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 Sixteen year old percussion prodigy, Marcos Lopez, was born into a remarkably musical family in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1988. Marcos’s father is trumpeter and singer, Marcos Malory, and his grandfather is singer, Sammy Ayala, founder of "Rafael Cortijo and his Combo", and currently the band leader of "Herencia". The young LP artist began playing congas at the age of four, and later added bongos and timbales to his repertoire.
Not only does Marcos have an impressive musical pedigree, he also has an impressive list of credentials of his own, especially for one so young. Marcos presently plays in the percussion ensemble at HSPA, where he is a tenth grade student, and he is the timbale player in the teenaged tropical big band, "N’Klabe". He has already played with a number of the most prodigious names in Latin percussion, including Andy Montañez; Victor Manuelle; Ruben Blades; Tito Nieves; Charlie Sepulveda; Dave Valentin; Luisito Marin; and Anthony Carrillo; and he has performed on stage with Giovanni Hidalgo; Alex Acuña; the Cuco PeŇa Concert Band; and Sheila E.
In 2003, Marcos attended the Berklee College of Music Summer Camp on a scholarship, and he was also awarded a "Distinguished Musicianship" diploma from the Berklee Faculty for 2002 – 2003. In May 2001, May 2002, and April 2003, respectively, Marcos participated in the PR Heineken Jazz Festival with the Berklee College of Music Student Band. His involvement in the "Battle of the Timbale Players" at the Geruki Pub in Hato Rey, in March of 2003, earned him the title of "hero of the night" from the San Juan-based Newspaper El Vocero.
Marcos has appeared as a special guest at numerous functions including the Tribute Gala for Tito Puente at Lincoln Center, in New York City, in April of 2003, and at the Marriott Hotel’s Jazz Fest Night in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Alex Acuña, and Ricky Encarnación. He also appears on the CD produced during the latter concert entitled "Ricky Encarnación, and Alex Acuña Live at the San Juan Marriott". In January of 2003, LP sponsored Marcos as a special guest, along with Paoli Mejias and Javier Oquendo, at the 2003 Montreal Drum Fest.
Marcos’s already shining career as a brilliant percussionist promises to continue its meteoric rise through the world of Latin Jazz as he practices his craft, maintains his musical studies, and contributes outstanding performances alongside his fellow percussionists at festivals, concerts, workshops and on CD’s.
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