Enildo Rasua Quintet

Creator of the mind-blowing "Third Hand" technique, Latin Jazz percussionist Enildo Rasúa is an innovator extraordinaire who’s been performing globally for three decades. Anyone who’s seen him play is an instant fan – his recent video clip garnered 35,000 hits in days. Grammy award-winning drummer Arturo Stable (Paquito D’Rivera) calls him “one of the greatest Latin drummers of our generation".

Rasúa’s style and sound are unique. Classically trained, he’s a powerhouse of Afro-Cuban soul one minute, the next he reveals the exquisite, light touch of a classical player. Born in Eastern Cuba to a family of mixed African/Spanish heritage, his childhood was infused with modern Salsa beats and American soul and rock. He’s a master of Cuban musical traditions such as Son Cubano, Changüí, Salsa, Rumba, Tumba Francesa and Abakuá. To this mélange, Rasúa adds his cutting edge “Third Hand” technique: he plays drums with THREE sticks, while his feet play additional rhythms. The result is other worldly, leading one French critic to call Rasúa “the alien drummer".

A product of Cuba's rigorous music education system, Rasúa began studying percussion at age six. Consistently medalling, by 13, Rasua won a coveted spot at the Escuela Nacional de Artes in Havana alongside friend Horacio "El Negro" Hernández. His formal training continued at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte. Rasúa's passion for Latin Jazz was born when he heard Afro-Cuban Jazz gamechangers Irakere, led by Chucho Valdés, and American Jazz trailblazers like Miles Davis and Weather Report. Thriving, Rasúa was also at the forefront of a new movement - Rumba was transforming Cuban music. He played 10 hours a day, practicing by day (including experimenting with three sticks) and performing by night.

Rasúa became a dynamic performer. Explosive yet tender, he mesmerized audiences and was in high demand in Cuba.  He was the drummer for singer Pedro Luis Ferrer and top pop band, Grupo Montespuma, with whom he toured globally and recorded with Pablo Milanés. He was the drummer for Nicolas Reynoso's Latin Jazz group and performed with Latin Jazz innovator Bobby Carcacés and Rumba stars Clave y Guaguancó. He played with the Cabaret Tropicana and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional. As principal percussionist for the Orquesta Cubana de Radio y Televisión, he accompanied legends such as Omara Portuondo, Ibrahím Ferrer, Elena Burque, Celina González, Michel Legrand and Johnny Mandel.

Rasúa headlined at multiple Encuentros de Percusión in Barcelona, before relocating to Spain in 1997. The versatile Rasúa and his now mastered “Third Hand” technique were in high demand in Europe. He played with Carlos Benavent (Paco de Lucia), Chicuelo, Flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés, Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu, Senegalese world music group Tukupa, Indian/Jazz fusion group Tasama Project, Flamenco/Jazz Fusion Cajonmania, Croatia’s Jazzorchestar de Zagreb and the Camerata de Saint Cugat de Valles. He was Musical Director for a world tour of Spanish contemporary dance troupe Gelabert Azzoparti.

The Enildo Rasúa Quartet (Aruán Ortíz on piano, Dave Pybus on saxophone, Dick Them on bass) headlined at Jazz clubs, including Barcelona’s Jamboree Jazz Club and La Jazz Cava de Tarrasa, and performed at festivals such as Circuit Ressons Jazz de Catalunya, Festival de Jazz de Tarrasa, Parla Jazz Festival, Festival Jazz Vic, Festival de Jazz de Tete Montoliú, L'Hora del Jazz and Interparla Festival. A master teacher to students such as Ramsés Rodriguez Baralt (Chucho Valdes), Eugenio Doria (Gloria Estéfan), and Oliver Valdés (Silvio Rodriguez), Rasúa has written many books on Cuba music.

In 2013, Rasúa made his US debut to rave reviews at New York’s Jazz Standard with a new Enildo Rasua Quartet (Troy Roberts on saxophone, Ben Winkelman on piano, Ricky Rodriguez on bass). Rasúa has since performed with Alex Acuña, Giovanni Hidalgo, Meme Solís, Juan-Carlos Formell and Robbie Ameen. He appeared on Telemundo TV with Más Allá. As a special guest on Terry Bozio's show on Drumchannel.com, Rasúa, Bozio and Alex Acuña wowed fans with a live jam session. Rasúa was Afro-Cuban music composer for Good Bread Alley at New York’s Theater Workshop, again appearing on Telemundo TV. A master of “la calle” who brings a fresh groove to Latin Jazz, Enildo “The Third Hand” Rasúa will blow you away.

INSTRUMENTATION

As soloist or special guest, Rasúa plays in any genre. As band leader, Rasúa offers any formation (trio, big band, etc.) in Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa, and Jazz/World Music Fusion. A master of drumset, congas, marimba and vibes, he’s an expert sight reader who can transcribe by ear.