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Ismael Cancel Villafane

Puerto Rico

Calle 13

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Ismael is at present one of the most competent, active and trained musicians from a new generation of young Puerto Rican drummers and percussionists; with vast experience in Brazilian and African-Cuban music, as well as folkloric Bomba and Plena.  He has been constantly contributing and representing Puerto Rican folk, through presentations in very prestigious events, both, within and outside Puerto Rico, including performances of his native music, as well as other genres such as Jazz and Pop.  In addition to being a renown excellent drummer and percussionist, he also does lead, second and backing vocals.

His musical formation started during his very early years, playing the flute for the first time when he was only five years old. At eight, he started Piano lessons and at ten (10) he made a change of heart to percussion and drums. From there on, he began performing, during four consecutive years, in different events for the Holy Week Programs of the Santa Bernardita Church, celebrated at the Centro de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Center) Puerto Rico. This all accompanied by distinguished professional musicians and arrangers from his native Island, under the direction of Maestro José Rafael Acevedo. He continued his studies, venturing with the Clarinet, never abandoning his two great passions: the drums and percussion.

From 2001 to 2004, Ismael was the drummer of Bayanga -a band with a fusion of folkoric music from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean- from which he was also a co-founder. During this time, he was able to develop his knowledge of percussion as well as of African-Caribbean and Brazilian music.  He performed live in various festivals in California, such as: Reggae on the River, Sierra Nevada World Music Fest, Monterrey Reggae Festival, Universidad del Estado de Chico and Fresno Reggae Festival.  In 2004, under the label Ras Records, Bayanga presented its first musical production, wherein he played the drums, some percussion sessions, and also performed second vocals.

Joined by other percussionists, he founded Los Malucos, one of Puerto Rico’s first Batucadas, performing uninterruptedly during six (6) years on all kinds of local events; becoming an inspiration for countless of Batucadas that are currently playing throughout Island.  Los Malucos gave him the opportunity of performing with Diego Torres, at El Escambrón, Puerto Rico (2004) and Los Cafres, from Argentina (Tito Puente Amphitheatre, Puerto Rico, 2002).

His artistic career climbed a new footstep on 2005, when he was made part of Calle 13, as drummer, percussionist, and backing vocal.  To date the band has conquered 10 Latin Grammys, including Album of the year In 2009, and one American Grammy.  As a member of Calle 13, he has been on stage with many of the finest top artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Shakira, Maná, Nelly Furtado, Rubén Blades, Gustavo Santaolalla, Café Tacvba and Orishas, among many others.

Some of the stages on which he has performed:

  • Madison Square Garden, NYC
  • Summer Stage Central Park, NYC
  • The Puerto Rican Parade, NYC
  • Inauguration MTV3 Calle 13 and Nelly Furtado, Times Square, NYC
  • Hard Rock Live Orlando, FL
  • House of Blues, Hollywood, CA
  • Premios Juventud, Miami, FL
  • The Forum, Los Angeles, CA
  • José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum,  PR
  • MTV Latin Awards, Mexico City (2006)
  • Vive Latino Festival, Mexico City (2007)
  • Alma Awards 2007, Pasadena CA
  • Sonar Festival 2007, Barcelona, Spain
  • Roxy Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Arena México, Mexico
  • Latin Grammys, Calle 13 in collaboration with Orishas and Stomp, Las Vegas, NV
  • B-Live 2007 (NYC)
  • B-Live 2008 (LA)
  • Viña del Mar Festival 2008, Chile
  • Club Junior Córdoba, Argentina
  • Salta, Argentina
  • Rosario, Argentina
  • Peñarol Palace, Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Claro de la Canción Peruana (Peruvian Song Claro Festival), Lima Peru
  • Movistar Festival, Panama City, Panama
  • Caracas Venezuela
  • Claridad Festival, San Juan, PR
  • New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
  • Bogotá, Colombia
  • Fundación ALAS Concert, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Aguaviva 2008 Festival, Tenerife, Spain
  • Aguaviva 2008 Festival, Gran Canarias, Spain
  • BAM Festival, Barcelona, Spain
  • Nokia Theatre, NYC
  • Nokia Live Los Angeles CA
  • La Covacha, Miami, FL
  • Circo Price Theatre, Madrid, Spain

Some TV presentations:

  • No te Duermas - Channel 2 PR
  • Cultura Viva - Channel 6 PR
  • Show del Mediodí - Channel 4 PR
  • Anda Pa’l Cará - Channel 11 PR
  • MTV 3 - USA
  • Premios Juventud - USA
  • Latin Grammys 2007 - USA
  • MTV Latin Awards - USA
  • Electoral Campaign - MTV USA
  • El Show de Susana Gimenez - Argentina
  • Latin Grammys 2009, Calle 13 featuring Ruben Blades and Mystere, Las Vegas NV

As a member of Calle 13 he is now traveling on their World Tour, with scheduled shows in the United States including a House of Blues upcoming USA tour, South America, Central America, Spain, Italy, London and Egypt, among others.
 
At the time, he is simultaneously working on the creation of Puerto Rico’s first percussion school, Calle 13’s next album, and of course, continuing his studies in percussion.  This all evidences once more that Ismael Cancel Villafañe is one of today’s most active and promising drummers in Puerto Rico, The Island of Enchantment.
 
Music Videos:

  • Calle 13o   La jirafaSe vale to’
  • No hay igual
  • El Tango del Pecado
  • La Cumbia de los Aburridos
  • La Perla (Best video of the Year, Latin Grammys 2009)
  • Fiesta de Locos (provided on dvd)
  • Bayangao   Solo los locos
 
Recording Expierience: (provided on dvd)
 
  • Calle 13: “Los de atrás vienen conmigo” 2009 (Sony)(Latin Grammy Winner)
  • Calle 13:” Residente o Visitante 2007(Latin Grammy Winner)(Sony)
  • Calle 13: “Calle 13”, 2005 (Latin Grammy Winner)(Sony)
  • Bayanga: “Bayanga” 2002 (Ras Record)

Up to today, Calle 13 has 10 Latin Grammys and 2 Grammys… for a total of 12 with three albums**
 
**Calle 13’s 2010 Tour will include: Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico,  Venezuela, Spain, Cuba, Brazil and many more including Coachella 2010, Rock In Río 2010 in Madrid and Vive Latino 2010 in Mexico!