Eguie Castrillo and His Orchestra

Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Eguie Castrillo first showed hints of musical ability playing a tiny organ in his parents' living room. Castrillo began playing the timbales at age 7, profoundly influenced by the music of the great bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente. These days, Castrillo is a high demand percussionist and an authority on the rhythms of the Caribbean countries Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

When Castrillo's role model Tito Puente passed away in 2000, he decided to bring the mambo back with new touches. He put together an orchestra for the Latin Big Band concert at the Berklee Performance Center in November 2004. The orchestra played again at Berklee's Performance Center for a full house, doing a show called Latin Meets Jazz, and it also played at Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's Inaugural Ceremony to an audience of 10,000. 

See the full Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival schedule.