Tomorrow, Thursday, the Juan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute will present an open-air percussion showcase. The very talented Pakito Baeza will take the stage, delivering a vibrant performance at 8:00 PM in the Shell of Alicante Esplanade, a symbolic outdoor venue that has hosted countless memorable evenings. This event is more than a concert; it is a bridge between a disciplined craft and a broad audience, an attempt to demystify percussion and reveal its power to move crowds when played with precision and passion.
The idea behind this initiative is to bring percussion closer to everyday listeners by pairing it with a renowned professional who has built a long career through collaborations with many notable musicians and DJs from both national and international scenes. The lineup often features prominent names who know how to translate complex rhythm into an accessible, communal experience. The goal is simple: invite people to listen, feel the beat, and discover how percussion shapes mood, energy, and memory in live performance.
He has served as a teacher and regular percussionist at the same educational institution since 1996, enriching the music scene with a steady commitment to technique and musical curiosity. His studies have been heavily influenced by studies conducted in Cuba, where Afro-C Cuban rhythm forms the heartbeat of his approach. The dedication to understanding rhythm in its deepest forms has guided a career that blends discipline with creative exploration, always aiming to connect with audiences beyond traditional concert settings.
Throughout his journey, Pakito Baeza has collaborated with a wide array of flamenco and jazz fusion artists, expanding his repertoire and refining his touch across genres. He has shared stages with esteemed performers and figures from the international music world, constantly pushing the boundaries of percussion from studio work to live improvisation. Those collaborations have not only broadened his stylistic vocabulary but also sharpened his ability to read a room, respond to dancers on stage, and weave percussion into larger sonic narratives. In addition to performing, he has enjoyed opportunities to work with dance ensembles and to explore the intersection of rhythm with movement and expression on stage.
Currently, he offers clinics and master classes in various venues, sharing techniques, histories, and practical insights with aspiring percussionists. He balances this teaching work with continued recording projects and live performances, often collaborating with DJs and dance music producers who appreciate the percussionist’s versatility and sensitivity. The result is a performer who remains curious, technically proficient, and deeply engaged with audiences, guiding listeners through the textures of rhythm and the storytelling potential of percussion.