Born in Puerto Rico, San Juan, Giovanni is widely regarded as the greatest conguero (conga player) of his generation. Giovanni has played with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Paul Simon and Carlos Santana to name but a few. Technically flawless, musically peerless, Giovanni has relentlessly pushed the boundaries of what is possible as a percussionist. This is an artist who has changed the way we think about percussion - he has established a new language in the conga playing tradition.

Hidalgo's battle with diabetes has prevented him from working for nearly two years and proceeds from the concert and auction will benefit his medical fund and help provide needed support. Additional funds will be raised via an online Crowd Fund campaign which will feature LP Giovanni Signature Series instruments including Giovanni Hidalgo Galaxy Bongo and Giovanni Hidalgo Wood Djembe in addition to other LP percussion instruments and accessories.

Support the Giovanni Hidalgo Benefit Concert
Tickets for the concert
The CrowdFund campaign, with a full listing of items available.

Giovanni Hidalgo - Show of Hands Fundraiser Promo Video

"My struggles with health have forced me to be protective of my hands, so I have returned to a style of playing that I used in my youth, using the stick and hand technique combined. Similar to the Sabar drumming perfected in Senegal, West Africa.

With an open heart and mind, my spirit of creativity remains strong. I want to use this feeling and creative energy to make a contribution to the legacy of music for the next generation of musicians in the world. It has been nine years since my last performance in London, so I am looking forward to sharing all my love, integrity, loyalty and respect with everyone."
- Giovanni Hidalgo

Giovani Hidalgo began his professional career at the age of 17 with Cuban percussionist José Luis Quintana and within several years he had joined Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra. In 1992, Hidalgo was named adjunct professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where he taught Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, reggae, African and jazz styles of rhythm. Throughout his career, Hidalgo has worked with a wide range of artists including Tito Puente, Art Blakey, Jack Bruce, Mickey Hart, Sammy Hagar, Paul Simon, Charlie Palmieri and Hilton Ruiz among others. His innovation and ceaseless hard work has changed the art, concept and technique of conga playing, taking percussion to new heights.

Sponsored by Latin Percussion (LP) and Gewa Music, this is a not-for-profit benefit concert in honour of Giovanni and his lifetime achievements.

Support the Giovanni Hidalgo Benefit Concert
Tickets for the concert
The CrowdFund campaign, with a full listing of items available.

About Latin Percussion (LP)
Founded in 1964, Latin Percussion (LP) is the largest hand percussion instrument brand in the world. The company offers an extensive line of hand percussion instruments and percussion accessories including patented designs such as the Jam Block®, Ridge Rider Cowbell® and Egg Shaker. Many of the world’s top artists play LP including: Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Karl Perazzo, Stewart Copeland, Steve Gadd, Travis Barker, Mike Portnoy and Cindy Blackman-Santana among others. For more information, visit lpmusic.com

About Gewa Music International
Headquartered in Adorf, Germany, Gewa Music International has been one a top distributor of musical instruments and accessories since 1925. With subsidiaries in all important export markets and shares in Asian factories of musical instruments, Gewa maintains is a global leader in musical instrument production, product management, sales, purchasing, administration, accounting and marketing. Distributed brands include Latin Percussion (LP), DW Drums, Gretsch Drums, Ovation Guitars and Paiste Cymbals among many other notable brands, visit Gewamusic.com