Marco Toro. The Versatile of Percussion

Europa/ Holanda

Marco Toro is a versatile drummer, percussionist and composer born in Caracas, whose roots are embedded in Venezuelan popular music and culture.

In October 2015 he released his latest work, this time it’s about Latin jazz: Marco Toro presents Zambo Jazz, a mix of rhythms and flavors that reminds the listener of places like Africa, South America and New Orleans.

Marco Toro once again shows his diversity on drums and percussion, playing as always with top-notch musicians who also share credits on this production.

Marc Bischoff, from Germany on piano, wrote two of the eight songs: Oh Lame Saint and Mojitos and Daikiries, trumpeter Oscar -Chucky- Cordero, from Venezuela, wrote The Tour. Michael Simon, also from Venezuela, arranged Marialí. James 2 AM It is a composition by Chilean Alekos Vuskovic and Let It Walk is by trumpeter and arranger Francisco Peña from Colombia. Matthias Konrad plays the trombone; He is also from Germany and the Venezuelan Samuel Ruiz plays the bass.

In addition to playing drums, timbales, congas, bongos and cowbells, he also plays typical Afro-Venezuelan instruments such as cumaco, culo e puya, bell drum, tamboras, maracas, etc.

He not only plays all kinds of percussion instruments, he also plays a wide variety of styles.

Already in 2004 he embarked on a solo project: Marco Toro y su Ensamble, exploring South American rhythms such as Son, Joropo and Salsa, among others. With this group he released eight albums; The last CD is from 2017: Marco Toro y su Ensamble 12+1 Anniversary more info (www.toro-ensamble.com).

Marco Toro is currently playing with Lucas van Merwijk’s Drums United and Cubop City Big Band since 2008, touring Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, China and Thailand.

In 1989 Marco Toro formed Laberinto, a rock band that became known for creating “Metalatino”, a unique blend of heavy metal and Latin percussion.

In 1992 Laberinto moved from Caracas to Amsterdam, where the band released eight albums between 1996 and 2010.

Dutch rap legend Osdorp Posse appears on The World Might Suck, since 2008.

A ninth album: The best of Labyrinth was released in Venezuela.

After years of successful and extensive touring in Europe, Colombia and Venezuela went their separate ways.

He has shared the stage and recorded with many renowned artists such as:

• Andy González
• La India, Jimmy Bosch
• Pedro Arroyo
• Metropole Orkest
• Laberinto, Osdorp Posse
• Def P
• Beatbusters, Lucas van Merwijk’s Drums United
• Cubop City Big Band
• Ricky Luis N’Clave
• Zambo Jazz
• De Pana
• Beatbusters and Def P
• Santanico,
• G. Clarinda y la Rítmica
• Primera Plana Orchestra
• Bembe Orchestra
• El Trabucombo by Gerardo Rosales
• Marejada, Tierra Caliente
• Rudy Albano
• Jacqueline Castro
• Subject to change
• Tumbao
• Grupo Kilele
• Javier Plaza and his Orquesta Sonrisa
• FP La Banda
• Chucky y su Trabuco Guarimba
• Barrio Nuevo
• La Misma Gente
• Marike Jager Kuenta i Tambu
• King of the bongo
• Carmen Gabriela Lozada
• Grupo Mate
• Alejandro Carbajal
• Flaco Carrillo
• Silicon Head
• Wereld Kinder Festival
• The virtual school of Bart Noorman
• Pistoleros de la Paz
• Download Amsterdam
• Ensemble Amsterdam
• Cabo Cuba Jazz
• The Soul of Spanish Harlem
• Jean Paul Tamayo

among others.

Marco Toro is sponsored by Zildjian Cymbals, Pearl Percussion and Evans Drumheads.