Joel Santiago | SoultoneCymbals.com

Joel Santiago

Joel Santiago

Joel Santiago is a drummer and Latin percussionist, among other artistic mediums.
Joel began playing percussion at the age of three, played drums in the church on Sundays by the age of six, and started receiving professional instruction in drums, music studies and theory at the age of twelve, in Victor Litz in Maryland where his dad taught guitar. After a year long of lessons with Instructor John Zidar, Joel was admitted to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC where he majored drums and percussion in the music department under Francis Thompson and David Yarborol. From that time, Joel honed the craft taking lessons and advice from his mentors Carlos Caro, Alfredo Mojica, Renee Ibanez, “Fish” Howard, Lester Wallace and Masaga Wolf. Joel has also studied at Towson University under Frank Russo. Joel has performed and recorded drums and percussion extensively on his projects and alongside others, in the genres of Jazz, Reggae, Gospel, Salsa, Bachata, and R&B. Some of the people he has worked with include Il'a Benjamin and Ila Vibez Band, Roots Radics, Khalid Thompson, Benito Gonzales, Theljon Allen, Herb Scott, Clarence Ward III, Leonardo Lucini, Sin Miedo Salsa Orchestra, Bachata Plus, Laura Sousa, Alfredo Mojica and Friends, Antonio Luis Orta, Jorga Mesfinband Mulato Astatke’s Asli Ethio-jazz. Joel has also played leading roles in productions featuring some of the areas most prominent producers including Blaqstar, Kariz Marcel, Jay “Funk” Carter, Nate Middleman, Jim Fox, Ricky "Swan" Richardson and Joe Cooper. Joel's leadership has been responsible for formulating diverse groups in different genres to cover venues ranging from gospel, latin and jazz, to reggae, hip-hop and contemporary R&B. Joel is co-director of Rufftone Productions, where he works alongside master engineer and producer Ricky “Swan” Richardson. His goal is not only to create quality music, but to provide professional quality music production as a service on an audio, video, and media level by formulating diverse teams to approach projects with a distinct taste and authenticity.

My Soultone Set: 

20" Abby Ride
18" Abby Crash
16" Abby Crash
14" Abby Hi Hat Pair