About me
Robertito is a Professional Freelance percussionist and Latin Percussion Instructor based out of Los Angeles, California. Robertito was born in New York City and at the age of 6, his family moved to Philadelphia. When Robertito was 10 years old, he received a ?Monkees? Drum Set as a Christmas gift from his father, Ruben. Within a year, Robertito began to self-teach himself how to play bongos, maracas, and guiro by observing the many musicians that his father would bring over to their house. Also, he practiced by listening to his parents records. Robertito believes that because of this early exposure to music, the seed of music, mainly percussion, was firmly planted within him. Little by little, his love of music began to blossom. Within his household, there were many sounds of music such as Latin music that included cha-cha-cha, mambo, boleros, and spiritual songs. Other music also heard was Jazz and Top 40. Robertito also participated in many activities such as sports, church events, and various home activities. Within the community, there were many opportunities to hear live music ? such as at the local parks, at someone?s home, or at a neighborhood street corner. By the time he turned 16 he began to play bongo with his first Latin band named ?La Joventu.? This was a pivotal experience for Robertito and motivated him to learn more percussion at a school named Ile Ife. Through his teacher, Mr. Powell, Robertito gained much more knowledge and discipline which has provided the fundamentals for playing percussion. By the age of 21, Robertito decided to pursue music more seriously as a profession and started working with other bands that played various genres of music, such as, R & B, funk, and blues. Every now and then, Robertito would sit-in with some good local Jazz trios. In 1977, Robertito left Philadelphia and arrived in Los Angeles to pursue his profession in both Latin and Pop music. Since his arrival here in Los Angeles, Robertito has had much success as a freelance musician, percussion instructor, and countless musical recordings. Robertito has also earned a degree in Theology at the Latin American Bible College which has helped him to maintain balance within the music industry and his personal life. 2006 started off with a full endorsement with Volcano Percussion located in Kona, Hawaii. Robertito has completed his instructional percussion CD and his instructional percussion book on conga, bongo, timbales, clave, and more. Also in the planning, Robertito is building a group of his elite students plus working on recording his own Latin Jazz CD. Robertito expresses much love and appreciation for his family, mainly for his mother, Tillie, who has been a super role model and a vital inspiration to his success. Sincere influential acknowledgements go out to his homeboys from Philly like Turie, Brother Chris, band leader Teddy Rivera, Ricky Gonzalez, Peachy, and Mr. Powell ? ?my Afro-American teacher.? And on the West Coast, Perico Hernandez, Francisco Aguabella, Mazacote, Buckey, Johnny Conga, Candido Rodriequez, Ray Armando, Victor Pantoja?..and many more. When it comes to the Music Super Heroes, Robertito looked up to Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Jose Mangual Jr., Nicky Marrero, Oreste Vilato, Little Ray Romero, Roberto Roena, Papo Pepin, Willie Bobo, and the Legendary Tito Puente - just to name a few! Robertito would like to conclude this bio by saying thanks to all the musicians that he has met, recorded, traveled, and performed with and also thanks to the many supportive individuals he has met: Bobby Matos, Palabra, Susie Hansen, Johnny Blas, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Poncho Sanchez, Miguel Cruz and Skins, Tierra, El Chicano, Johnny Polanco, Johnny Martinez, REMO, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Ramona Hall Community Center, MOPERC, Timba, Cielo Drum, Pico Rivera Community Center, Bang-a-Drum, his Godfather and bata teacher Pedro Orta, the radio station Alma de Barrio, the ?cuchie frito? Latin circuit, and to all the students and supporters. Teaching Experience: Ramona Hall Community Center, ongoing percussion clinics since 1988 Old Town Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Youth First Program, Los Angeles Unified School District Power of Music, percussion program for adults, children, and special program participants, Art Orisha Evening Percussion Classes REMO Percussion Center, and ongoing private classes and clinics For the past 10 years, Robertito has been teaching actively and productively at Ramona Hall Community Center (see above calendar for further details) Robertito's performances encompass a variety of musical genres such as SALSA (big-time), Latin Jazz, Jazz, Fusion, Funk, R & B, World Beat, Pop, Gospel...etc. ***Full endorsement with Volcano Percussion located in Kona, Hawaii www.robertitomelendez.com robertitodrum@netzero.com
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