Javier M. Barrios was born on April 15th, 1970, into a distinguished family of musicians. He started his performance career at the tender age of 6. By the age of 10, he was performing at clubs, dances, parties, and schools. He studied at Siena Heights College under the direction of Professor Mike Lorenz.
Javier Barrios won a prestigious award for best Latin Percussionist at the Aquinas College Inter-Collegiate Big Band Jazz Festival, which was judged by Ron English, Brad Sharp and jazz great, Chick Corea.
After leaving Siena, he studied under Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo (current percussion lineup for Carlos Santana), Dennis Sheridan, Alberto Nacif, Larry Fratengelo, Andrew Daniels, (currently with Vinx), and African Ceremonial Tribe Drummers, Acunda Hollis and Sundiyata Quinto.
He has given back to his community by providing free drum and percussion clinics to the students of Western High School (his alma mater). He has offered free music lessons to anyone who wanted to learn the origins of drums and electronic percussion, MIDI sequencing, and digital sampling.
Javier has performed or recorded with distinguished musicians such as: Miguel Chacon, Oscar Valentine, Randy Scott, Benny Cruz Y La Buena Vida, Leslee Livrano (former lead singer with Company B), jazz great, Charlie Gabriel, Los Peregrinos, Azteca Band, Patricia Y Cariño Musical, Los Youngsters, Paul Vornhagen Grupo Fantasia, Paul Finazzo, Grupo Sensacion, Latin Jazz/Salsa Legend Eddie Palmieri, Vinx, Cesar Peña & Peña World Beat, and Tejano music legend Ricky Smith Y La Movida. While touring the State of Texas performing with Ricky Smith, Javier imultaneously recorded on Rick’s 23rd album, “Jammin’ in Detroit” He also has had the distinct honor of playing for the Detroit 300 Year festival with the great Stevie Wonder.
Javier collaborated with Ricky Smith and Victor Peraino, (from Victor Peraino’s Kingdom Come), to form Valencia Records International out of Southfield, Michigan.
Whenever the record company needed a solid backbeat, percussion flare, or drum and synthesizer programming, Javier was their man. He assisted with studio production work and provided technical assistance to other musicians who were facing recording difficulties.
He has participated in many large venues like the 2002/03/04 Michigan Festival Of the Arts, the 2001/03/04 Concert Of Colors, the Montreaux Detroit Jazz Festival, the Latino World Festival, the 2000 Woodward Dream Cruise, the 2003 Idlewild International Jazz Festival, the 2003 Michigan Tastefest, and the Motor City Blues Fest. He has opened for some of the biggest acts in the Latin industry such as: La Sombra, Joe Lopez & Mazz, David Lee Garza, the Texas Tornadoes, The Iguanas, Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Divino, Frankie Ruiz, Steve Jordan, Latin Comedian George Lopez, Mi Amigo Miguelito, Barrio Boyzz, famed jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, and the late Selena Quintanilla and “Mambo King”, Tito Puente.
He is currently collaborating with Orquesta La Inspiracion to restore the classic sound of “Salsa Dura” (Hard Salsa), Grupo Senacion for the latest in Tejano sounds, and Grupo Tumbao! A super hot Latin jazz band, all with major releases in the works.
Javier has major endorsements with: Cappella Drumsticks, Saluda Cymbals, and Sunlite Drums.
