Carlos “Nené” Quintero
Venezuelan Percussion Master
For over four decades, Carlos “Nené” Quintero has been one of the most respected percussionists in Venezuela and Latin America. With a profound mastery of Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and jazz fusion, his versatility has led him to collaborate with a rich variety of artists from pop, salsa, jazz, and electronic music. His unique percussion style transcends genres and generations, bridging traditional music with global genres.
History & Musical Evolution
Recent Years: Continued Innovation
In recent years, Carlos “Nené” Quintero has continued to innovate and collaborate across musical boundaries. His work on “El Arte de Soledad Bravo” (2015) showcases his ability to enhance classic Latin American songs with his distinctive rhythmic sensibility. He has also contributed to tracks like “Dios en la Naturaleza” on the album “Irrepetible” (2021) and “María Eugenia” on “Palacumbe” (2016). His collaborations with Aquiles Báez and C4 Trío on “A mis hermanos” demonstrate his ongoing relevance and adaptability in the contemporary music scene. From intimate studio recordings to massive international tours, Nené Quintero continues to be a dynamic force in Latin music, with performances alongside artists ranging from Celia Cruz to Louie Vega of Masters at Work.
Notable Collaborations
Solo Projects & Recordings
Notable Solo Contributions
“Dios en la Naturaleza (God in the Nature)”
Featured on the album Irrepetible (2021), this track highlights Quintero’s percussive expertise in a spiritual and reflective composition.
“María Eugenia”
A collaboration featured on the album Palacumbe (2016), demonstrating his ability to blend traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds.
El Arte de Soledad Bravo. Boleros, Tangos y Algo Más (2015)
Tracks including “Gracias a la Vida”, “Volver, Volver”, “Ella”, “Arrastrando la Cobija”, “Paloma Negra”, “Son Desangrado”, “De Que Callada Manera”, “Ojos Malignos”, “Yolanda”, “Para Vivir”, “Gottingen” – where Quintero’s percussion adds depth to classic Latin American songs.
“Moliendo Café”
Featured on Tributo a Los Compositores Venezolanos Vol. 1, this piece pays homage to Venezuelan composers, with Quintero’s rhythms driving the tribute.
Nequin Group
In the early 2000s, Carlos “Nené” Quintero founded the Nequin Group, a jazz quintet based in France. The group blends Afro-Venezuelan rhythms with jazz fusion, showcasing Quintero’s innovative approach to percussion.
Album: Baticonga
Released in 2004, Baticonga features compositions that merge traditional Venezuelan percussion with contemporary jazz elements. The album includes contributions from musicians such as Lilian Bencini (bass), Boris Sudre (guitar), and Christian Noël (engineer).
These recordings are accessible on major streaming platforms such as Apple Music and TIDAL, allowing listeners worldwide to experience Quintero’s solo artistry.
Live Performances
Percussion Style & Technique
Afro-Venezuelan Mastery
Carlos “Nené” Quintero is distinguished his profound mastery of Afro-Venezuelan percussion traditions, particularly the complex polyrhythms of the country’s African-derived musical heritage. His technique encompasses traditional instruments such as the quitiplás (bamboo tubes), cumaco drums, and culo’puya (long drums), all played with remarkable precision and cultural authenticity.
What sets Quintero apart is his ability to maintain the essence of these traditional percussion styles while adapting them to contemporary musical contexts. This bridging of worlds—traditional and modern, Venezuelan and global—has made him an invaluable contributor to countless recording sessions and live performances across genres.
“Rhythm is not just about keeping time; it’s about telling stories that words cannot express.”
Versatility Across Genres
Nené Quintero’s versatility is evident in his adaptability across musical genres. From the traditional Venezuelan rhythms of his early career with Grupo PAN and Grupo Madera to jazz fusion with the Nequin Group, and from pop collaborations with Franco de Vita to electronic music experiments with Louie Vega, his percussion voice remains distinctive yet perfectly integrated.
Signature Elements:
- Rhythmic Complexity – Layering multiple time signatures and feels
- Dynamic Control – Exceptional range from whisper-soft to thunderous
- Timbral Variety – Extracting numerous sounds from each instrument
- Melodic Percussion – Creating tuneful phrases within rhythmic patterns
- Cultural Synthesis – Blending Venezuelan traditions with global influences
Instrumental Expertise
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Preserving Venezuelan Rhythms
Carlos “Nené” Quintero’s most significant contribution to musical culture has been his role in preserving and promoting Afro-Venezuelan rhythmic traditions. Through his work with Grupo Madera and the broader Quintero family musical legacy, he has helped maintain these cultural expressions while simultaneously evolving them for contemporary audiences.
His mastery of traditional percussion instruments like the quitiplás and cumaco has brought these sounds to international stages and recordings, educating global audiences about Venezuela’s rich percussive heritage. As an ambassador of these rhythms, Nené has ensured that these traditions remain vibrant and relevant in the modern musical landscape.
Influence on Modern Percussionists
Nené Quintero’s technical mastery and stylistic versatility have influenced a generation of percussionists both in Venezuela and internationally. His ability to seamlessly integrate traditional rhythms into contemporary musical settings has created a template for modern percussionists seeking to honor their roots while exploring new sonic territories.
His extensive discography across multiple genres serves as an educational resource for students of percussion, demonstrating how traditional techniques can be applied in pop, jazz, electronic, and classical contexts. Through his performances and recordings, Quintero has helped elevate percussion from a supporting role to a central expressive voice in ensemble settings.
Educational Impact
Beyond his performing career, Carlos “Nené” Quintero has contributed to percussion education through workshops, masterclasses, and informal mentoring of younger musicians. His approach emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also cultural understanding of the rhythms’ origins and significance.
By sharing his knowledge of Afro-Venezuelan traditions alongside his experience in global music scenes, Quintero has helped build bridges between cultural preservation and musical innovation. His legacy continues through the many percussionists who have studied his techniques and approach to rhythm.
The Artist in His Own Words
“Rhythm is not just about keeping time; it’s about telling stories that words cannot express.”
This reflection captures Quintero’s philosophy that percussion is a profound form of communication. For him, rhythm transcends mere timekeeping to become a language capable of conveying emotions, traditions, and narratives that span generations and cultures.
“I don’t play instruments; I converse with them. Each drum has its own voice, its own spirit.”
This statement reveals Quintero’s deeply spiritual connection to his instruments. Rather than viewing percussion as technical objects, he approaches them as entities with distinct personalities, engaging in a mutual exchange where both the player and instrument contribute to the musical conversation.
Highlights
• Versatile collaborator across multiple musical genres
• Innovator blending traditional rhythms with contemporary styles
• Cultural ambassador preserving and evolving percussion heritage
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