Cell: 305-542-2544
E Mail: edwinbonilla23@hotmail.com
Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico raised in Elizabeth, NJ. Started playing at a very early age. By the age of 14, I was already playing with some of the best local bands in New Jersey. As A percussionist, I am familiarized with rhythmic patterns the world over, as my professional experiences include performances and recordings in jazz, rock, soca, pop, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Indian, and Brazilian music. Aside from participating in more than 1000 recordings, during the last 17 years’ continuous studio and performing work, including videos, movie scores and jingles, kept me in the forefront of several developments in the music industry, as well as some of its most important figures and groups. On July 8, 1999, “Edwin y su Son” was my first release as a leader, of which “Soy la candela” is the second step, released on March 14, 2002. Both recordings achieved high volume of sales and the international support of audiences, radio and dancing club programmers, as well as critics. Also, third CD, “Pa’ la calle” released in March 15, 2004, which also has been highly acclaimed the world over. In 2006, Edwin completed a special Charanga CD with his long time friend and compadre Jesus “el Nino” Perez, “Tirando Pa’ Charanga”. In 2010 released “Homenaje A Los Rumberos” and Infinito in 2012.
Edwin Bonilla y Su Orquesta has performed live in the “Fiesta Salsa y Toro” in France, in San Francisco, Seattle Washington, Toronto Canada, New York City in S. O. B’s, and in The Miami International Salsa Congress. Miami Calle Ocho yearly Festival from 2005 thru present, Tampa Salsa Congress, Guayaquil Ecuador Salsa Fest, and we have also, recorded live performances in TLC’s show “Fak’n It”. The Orquesta appearance and original music featured in Paramount Pictures New TV Series “South Beach” produced by Jennifer Lopez, staring, Vanessa Williams and Steven Baur. Music also features in instructional dance video by The Salsa Lovers School for Dancers, founded by Rene Geitz. Edwin y Su Orquesta has also performed live with Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock (the legendary New York City’s Palladium’s Mambo Dancers.) Two of my CD’s “Homenaje a los Rumberos” has received 3 Grammy Nominations and “Infinito” has received 1 Grammy Nominations.
Of the aforementioned 1000+ recording projects, the following is just a sampling of some of the most important: Gloria Estefan-Grammy Winner, Azúcar Moreno, Madonna, No Mercy, Dave Grusin, Eric Byrne, ‘N Sync, Hansel y Raul, Julio Iglesias, Tito Puente Jr., Jose Feliciano, Roberto Torres, Tony Bennett, Monguito el Unico, Stevie Wonder, La Charanga Casino, Patti Labelle, Wilfrido Vargas, Celine Dion, Shalim Ortiz, Bellamy Brothers, Thalia, Lenny Kravitz, Shakira, Quincy Jones’-Jook Joint-Grammy Winner, Barrio Boys, Frank Sinatra-Duets II-Grammy Winner, Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma”, John Secada’s – “Amor”-Grammy Winner, Franco de Vita, Arturo Sandoval-Hot House- Grammy Winner, Carlos Ponce, Roberto Blades-Encore-Grammy Winner, Manhattan
Transfer, Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Jimmy Smith, Gypsy Kings, Marc Anthony, Jerry Rivera, Alejandro Fernandez, Alexandre Pires, Juan Luis Guerra, Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin, Lucero, Los Ilegales, Jennifer Lopez, Nestor Torres-This Side of Paradise- Grammy Winner, Maru, Sopa pa contrario, Chayanne, Alejandra Bassi, Raul DeBlasio, Viva Nativa, Hansel Martinez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Donna Summers, and the legendary’ James Brown. Perry Ferrell, Juanes, Paquito De Rivera, Esperansa Spalding, Luis Fonsi, Donna Summers, Willie Chirino, and Dave Valentine
TV appearances, mostly with Gloria Estefan, including: World Music Awards, Arsenio Hall, American Music Awards, White House Christmas Special, Grammy Awards (New York, 1994), Vatican Concert for the Pope, Super Bowl-’95-Patti Labelle, ’99-Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder, Acapulco “93”, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox Club House, David Letterman. Top of the Pop’s London VH1 Honors, Live by Request, Oprah Winfrey, Americanos PBS Special, Rosie O’Donnell, The View, Today Show, Hispanic Heritage Awards ’99 – present, Regis And Kathy Lee, Donny and Marie Show, Caribbean Soul Special or “alma Caribeña” with Gloria Estefan from The Bahamas and the Millennium Concert, “Unwrapped”- Gloria Estefan in Cesar’s Palace Las Vegas, and American Idol, as well as various shows throughout Europe, South America, Japan, Recently appeared and played in Broadway show “On Your Feet”
I have recorded in the following movie soundtracks: Anastasia-Walt Disney, Mark of Zorro, The Specialist, Make Me Dance, Something about Mary (also Appeared in the movie), Evita, The Perez Family, Steal Big Steal Little, Music of My Heart, Ramdon Thoughts, Money Train, and in the Grammy awarded production of Sesame Street 25th Anniversary Elmopalooza (also appeared in video), Empire, and Chasing Papi.
Aside from my own band, the following list reflect the nature and scope of some of the groups and artist, I have performed, or still currently performing, with: Gloria Estefan, the late, Maestro Israel Lopez “Cachao”, The New World Symphony, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Wonder, Ed Calle, Hansel Y Raul, Nestor Torres, Miami Sound Machine, Arturo Sandoval and etc.
Endorser’s: Latin Percussion (LP), Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, Drum Kat, and Audix Mic.