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{{Short description|Puerto Rican percussionist and music educator}}

'''Giovanni Hidalgo''' (born [[March 9]], [[1963]], in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]) is a [[musician]] who is considered by many to be one of the top [[Percussion_instrument|percussionists]] in the world today.

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Giovanni Hidalgo

| image = Giovanni Hidalgo.jpg

| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|11|22}}

| birth_place = [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico

| genre = {{flatlist|

*[[Latin jazz]]

*[[world music]]

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

*Musician

*educator

}}

| instrument = Percussion

| years_active =

| label =

| associated_acts =

}}

'''Giovanni Hidalgo''', also known as '''"Mañenguito"''' (born November 22, 1963, in San Juan, Puerto Rico), is a Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz percussionist, widely regarded as one of the greatest conga players in the world. Renowned for his virtuosic speed, precision, and innovation, he revolutionized hand drumming by blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with jazz, funk, and other global influences.

Giovanni received his primary education in San Juan, the capital of [[Puerto Rico]]. His father and grandfather had been musicians and it was only natural that he was raised in a household surrounded by [[drum]]s, [[bongo]]s, [[conga]]s and [[timbales]]. When he was eight years old, he received a conga for his birthday which was hand made by his father. As a young child he practiced and developed his speed and playing skills on the conga and on the other instruments in his house. He would drum a tune with sticks and then play the same tune with his hands. During his high school days he played in local gigs.

Hidalgo gained international prominence in the 1980s through collaborations with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, and Mickey Hart. He was a core member of Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra and co-winner of the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 1992 for *Planet Drum* alongside Mickey Hart and other percussion legends.

Giovanni's big break came when he auditioned and was hired by the Batacumbe Band in [[1980]]. In [[1981]], he travelled with the band to [[Cuba]] where he met a musician by the name of Changuito. Together they were able to create a unique style of rhythum. They ushered in a new musical era in latin music.

A dedicated educator, Hidalgo served as a professor at Berklee College of Music and has mentored generations of percussionists around the world. Despite health challenges in recent years, he continues to perform, record, and tour internationally, including recent trio work and upcoming performances across the United States and Europe.

In [[1985]]. Giovanni was performing with [[Eddie Palmieri]] at the Village Gate in [[New York]], when the legendary [[jazz]] musician [[Dizzy Gillespie]] walked in and listened to Giovanni play. So impressed was Gillespie with Giovanni, that he told him that someday in the future they must get together and play. In [[1988]], Giovanni joined the Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Jazz Orchestra.

==Early years==

Hidalgo was born in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico, where he received his primary education. His grandfather was a musician, and his father, José Manuel Hidalgo "Mañengue", was a renowned [[conga]] player. Hidalgo was raised in a household surrounded by drums, bongos, congas, and timbales.<ref name="DW">[http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Giovanni_Hidalgo.html Drummer World]</ref> For his eighth birthday, he received a conga which was handmade by his father. As a young child, he practiced and developed his skills on the conga and on other instruments in his house. Hidalgo would drum a tune with sticks and then play the same tune with his hands.<ref name="CH">[http://www.congahead.com/Musicians/Meet_Musicians/Hidalgo/hidalgo.html Congahead interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509161338/http://www.congahead.com/Musicians/Meet_Musicians/Hidalgo/hidalgo.html |date=2008-05-09 }}</ref>

==Music career==

In [[1992]], he released his first album titled "''Villa Hidalgo''" and that same year he was hired as an adjunct professor at the [[Berklee College of Music]] in [[Boston]]. There he taught all types of rhythms, [[Puerto Rican]], [[Cuban]], [[Dominican Republic|Dominican]], [[reggae]], [[African]] and jazz. He believes that every country has their own musical style and his objective was to capture the musical essence of these. He held this position until [[1996]], when he decided to continue performing on tours.

Hidalgo auditioned and was hired by the Batacumbele Band in 1980. In 1981, he traveled with the band to Cuba, where he met a musician by the name José Luis Quintana, a.k.a. [[Changuito]]. They created a style of rhythm that ushered in a new era in Latin music.<ref name="DW"/><ref name="CH"/>

In 1985, Hidalgo was performing with [[Eddie Palmieri]] at the [[Village Gate]] in New York City when [[Dizzy Gillespie]] walked in and listened to him play. Gillespie was so impressed with Hidalgo that he told him that someday in the future they must get together and play. In 1988 Hidalgo joined Gillespie's United Nation Orchestra.<ref name="DW"/>

Among the musicians with which Giovanni has either performed or recorded with are: Dizzy Gillespie, [[Charlie Palmieri|Charlie]] and Eddie Palmieri, [[Jack Bruce]], [[Paul Simon]], [[Art Blakey]] and many others. In [[2001]], he recorded "''Jazz Descargas''" with the Conga Kings. His most current project is a [[DVD]] titled "''Traveling Through Time''".

In 1992, Hidalgo was hired as an adjunct professor at the [[Berklee College of Music]] in Boston. He taught many types of rhythm: Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, [[reggae]], African, and jazz. He held this academic position until 1996.

[[Category:1963 births|Hidalgo, Giovanni]]

[[Category:Puerto Rican people|Hidalgo, Giovanni]]

During his career, he has worked with [[Bola Abimbola]], [[Sikiru Adepoju]], [[Art Blakey]], [[Muruga Booker]], [[Jack Bruce]], [[Don Byron]], [[Candido Camero]], [[D'Angelo]], [[Paulinho da Costa]], [[Steve Gadd]], [[Sammy Hagar]], [[Kip Hanrahan]], [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]], [[Cassius Khan]], [[Airto Moreira]], [[Charlie Palmieri]], [[Tito Puente]], [[Hilton Ruiz]], [[Paul Simon]], and [[Carlos "Patato" Valdes]].

[[Category:Puerto Rican musicians|Hidalgo, Giovanni]]

On October 31, 2010, he performed with the rock band [[Phish]] during their Halloween concert. The band performed [[Waiting for Columbus]] by [[Little Feat]] with Hidalgo on percussion (with the exception of "Don't Bogart That Joint", which was performed a cappella) and a brass section of Aaron Johnson, Stuart Bogie, Ian Hendrickson, [[Michael Leonhart]], and Eric Biondo.<ref>[http://www.jambands.com/news/2010/11/01/phish-covers-little-feat-s-waiting-for-columbus Phish Covers]</ref>

In October 2016, Giovanni Hidalgo underwent the amputation of his left ring finger due to a health complication. Demonstrating remarkable resilience and creativity, he has since adapted his technique to include the use of sticks and other innovative methods, continuing to push the boundaries of hand percussion. Despite this challenge, Hidalgo remains active in the music world, performing, teaching, and inspiring a new generation of musicians. In recent years, he has focused on small ensemble projects, including a new trio format that highlights his artistry in intimate and exploratory musical settings. His continued evolution as a musician has only deepened his legacy as one of the most influential percussionists of all time.

==Awards and honors==

In 1991, Hidalgo received a [[Grammy Award]] for his contribution to the album ''[[Planet Drum]]'' ([[Rykodisc]], 1991), performed by an ensemble of the same name led by [[Mickey Hart]] of [[The Grateful Dead]]. He played on another one of Hart's Grammy-winning albums, ''[[Global Drum Project]]'' and on the album ''[[Danzón (Dance On)]]'' ([[GRP Records|GRP]], 1993) by [[Arturo Sandoval]] which won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Performance. ''Hands of Rhythm'' ([[RMM Records & Video|RMM]], 1997), Hidalgo's album with [[Michel Camilo]], received a Grammy nomination, as did ''The Body Acoustic'' ([[Chesky Records|Chesky]], 2004), al album recorded by Hidalgo, [[David Chesky]], [[Randy Brecker]], [[Bob Mintzer]], and [[Andy González (musician)|Andy Gonzalez]].

In May 2010, Hidalgo was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from [[Berklee College of Music]] during the sixteenth consecutive year that faculty members from the school visited Puerto Rico for one of its global outreach programs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://jazztimes.com/columns/franckling/berklee-in-puerto-rico/ |title=Berklee in Puerto Rico - JazzTimes |access-date=2017-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222110957/https://jazztimes.com/columns/franckling/berklee-in-puerto-rico/ |archive-date=2017-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Discography==

===As leader===

* 1992: ''Villa Hidalgo'' (Pimienta)

* 1993: ''Worldwide'' ([[RMM Records & Video|RMM]])

* 1995: ''Time Shifter'' (RMM)

* 1997: ''Hands of Rhythm'' (RMM)

* 1999: ''Best Friends'' (Sony)<ref name="AM discog">{{cite web|title=Giovanni Hidalgo {{!}} Album Discography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/giovanni-hidalgo-mn0000553486/discography|website=AllMusic|access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

* 2024: ''Jubilation'' (ICP)

===As sideman===

'''With Batacumbele'''

* 1981: ''Con Un Poco De Songo'' (Tierrazo, TLP-008)

* 1983: ''En Aquellos Tiempos'' (Tierrazo, TLP-0011)

* 1987: ''Afro Caribbean Jazz'' (Montuno)

* 1988: ''In Concert: Live at the University of Puerto Rico'' (Montuno)

* 1999: ''Hijos del Tambó'' (Casa de los Tapes)

'''With Zaperoko'''

* 1984: ''Still Crazy'' (Montuno)

* 1986: ''Tarde en la Noche'' (Zap's)

* 2006: ''Zaperoko 3'' (Libertad)

'''With [[Dave Valentin]]'''

* 1987: ''Mind Time'' ([[GRP Records|GRP]])

* 1988: ''Live at the Blue Note'' (GRP)

'''With [[Kip Hanrahan]]'''

* 1985: ''Few Short Notes From the End Run'' ([[Justin Time Records|Justin Time]])

* 1990: ''Tenderness'' (Yellowbird)

* 1995: ''All Roads Are Made of the Flesh'' (American Clave)

'''With [[Airto Moreira]]'''

* 1986: ''Aqui Se Puede'' (Montuno)

* 1989: ''Samba De Flora'' (Montuno)

* 1992: ''The Other Side of This'' (Rykodisc)

* 2000: ''Homeless''

* 2003: ''Life After That'' ([[Narada Productions|Narada]])

'''With [[Hilton Ruiz]]'''

* 1992: ''Manhattan Mambo Soundtrack'' ([[Telarc]])

* 1992: ''Live at Birdland'' ([[Candid Records|Candid]])

* 1995: ''Hands on Percussion'' (RMM)

'''With [[Paquito D'Rivera]]'''

* 1987: ''Celebration'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]])

* 1990: ''Reunion'' (Termidor)

'''With [[Eddie Palmieri]]'''

* 1984: ''Palo Pá Rumba'' (Fania)

* 1985: ''Solito'' (Fania)

* 1987: ''The Truth-La Verdad'' (Fania)

* 2005: ''Listen Here!'' (Concord)

'''With [[Jazz Hamilton]]'''

* 2008: ''My Soul'' (Akoustik)

'''With The [[Brian Lynch (musician)|Brian Lynch]] / [[Eddie Palmieri]] Project'''

* 2006: ''Simpático'' (ArtistShare)

'''With [[Tito Puente]]'''

* 1992: ''Live at the Village Gate'' (Tropi Jazz)

* 1993: ''Golden Latin Jazz All Stars in Session'' (RMM)

* 2002: ''Live at the Playboy Jazz Festival'' (Playboy Jazz)

'''With [[Mickey Hart]]'''

* 1991: ''Planet Drum'' ([[Rykodisc]])

* 1998: ''[[Supralingua]]'' (Rykodisc)

* 1996: ''[[Mickey Hart's Mystery Box]]'' (Rykodisc)

* 2009: ''[[Global Drum Project]]'' ([[Shout! Factory]])

* 2012: ''[[Mysterium Tremendum]]'' (360° Productions)

* 2022: ''[[In the Groove (Planet Drum album)|In the Groove]]'' (Valley Entertainment)

'''With [[Flora Purim]]'''

* 1992: ''Queen of the Night''(Sound Wave)

* 1994: ''Speed of Light'' (Meltdown/B&W)

* 2002: ''Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento'' (Narada)

* 2005: ''Flora's Song'' (Narada)

'''With Humberto Ramirez'''

* 1992: ''Jazz Project'' (Tropi Jazz)

* 1993: ''Aspects'' (RMM)

* 1999: ''Best Friends'' ([[Sony Discos]])

'''With [[Michel Camilo]]'''

* 1994: ''One More Once'' (Columbia)

* 2011: ''Mano a Mano'' (EmArcy/Pgd)

'''With [[Freddie Hubbard]]'''

* 1991: ''Bolivia'' ([[Musical Heritage Society|Musicmasters]])

* 1998: ''God Bless the Child'' (Musicmasters)

'''With [[Dizzy Gillespie]]'''

* 1989: ''[[Live at the Royal Festival Hall (Dizzy Gillespie album)|Live at the Royal Festival Hall]]'' ([[Enja Records|Enja]])

* 2007: ''Live at the Jazz Plaza Festival 1985'' (MVD)

'''With [[McCoy Tyner]]'''

* 1999: ''McCoy Tyner & The Latin All-Stars'' (Telarc)

* 2007: ''Afro Blue'' (Telarc)

'''With [[Jerry Rivera]]'''

* 1990: ''Abriendo Puertas'' (Discos CBS)

* 2009: ''DOS Clasicos'' (Sony)

'''With others'''

* 1986: ''Word Up!'' – [[Cameo (band)|Cameo]] ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]])

* 1986: ''Llegó el Gavilán'' – Kim de los Santos (Pa'Lante Records)

* 1989: ''Kim de los Santos'' – Kim de los Santos (Musical Productions)

* 1992: ''Pintando Lunas'' – [[Domingo Quiñones]] (RMM)

* 1993: ''Heroes'' – Hilton Ruiz (Telarc)

* 1993: ''Danzon'' (Dance On) – [[Arturo Sandoval]] (GRP)

* 1996: ''Evolucionando'' – Johnny Almendra (RMM)

* 1997: ''Marching to Mars'' – [[Sammy Hagar]] (Universal)

* 1998: ''Larry Harlow's Latin Legend Band'' – [[Larry Harlow (musician)|Larry Harlow]] (Sony Discos)

* 1998: ''Antiguo –'' [[Gonzalo Rubalcaba]] ([[Blue Note Records|Blue Note]])

* 1998: ''Havana Blues'' – Armando Rodriguez ([[Palmetto Records|Palmetto]])

* 2000: ''Rhythms for a New Millennium'' – [[Alex Acuña]] (Tonga)

* 2000: ''Best Kept Secret'' – Ralph Irizarry ([[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]])

* 2000: ''Conga Kings'' – [[Candido Camero]] ([[Chesky Records|Chesky]])

* 2000: ''Galeria Caribe'' – [[Ricardo Arjona]] (Sony)

* 2000: ''Imprint'' – [[John Patitucci]] ([[Concord Jazz]])

* 2000: [[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]] – [[D'Angelo]] (Cheeba/[[Virgin Records|Virgin]])

* 2001: ''Yo Por Ti'' – [[Olga Tañón]] ([[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]])

* 2001: ''TNT (Trombone-N-Tenor)'' – [[Steve Turre]] (Telarc)

* 2001: ''Jazz Descargas'' – Conga Kings (Chesky)

* 2002: ''Mondo Head –'' [[Kodō (taiko group)|Kodo]] (Red Ink)

* 2002: ''Together Again'' – [[Juan Pablo Torres (musician)|Juan Pablo Torres]] (MusicHaus)

* 2002: ''Lo Bueno De La Vida'' – Orlando Poleo (Sony)

* 2004: ''Body Acoustic'' – Body Acoustic (Chesky)

* 2004: ''Desahogo'' – [[Vico C|Vico-C]] (EMI)

* 2004: ''My Music, My Friends, My Time'' – Oskar Cartaya (O.Y.E.)

* 2004: ''Como Nunca...Como Siempre'' – Limi-T 21 (EMI Latin)

* 2005: ''Sabor Cubano'' – Alina Izquierdo (Pimienta)

* 2006: ''Descarga En California'' – [[Rebeca Mauleon]] (Pimienta)

* 2006: ''Masa Con Masa'' – [[Millo Torres]] ([[Machete Music|Machete]])

* 2006: ''Codes'' – [[Ignacio Berroa]] (Blue Note)

* 2006: ''Telegrafia Sin Hilo'' – [[Changuito]] (Cacao Musica)

* 2007: ''De Corazon A Corazon'' – Team Vip (Union Music Group)

* 2007: ''Jazz, Baby!'' – Doug Beavers ([[Origin Records|Origin]])

* 2007: ''En Primera Plana'' – [[Issac Delgado]] (La Calle)

* 2007: ''90 Millas'' – [[Gloria Estefan]] (Solar Music Group)

* 2008: ''Canto a America Latina'' – Andres Jimenez (Cuatro Menguante)

==Filmography==

*1995 - ''Conga Virtuoso'' (DVD) [[Warner Bros.]]

*1996 - ''In The Tradition'' (DVD) Warner Bros.

*2004 - ''Traveling Through Time'' (with [[Horacio Hernandez]]) (DVD) Music Video Distributors

==See also==

{{Portal|Puerto Rico}}

*[[List of Puerto Ricans]]

{{Clear}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hidalgo, Giovanni}}

[[Category:1963 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:American percussionists]]

[[Category:American male drummers]]

[[Category:Latin jazz percussionists]]

[[Category:Conga players]]

[[Category:Barril players]]

[[Category:Plenera players]]

[[Category:Puerto Rican educators]]

[[Category:American music educators]]

[[Category:Musicians from San Juan, Puerto Rico]]

[[Category:Planet Drum members]]

[[Category:Djembe players]]

[[Category:Batá drummers]]

[[Category:Timbaleros]]

[[Category:Bongo players]]

[[Category:American marimbists]]

[[Category:Tambourine players]]

[[Category:Güiro players]]