Joe Addington

Director of the Pomona College Afro-Cuban Drumming Ensemble, Joe Addington, a long-time percussionist and Afro-Cuban musician, has been fortunate to sit, learn and perform on a regular basis with the most prominent Afro-Cuban masters, including, with the late Francisco Aguabella (from 1987 to 2010), with the late Jesus Pedro Orta Sotolongo (from 1990 to 1999), with the late Jesus Lorenzo Peñalver Sr. (from 1990 to 2015). All were residents of Los Angeles. While living in Los Angeles, Addington has also traveled annually to Cuba, since 1988. Spending most of his time in Matanzas and living with master drummer and drum maker, Esteban Vega Bacallao “Chacha” (1925-2007). With all of these influences and many others, his focus has mainly been pushed toward the Batá Drum, which he has learned to build and maintain as well as play. Addington has also learned and plays many other styles of Afro-Cuban music such as, Olokun, Arara, Iyesa, Guiro, Bembe, Palo, Tumba Francesa and Rumba.

• Performing on a weekly basis in the Southern California area in the Afro-Cuban community for over 20 years
• Addington also works in production for Stevie Wonder, traveling around the world from time to time with him since 2007. He also did a 40 country tour with Jennifer Lopez in 2012 as production assistant