ARTIST: Tito De Gracia Naoka Jam
TITLE: Atmosphere
LABEL: Self Produced
GENRE: Jazz
BITRATE: 202kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 57min total
RELEASE DATE: 2007-00-00
RIP DATE: 2007-08-24
TRACK LIST
1. Atmosfera 6:47
2. In The Darkness 0:33
3. Borinfonkeando 5:24
4. She's Michelle 5:44
5. Cymbalatin 0:29
6. Pensando En Ti 5:24
7. Estoy Celoso 4:55
8. Noche De Otono 5:46
9. Ni La Primera, Ni La Ultima 4:46
10.Simple Bella 5:45
11.Capullito De Aleli 6:43
12.Caramelo 5:40
RELEASE NOTES
Latin Jazz with mix "HOT" Carribean "Ritmos". Think Tito Puente, Mongo
Santamaria & Poncho Sanchez
Rafael "Tito" De Gracia was born on April 4, 1962 in Villa Palmeras, Santurce a
suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Even though there were no musicians in his inmidiate family, his parents and
sisters (Rafael and Maria, his older sisters
Marisol and Grisselle) were always listening to latin and tropical music, this
influenced him and to choose percussion as his specialty.
He started playing tumbadoras when he was five and by twelve he was playing
bongoes and timbales. At age fourteen he started to study the trumpet at Luis
Llorens Torres Community Center in Santurce, Puerto Rico and percussion at
Escuela Libre de M·sica in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
During his early adolescence he was the percussionist for the group "Los
Chiquitines Del Son", under direction of know guitarist Maximo Torres. From 1978
to 1980 he was timbalero for group "Maldades" directed by pianist Archie
Pereira.
From 1980 to 1982 Tito played tumbadoras with the "San Juan"
orchestra under direction of saxofonist Hector L≤pez, this
orchestra played the music of the Machito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodrφguez
ochestras. From this orchestra he went on to play tumbadoras with the
"Panamericana" orchestra under the
direction of trumpetist Carlos "Coamito" Rodrφguez from 1982
to 1984.
During 1985 to 1990 he became timbalero player for Roberto Roena's "Apollo
Sound" and bongo player for Carlos "El Cano"
Estremera's Orchestra. From 1990 to 1999 Tito became the timbalero of Andy
Monta±ez orchestra, and from the year 1999
to present he is playing with the Michael Stuart orchestra
where he plays acombination of timbales and drums. He is also playing with
"Truco y Zaperoco" as well as "Rumbantela"
groups, where he performs with Oskar Cartaya (bass), Edsel G≤mez (piano), David
Rosado Cuba (percussion), Frankie PΘrez
(sax), Humberto Ramφrez (trumpet and flugel horn) and Eguie Castrillo
(percussion). He also plays batß drums, minor percussion and key board.
During the last decades Tito De Gracia has been part of recorded with different
orchestras in different music genres.
In the "Salsa" genre he has recorded with such notables as Tito Allen, Mark
Anthony, Luisito Carri≤n, Willie Col≤n, Celia Cruz, Charlie Cruz, Luis Enrique,
"Cano" Estremera, Trina Medina, Jery Medina, Ismael Miranda, Andy Monta±ez,
Jerry Rivera, Eddie Santiago, Cheo Feliciano and Michael Stuart.
In the "Caribbean Fusion" genre he records with "Truco y Zaperoco".
In the "Tropical" genre he has recorde with Ricardo Arjona,
Chayanne, Yolandita Monje, Ednita Nazario, Ricky Martin, Franco de Vita, Lourdes
Robles, and Chayanne.
In the Latin Jazz he has worked and continues to work with
panist Papo Luca, flautists David Valentin, Nestor Torres,
and the trumpetist Humberto Ramφrez.
In the "Sacred Music" genre he has worked with singer Ezequiel Col≤n and his
orchestra, as well as with the David and Abraham "Religious Salsa" orchestra.
Since 1996 Tito directs his own group originally named "Seven Knights", now
called "Naoka Jam" with this group he recently released his debut CD title "My
Latin Roots" under his own label, ONC Records.
Tito is currently following the footsteps of music industry veterans Garth
Brooks and Ruben Blades. He has total control of his recordings, arragements,
and distribution of his musical material. As well as his publicity.
Multifaceted and talented he also teaches percussion to children and adults.