About Anthony Carrillo

Anthony Carrillo was born in “El Barrio”, New York City. Since his childhood, he expressed a special interest in music. His father, Mr. Roman "Don Nan" Carrillo, was his first teacher. Through his father, Anthony Carrillo was exposed to the music of "Ramito" (one of the greatest exponents of folkloric music in Puerto Rico) and Rafael Cortijo. Anthony’s first influences became "Papi Andino" (Ramito's Bongo Player) and Roberto Roena (Cortijo's bongo player).

When he was only eight years old, Anthony Carrillo's family returned to Puerto Rico. It was then that his father asked David "La Mole" Ortiz, who was considered one of the best Rumberos in Puerto Rico, to teach his son the techniques and patterns of the Rumba. At age 13, Anthony was already part of the touring National folkloric group Areyto, directed by Mrs. Irene McLean. During the early 80’s, Anthony Carrillo became a member of the famous folkloric group, La familia Cepeda, the foremost exponents and keepers of the traditional styles "Bomba" and "Plena."

In 1985, Anthony Carrillo moved to New York to study under Orlando Alfonso Rios “Puntilla”, one of the foremost Cuban Rumba leaders in New York, the godson of Andrés Chacón and member of Folklor Nacional de Cuba. From 1985 to 1989, Anthony intensively studied all the fundamental patterns involved in the Santería religion under “Puntilla’s” tutelage

From 1996 through 2002, Anthony Carrillo released 3 CD’s featuring the historic first ever recordings of Rumba from Puerto Rico produced by Puerto Rican singer, Rafael Lopez Díaz, “Paipet”.

Since 2005, Anthony participated in various theatrical and musical productions produced by Pregones/PRTT (Puerto Rican Traveling Theater) under the direction of Rosalba Rolón and musical director, Desmar Guevara including the famed production of “I Like it Like That” with famed latin singers, Tito Nieves and Domingo Quiñones.

In 2017, Anthony performed at the Latin Grammy’s with Puerto Rican artist, Residente after recording bongo on the Grammy award winning, “Hijos del Cañaveral”.

In 2018, his latin jazz group, AA team released 2 original singles featuring Mr. Carrillo on bongo and drumset as well as vocals. That same year, his big band, YÁMBAWA released an EP featuring originals and English pop standards infused with diverse latin rhythms.

In 2021, Anthony participated in the Planet Drum Project, founded by Mickey Hart (original percussionist of Grateful Dead) including original members Zakir Hussain (Indian tabla player), Giovanni Hidalgo (latin percussionist), Sikiru Adepoju (Nigerian percussionist)

Other notable artists he has performed with include, Andres Jimenez, Kip Hanrahan, Eddie Palmeri, Descarga Boricua, Angel Olmos, Alex Acuña and Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours, as well as many others.

On December 17, 2022, Francis Mercier, owner of MOPERC reached out to Anthony Carrillo and began a promising artist/artisan collaboration. He performs exclusively with MOPERC percussion instruments and is working closely with artisan, Francis Mercier on further developing MOPERC’s series of Puerto Rican and Cuban percussion.