Anthony Carrillo

About Anthony Carrillo

Master percussionist Anthony Carrillo comes from proud musical Puerto Rican heritage. Although probably most well-known for his performances with the famous LP artist and childhood friend, Giovanni Hidalgo.

Mr. Carrillo has performed with numerous renowned musicians throughout his career including Eddie Palmieri, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paul Simon and Harry Belafonte as well as being an integral member of the outstanding percussion based ensemble, Batacumbele and, in contrast, the Puerto Rican metal band, PUYA. Piano legend Eddie Palmieri has referred to Mr. Carrillo as “the best bongocero in the universe.”

Under his own name Anthony Carrillo has released 3 CD’s featuring the historic first ever recordings of rumba from Puerto Rico. More recent performances include the off Broadway musical “I Like it Like That” 2017, and recording bongo with Puerto Rican artist Residente on his recent track “Hijos del Cañaveral”.

In April 2018, his latin jazz group AA team released 2 original singles featuring Mr. Carrillo on bongo and drumset as well as vocals. In August 2018, his dance band YÁMBAWA released a four track EP featuring originals and English pop standards infused with Spanish rap. He has said that these 2 productions have formed his most prolific and inspired body of work yet in his career.

Anthony Carrillo was born of Puerto Rican heritage in New York City. Since his childhood, he expressed a special interest in music. His father, Mr. Roman “Don Nan” Carrillo, was his first teacher. Through his father, Anthony Carrillo was exposed to the music of “Ramito” (one of the greatest exponents of folkloric music in Puerto Rico) and Rafael Cortijo. Anthony’s first influences became “Papi Andino” (Ramito’s Bongo Player) and Roberto Roena (Cortijo’s bongo player).
When he was only nine years old, Anthony Carrillo’s family returned to Puerto Rico. It was then that his father asked David Ortiz “La Mole,” who was considered one of the best Rumberos in Puerto Rico, to teach his son the techniques and patterns of the Rumba. At age 13, Anthony was already part of the touring National folkloric group Areyto, directed by Mrs. Irene Mcleane.

During the early 80’s, Anthony Carrillo became a member of the famous folkloric group, La familia Cepeda, the foremost exponents and keepers of the traditional styles “Bomba” and “Plena.”