From Santurce, Puerto Rico, William "Kachiro" Thompson is one of the most in demand percussionists today. His father William “Danny” Thompson, who played with Bobby Valentín’s Orchestra during Kachiro’s childhood, was and still is his role model. As early as 8 years old, his father put him on stage to play with the band and from that day on Kachiro has focused on what has fulfilled one of the passions of his life, playing congas. He started his music lessons at Escuela Libre de Música de Hato Rey. The talent that runs through his veins has been polished through practice as a consequence his unique style and sound has been the result of constant practice that takes place almost on a daily basis.
Kachiro’s professional career began at age 14 when his first opportunity to record appeared with the Zodiac Orchestra. From that point there have been many artists throughout the years that have been interested in recording Kachiro’s work, over 400 recording sessions confirm this fact. Some artists to mention are Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Isaac Delgado, Tommy Olivencia, Tony Vega, Alex D’ Castro, Bobby Valentín, Oscar De León, Cano Estremera, Grupo Niche, Ismael Miranda, Chayanne, Ricardo Arjona, Franco De Vita, Luis Fonsi, Yolandita Monge, Jerry Rivera, La Mulenze, Cheo Feliciano, Michael Stuart, La India, Limite 21, Moncho Rivera, Ruben Blades, Luisito Carrion, Elvis Crespo, Grupo Mania, Celia cruz, Orquestra Perigñon, Tito Rojas, Eddie Santiago, Luis Perico Ortiz, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Marvin Santiago, Costa Brava, Siglo 21, Hermanos Gaetan de Panamá, Johnny Rivera, Anthony Cruz, among many others.
Kachiro has worked with musical producers and/or directors of prestige such as Luis García, José Lugo, Jairo Varela, Cuco Peña, Willie Sotelo, Emilio Estefan, Gunda Merced, Ramon Sanchez, Elias Lopez, Diego Galé and Sergio George. His work has also been part of Grammy Award winning productions like Marc Anthony’s “Contra La Corriente”, Elvis Crespo’s “Píntame”, and Luis Enrique’s “Ciclo”. Also winning Nominations with Rey Ruiz, Oscar de León, Cheo Feliciano and Ruben Blades. Kachiro has taken the rhythms of “el quinto” and “la tumbadora” beyond Puerto Rico to the United States and countries in Central America, South America, Europe and Africa. Even though salsa is the type of music he has worked the most with, Kachiro has been invited to play other rhythms showing his versatility and musicality.
In the jazz genre Kachiro has played Jazz with Luis Marín, Julio Alvarado, Robert Vilera and Humberto Ramírez, he also participate the PR Heineken Jazz Fest and Puerto Rican native rhythms such as Plena and Bomba with Plena Libre. Throughout his career Kachiro has been part of various live events of international significance such as “El Día Nacional de La Salsa” of PR for several years, he also recorded several DVD as Tribute to Marvin Santiago with “Puerto Rican Masters”, special recording entitled “Bobby Valentín va a La Cárcel 35th Anniversary”, the Billboard Music Awards 2008 edition, and the last Tribute to Celia Cruz while still alive “Azucar” in 2009, Descarga Boricua, 30th Anniversary of Roy Brown, 50th Anniversary of Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, in 2013. He also had recorded in Movies such as: Under Suspicion, Dance with me, Habana Night and Runner Runner. Kachiro’s last project was with Marc Anthony on his new album and with Luis Enrique on his 25th Anniversary Tour.

In 2013, Kachiro joined the MEINL Percussion family of artists.

William "Kachiro" Thompson was born on July 14, 1970 in Santurce, PR. His father William "Danny" Thompson, who played with Bobby Valentín’s Orchestra during Kachiro’s childhood, was and still is his role model. As early as 8 years old, his father put him on stage to play with the band. From that day on Kachiro has focused on what has fulfilled one of the passions of his life, playing congas.



Kachiro Thompson started his music lessons at Escuela Libre de Música de Hato Rey. The talent that runs through his veins has been polished through practice. His unique style and sound has been the result of constant practice that takes place almost on a daily basis.



Kachiro Thompson's professional career began at age 14 when his first opportunity to record appeared with the Zodiac Orchestra. There have been many artists throughout the years that have been interested in recording Kachiro’s work. Over 300 recording sessions confirm this fact. Some artists to mention are: Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Isaac Delgado, Tommy Olivencia, Tony Vega, Alex D’ Castro, Bobby Valentín, Oscar De León, Cano Estremera, Grupo Niche, Ismael Miranda, Chayanne, Ricardo Arjona, Franco De Vita, Luis Fonsi, Yolandita Monge, among many others. He has been hired constantly by musical producers and/or directors of prestige such as Luis García, José Lugo, Jairo Varela, Cuco Peña, Willie Sotelo, and Sergio George among others. His work has been part of Grammy Award winning productions: Marc Anthony’s "Contra La Corriente" and Elvis Crespo’s "Píntame".



As an independent musician, Kachiro Thompson has played with almost every salsa orchestra in Puerto Rico. Kachiro has taken the rhythm of "el quinto and la tumbadora" beyond Puerto Rico to United States and countries in Central America, South America, Europe and Africa.



Even though salsa is the type of music with he has worked the most, Kachiro Thompson has been invited to work other rhythms doing it with style and ease. He has played Jazz with Luis Marín, Julio Alvarado and Humberto Ramírez; Merengue with Grupo Manía; and Puerto Rican native rhythms such as Plena and Bomba with Plena Libre



Kachiro Thompson has been part of various live events of international significance such as: "El Día Nacional de La Salsa" of PR for several years, Tribute to Marvin Santiago "Puerto Rican Masters", Special recording "Bobby Valentín va a La Cárcel 35th Aniversary", the Billboard Music Awards 2008 edition, and the last Tribute to Celia Cruz while still alive "Azucar".



In the jazz genre Kachiro has played Jazz with Luis Marín, Julio Alvarado, Robert Vilera and Humberto Ramírez, he also participate the PR Heineken Jazz Fest and Puerto Rican native rhythms such as Plena and Bomba with Plena Libre. Throughout his career Kachiro has been part of various live events of international significance such as “El Día Nacional de La Salsa” of PR for several years, he also recorded several DVD as Tribute to Marvin Santiago with “Puerto Rican Masters”, special recording entitled “Bobby Valentín va a La Cárcel 35th Anniversary”, the Billboard Music Awards 2008 edition, and the last Tribute to Celia Cruz while still alive “Azucar” in 2009, Descarga Boricua, 30th Anniversary of Roy Brown, 50th Anniversary of Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, in 2013. He also had recorded in Movies such as: Under Suspicion, Dance with me, Habana Night and Runner Runner. Kachiro’s last project was with Marc Anthony on his new album and with Luis Enrique on his 25th Anniversary Tour.