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 Timbalero
Tito de Gracia has a long list of recording and performing credits
with major artists from the worlds of Salsa and Latin jazz, including
Tito Puente,
Michael Stuart, Celia
Cruz, Willie Colon, Ismael Miranda, Puerto Rico All Stars, Brenda
K. Starr, Jerry Rivera, Montañez, Dave Valentin, Nestor Torres,
and George Benson.
As a kid in Puerto Rico, De Gracia's older brother introduced him
to the music of Nicky Marrero, Mike Collazo, and Tito
Puente. He began
playing bongos when
he was five, and by age 12 had become a percussionist with Los Chiquitines
del Son (The Kids of Son), directed
by Max Torres. Later, as a conguero, De Gracia was affiliated with
Orquesta Panamericana, Robert Roena's Apollo Sound Orchestra, and Cano
Estremera. Then in 1990, he joined Andy Montañez Orchestra,
on timbales. His work has taken him across the US, Latin American,
Cuba, and Europe, with stops at such prestigious soundstages as the
Puerto Rico Fine Arts Center and Madison Square Garden.
The first LP
instrument that De Gracia acquired was a set of LP
Tito Puente Timbales.
Overall, he says, he values "LP's reliability and terrific sound." In
2008 Tito worked closely with LP's
Research and Development department creating a signature
set of LP
Tito De Gracia Timbales. The drums functional
qualities give percussionists features that are exceptional and the
drums are receiving critical acclaim from musicians around the world.
Equipment list: LP
Tito De Gracia Timbales, LP
Classic Congas, LP
Generation II Bongos, various
cowbells and blocks
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