Carlos Benitez
Today CARLOS BENITEZ is one of the most visible and influential Rock Drummers to come out of Puerto Rico into the international Latin music scene. His current gig as the driving force behind international certified platinum award winner singer Luis Fonsi (Universal Records) has taken Carlos to stages around the world and every major Latin music award ceremony, Showcasing a solid and confident style, stamped by an energetic stage presence that makes him a focal point and a favorite wherever he performs. With the Luis Fonsi Band Carlos has performed to sold out crowds in places like Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Santo Domingo, Spain, Chicago, California, Arizona, Miami, Orlando, New York, Huston, Atlanta, Austin, Las Vegas, Costa Rica, Panama and Puerto Rico. Headlining a show in which he takes over the audience during his striking drum solo. Also this year Carlos got to expose his sound and presence to millions of viewers as he with the Fonsi band score great live performances at the three biggest Latin Music Awards shows in the world broadcast in more than ten countries, Premios Tu Música held at the American Airlines Arena in Miami where Fonsi got artist of the year, Billboards awards where Fonsi walked with Artist and Song of the year and the Latin Grammy’s held at the Madison Square Garden in New York, with two nominations this is one of the most memorable live TV performances for the band which featured Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top on guitar.
Carlos influence by music started early in his life, his mother was an Opera singer from Argentina who was always singing around the house and playing Argentinean popular music and zarzuela records on their house stereo. Fascinated by music at a young age Carlos started collecting records and listening to music all the time. In sixth grade he became the DJ for his school parties. At that time he started to get into bands like Journey and Santana. A few years later he got to experience music in a way that changed his life, his friend’s big sister took them to see their first rock concert, It was Santana on the Shango Tour in Puerto Rico, where the guys in the band that didn’t play drums or percussion brought out floor toms and made this big drum ensemble during Michel Shrieve drum solo. Carlos got so motivated by what he saw and heard that a couple of weeks later after sitting on a drumset for the first time, he sold all his dj gear and got himself his first set of drums, a year from that day he was in his first band. With serious interest and a notable natural talent for the drums, at age 16 he got his first professional kit as a gift from his mother, it was a Slingerland set he had his eyes on for a while. At that time he started to attend private lessons with prominent local drummers like David Ruiz and Falet. Later he got a job as an assistant to the P.R Conservatory of Music percussion program director, Prof: Alicea. There he learned how to deal with all sources of percussion instruments plus learning the foundations of drumming and percussion as well. At that time Carlos was heavily influenced by drummers like John Bonham the music of Led Zeppelin, Neil Peart, and The Police. And started to lean more towards fusion stuff like frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage and Billy Cobham.
After years of dedication to drumming and music at age 20 Carlos co founded and produced Mattador (Escape Music, Europe) The first Rock band from Puerto Rico to get international attention, hitting the charts in places like Belgium, Italy, France and The UK, getting great reviews and covers in European music magazines like Rock Time, Frontline, Rock Report & Kerrang, And got to work alongside bands like Aerosmith and Iron Maiden among others. After this Carlos went to join Puerto Ricos best progressive Rock fusion trio La Mosca. With this gig and his outstanding performance on their second cd Carlos reestablished his place as one of P.R most prominent and visible drummers. While in La Mosca C.B made videos for MTV Latin and worked with International artist such as Robi Draco Rosa, Molotov, Cafe Tacuva and got the rewarding experience of nailing the drummer seat for Guitarist Steve Vai (Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake) P.R clinic tour. Since then Carlos has been touring recording and making videos for some of P.R best known local and international artists such as Grammy winner Vico-C, Malas Manas, Radio Pirata, Luis Rojas, Yanina, Si Senor, Wilkins, Zuly Diaz, Ongo, Duques del Vallenato, Tapiz, Denario and Tribe among others.
Today besides his busy schedule with The Luis Fonsi Band which new recording and world tour is on the works. Carlos is appearing regularly with international artists such as Ricardo Montaner (EMI) Alexander Pires (Sony Music) Reik and many others on TV shows like Anda pal Cara, Que Suerte and the international Spanish version for American Idol, Objetivo Fama. Also he’s working with successful Latin rock singer Gustavo Laureano (La Secta all-star) solo project (Universal). Tapiz a Fusion band featuring world renowned percussion virtuoso Anthony Carrillo. Rehearsing for La Mosca reunion, plus working with his band Soundish Monks and his first performance DVD.
Nowadays Carlos feels very fortunate for the way his hard work and perseverance are starting to pay of. But there is so much more to do he says. (Drums and music is a nonstop growing art and there is so much to acknowledge. There are countless alternatives and space for everybody. One just has to find a voice and harvest it until it becomes yours. )