THE THREE STICK DRUMMER
A Bridge Between Playing and Teaching
Enildo Rasúa
M.MUS, B.MUS.
He is a specialist in the pedagogy and research of Afro-Cuban music and Latin Jazz.
Described as "an incredibly musical percussionist" and with an "impressive and uncommon sense of coordination and independence," Enildo Rasua is a percussionist, drummer, teacher, and researcher based in New Jersey.
He received his degree in symphonic percussion and Afro-Cuban culture from the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA), where he studied with the great percussion master Justo Pelladito, percussionist and direct heir to the deepest tradition of Afro-Cuban folklore.
He also studied Afro-Cuban percussion with Tomás Jimeno, a folklorist and researcher specialized in Afro-Cuban percussion. In addition, he studied flamenco music with singer Maite Martín at the Taller de Música de Barcelona and obtained a Master's degree in Jazz and Afro-Peruvian percussion at New Jersey City University.
Passionate about music and teaching, he has taught at prestigious specialized schools and universities such as the Music University Superior of Cuba, the conservatories of Perpinya and Narbonne (France) and at L'AULA (Berklee Int. Network), and the Amadeo Roldan National Conservatory where notable Afro-Cuban jazz figures such as Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval and Gonzalo Rubalcaba graduated. He was also a professor at the national training school for professional musicians, Ignacio Cervantes. He collaborated in the creation of the percussion study plans and programs of the Cuban Teaching System (DEA), where he also gave seminars and training courses for percussion and drums teachers all over the country.
Along with Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, he was part of the Benny Morè Popular Music Chair of the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA), which grouped musicians and researchers considered relevant for Cuban music, today reconverted into the Juan Formell Chair.
Because of his wisdom and culture, Enildo has a special ability to awaken interest in learning in students. He has trained hundreds of students from a very early age, many of whom have gone on to have relevant careers, as is the case of Eugenio Doria (Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval), Arturo Stable (Paquito D'Rivera, UCLA, Esperanza Spalding), Oliver Valdes (Afro Cuban All Star, Cachao), Ramses Rodriguez (Chucho Valdes, Buena Vista Social Club), Isel Rasua (Emiliano Salvador), Inor Sotolongo (Andy Narell, Daniela Mercury) or Fernando Favier (Joaquín Cortés, Concha Buika, Angelique Kidjo).
Creator of the mind-blowing "Third Hand" technique, Latin Jazz percussionist Enildo Rasúa is an innovator extraordinaire who’s been performing globally for three decades. Anyone who’s seen him play is an instant fan - a recent clip of Rasúa playing garnered 20,000 Facebook views in its first week. Grammy award-winning percussionist Alex Acuna (Weather Report, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson) calls Rasua "an incredible gift of music", and (...) he is an innovator (...) I do not hesitate to highlight the superior qualities of Enildo as a musician (Sic.)
Rasua’s style and sound are unique. Classically trained, he’s a powerhouse of Afro-Cuban soul and Latin groove and yet he has the exquisite, light touch of a classical technician. Growing up in Eastern Cuba to a family of mixed African and Spanish heritage, Rasúa’s childhood was infused with the beats that form modern Salsa music and American soul, blues, and rock that flowed on the airwaves. An avid collaborator, Rasúa is a master of Cuban musical traditions, including Son Cubano, Changüí, Salsa, Rumba, Tumba Francesa and Abakuá. To this mélange, Rasua adds his cutting edge “Third Hand” technique: he plays drums with THREE sticks, while his feet play additional rhythms, for an astounding SEVEN different rhythms at once. The result is otherworldly, leading one French critic to call Rasua “the alien drummer".
With his formidable training, Rasúa became a dynamic performer, as passionate about rhythms and arrangements as he was with connecting with the audience. He was at once explosive, funky, playful, and tender – Rasúa mesmerized audiences and was in high demand in Cuba. He was the drummer for the top 80’s Latin pop band, Grupo Montespuma. Also, he was the drummer for Nicolas Reynoso's Latin Jazz group and performed with Latin Jazz innovator Bobby Carcacés and Rumba stars Clave y Guaguancó. He played with the legendary Orquesta de Cabaret Tropicana as well as the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional. As principal percussionist with Orquesta Cubana de Radio y Televisión, Rasúa played in festivals, on radio, TV and film soundtracks, and accompanied music legends such as Omara Portuondo, Ibrahím Ferrer, Elena Burque, Celina González, Michel Legrand and Johnny Mandel.
Rasúa headlined at multiple, critically acclaimed Encuentros de Percusión in Barcelona, collaborating with bassist Carlos Benavent (Paco de Lucia) and Flamenco guitarist Chicuelo. Relocating to Spain in 1997, Rasúa and his now mastered “Third Hand” method were to be in high demand in Europe. Expressing his versatility, he played with diverse artists, including famed Flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés, Indian superstar percussionist Trilok Gurtu, Senegalese world music group Tukupa, Indian/Jazz fusion group Tasama Project, and Flamenco/Jazz fusion Cajonmania. He performed with Jazz and Classical orchestras, including Croatia’s Jazzorchestar de Zagreb and Camerata de Saint Cugat del Valles.
Rasúa is capable of transcribing even the fiercest rhythms by ear and has written eighteen incredible books on Afro-Cuban percussion.
He made his US debut in 2013 to rave reviews at New York’s Jazz Standard with a new Enildo Rasua Quartet (Troy Roberts on saxophone, Ben Winkelman on piano, Ricky Rodriguez on bass). Rasúa has performed with Alex Acuña, Giovanni Hidalgo, Meme Solís, Juan-Carlos Formell, Robbie Ameen, Joe Berger and Ritmosis, among others.
Rasúa was invited to Los Angeles to perform his "Third Hand" technique on Terry Bozio's show on Drumchannel.com. Bozzio, Rasúa, and Alex Acuña also thrilled fans with a live jam session.
With a devoted fan following around the world, Rasua is a master of “la Calle” who uses his “Third Hand” to bring a completely new twist on Latin Jazz. Whether he's playing solo, swinging with his group, or playing in an ensemble piece, Enildo Rasua’s “The Third Hand” will blow you away.
