Raphael & Jerry Gonzalez

Raphael is an enthusiastic percussionist and music teacher who has been making his mark in New York City over the past several years.

Recent engagements as a performer include: playing with latin-jazz master Arturo O'Farrill, traveling to Aruba to perform for the Prime Minister and a crowd of ten thousand people and regularly entertaining at some of New York City's most exclusive and star-studded parties.

Additionally, Raphael released his self-produced CD Yuba in 2003 (click here for audio samples). It featured his talents not only as a percussionist but also as a composer and producer and features his own unique blend of New York jazz and Afro-Cuban folklore.

Raphael holds a Bachelor's degree from NYU focusing on the relationship between religion and music. He continues to travel the to Cuba and India to research ancient and sacred music from various cultures.

Raphael has also been in demand as an educator, teaching music privately and at PS 145, Putney Student Travel, The Bank Street College of Education, and The Point Community Development Corporation.

For more info about Raphael's teaching, click here.