Gustavo Ovalles

percussion, traditional Venezuelan percussion

Venezuelan percussionist and composer born in 1967 who settled in Europe in 1997 to explore the European roots of Venezuelan music. Known for his mastery of traditional Venezuelan instruments and his work bridging jazz, world music, and traditional styles, he has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Birdland, and the Blue Note, collaborating with artists such as David Murray, Omar Sosa, and Yilian Cañizares.