Biography
Julito Padrón, (Julio Enrique Padrón Veranes) originally from Matanzas, Cuba, (April, 1971) started playing the trumpet from the age of 9 years. After training in Pinar del Rio and later in Havana’s musical conservatories (1991) Julio started his artistic career with the renowned singer and multi-instrument player Bobby Carcassés. Later he joined Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, however, Julito really made his name as a member of Chucho Valdes’ Irakere.
Julito Padrón is right now widely recognized in the world as one of the most promising jazz musicians coming out of Cuba. After making his debut with IRAKERE, Julito started developing his own repertoire and assembling his own group. Alumni of the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Padrón anchors his art in the Cuban musical tradition. His professional career includes working with masters Ignacio Piñeiro and Adalberto Alvarez. As outside influences, Julio Padrón acknowledges American jazz and Brazilian music. His first Album “Descarga Santa” (2000 – Real Rhythm) “Julio Padrón, y los amigos de Santa Amalia” was a real highlight in the Cuban music scene. His second Album, Buenas Noticias” (2001 – Sunnyside) was featured in two leading jazz magazines accredited with four stars. This album fuses the unique rhythm Mozambique, Cha cha cha and also some Afro-Cuban rumba elements. His third album “Caridad” is inspired by memories of traveling while on tour with main rhythms on the album being Danzon and Son predominately. Throughout his career Julito has collaborated on many album productions in Cuba and has toured around world.
Julio Padrón has been touring all of Europe since 2002 with various musicians of the calibre of Arístides Soto (Tata Güines), José Luis Quintana (Changuito), lead by Rodolfo Chacón. He has also toured the USA with Juan de Marcos González ( Afro Cuban All Stars) and with Chucho Valdés at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York and with Count Base with the late timbales maestro Tito Puente. Not to know Julio Enrique Padrón as one of the leaders in the Cuban music scene is almost a crime.