Glen Velez is a four-time Grammy Award winner and seminal figure in the history and performance of the frame drum. More than 20 years ago, Velez brought a new genre of drumming to the Western world by creating his own performance style. His recordings include Glen Velez Solo and Breathing Rhythms Duo.
The renowned 20th century composer John Cage acknowledged Velez’s mastery when he wrote a piece especially for him in 1989. After 15 years performing and recording with the Steve Reich Ensemble and the Paul Winter Consort, Velez maintains an international touring schedule as a soloist and continues to collaborate with prominent artists in many styles, including Suzanne Vega, Maya Beiser, Tan Dun, and Pat Metheny. He has also collaborated with the Israel Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Opera Orchestra of New York, the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, Zakir Hussain, Sonny Fortune, the New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, David Darling, Howard Levy, Eugene Friesen, and Coleman Barks. Velez’s original compositions and signature sound can be heard in numerous recordings, films, commercials, and modern dance scores.
Glen Velez is an adjunct professor at Mannes College of Music and gives regular master classes at the Juilliard School in New York City, as well as at other prestigious universities and conservatories around the world.
