose Jose, Bertin Osborne, Mulato, Marcelo Cesan, Mirna Rios, Danny Rivera, Frank Quintero, Mirla Castellanos, Biella Da Costa, Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma”, Pedro Vargas, Armando Manzanero.

In 1982 Ivan took part of the Berlin Jazz Festival with recognized Jazz pianist Gerry Weil. In 1987 he started a working relationship with Venezuelan singer/songwriter and Grammy winner Franco De vita that lasted 21 years. Ivan appeared in 7 albums, Al Norte Del Sur (went platinum), Extranjero (went gold), Marzo 16 (went platinum), Voces a Mi Alrededor, Fuera de Este Mundo, Nada Es Igual, Segundas Partes. Ivan also appears in two filmed live concerts.

In 1995 the Velasquez Family made an album named “El Gallo Velasquez” paying tribute to great trumpeter Rafael Velasquez, performing music of some of the great Jazz players such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Beny Golson among others.

In 1997 Ivan toured with recognized Spanish singer Isabel Pantoja for 6 months around the world. In 1998 he won the Musician Of The Year Award. In 2004 he recorded with artist Willy Chirino album named “Son de Alma” and it was awarded a Grammy for best tropical album of the year.

Since 2003 he resides in Florida working on different projects. Since 2004 Ivan has been a full-time member of tropical music band Daiquiri. Ivan is a member of Jazzonian Foundation lead by virtuoso Cuban/American flutist Bobby Ramirez; which aims to spread Jazz across the south of Florida, performing in Schools, colleges, and festivals.

 
 
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