Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo

Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo born and raised in Cuba, earned his degree in percussion at the National Art School of Havana. Some of his alumni include Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Gonsalo Rubalcaba.

As a professional artist Joaquin has had a successful music career in Cuba. Performing in multiple music events and festivals he shared the stage with some of Cuba's most elite musicians such as Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Emiliano Salvador, Miguel Anga, Juan Pable Torres.

Finally settling in Canada in 1999 Joaquin quickly became emerged into the circle of music by performing with various artists in most of the festivals in the country as well as internationally (Barbados, Montreal, Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival). Other than finding him performing in these venues, Joaquin is also bringing his vast performing experience to the classroom by offering numerous clinics and workshops. As a master Afro-Cuban percussionist, Joaquin has worked closely with other renowned clinicians such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Nii Tettey Tetteh and locally Rick Lazar, Njacko Backo, Hilario Duran. Currently, Joaquin is also the leader and director of the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble "Havana Rumba" and the traditional Cuban music trio "Cubanos". Also, Joaquin has began producing live shows featuring Canada's elite Cuban musicians, most recently the "Rumberos Afro-Cuban Master Sessions" in Toronto on September 26 & 27^th, 2003 and the Distillery Jazz Festival on May 20^th 2004.