"I am, and I always will be, a student of my instrument," says master timbalero Jimmy Delgado. In his 25-year career in music, Delgado has performed and recorded with Harry Belafonte, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, The Bronx Horns, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Lionel Hampton, J J Johnson, Steve Turre, and the Fania All-Stars. Jimmy is currently working on solo material which promises to feature his creative and musical timbale style.



As a kid, Jimmy Delgado listened to Ray Barretto albums and was influenced by the works of Orestes Vilato ("still oneof the greatest timbaleros on earth"). At fourteen he began timbale lessons at the East Harlem Music School; at nineteen he was playing with such renowned artists as Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, and Ray Barretto. In the early 1980s Jimmy received his first gold record - for his timbale solo on the Kurtis Blow hit song, "These Are the Breaks."



Jimmy Delgado can be heard playing full percussion on an upcoming CD release by Tipica Novel, a charanga band ("charanga" is a style of instrumentation that consists of a rhythm section, strings, flute, piano, and bass). Delgado's own concert show band, "Jimmy Delgado and the Master Timbaleros," features Orestes Vilato, Endeel Dueno, Mike Collazo, and Nicky Marrero, with Adalberto Santiago on vocals. To get the latest info on the "Master Timbaleros," visit their website at www.jimmydelgado.com!



Based in New York City, Jimmy Delgado has enjoyed a long teaching career - at the Drummers' Collective, in New York City public schools, and at his alma mater, the East Harlem Music School.