Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Quinones.
Hi Frankie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m just a church boy with a passion for music! I’ve always had a major interest in Latin Percussion. My passion was birthed at church. I started playing as a toddler, banging on everything around the house with spoons, pens, pencils and anything I could get my hands on. I would work hard to try and replicate the rhythms at home that the church drummer (My Uncle, Joe Gonzalez) played.
In the 5th grade, I joined the Latin Band at PS 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy and my uncle’s band, The Sounds of Glory. It was at PS 76 where I was first exposed to the music of the Rey del Timbal, Tito Puente. In my uncle’s band, I learned and played gospel music. I later went on to attend the Buffalo Arts Academy for High School as a Saxophone Major. At the Arts Academy, I discovered jazz and my passion for hand percussion, particularly the congas, took a serious turn. This was due to having the opportunity to play for the dance department for classes and performances, where I had to learn both African and Latin rhythms.
In my Junior Year of Highschool, I joined a local band, Straight Forward as the percussionist. Straight forward provided me with an amazing experiencing that I will forever treasure. We were serious young musicians with a fire and passion for playing original music. This band opened for many major acts that would come through Buffalo like the Yellow Jackets and the legend BB King.
After high school, I got a scholarship and was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I spent two years. During this time, I studied with Percussion Masters and made friendships that will last forever. I also selected to perform at the Heineken Jazz Festival in San Juan PR. My time at Berklee was cut short upon the news that I was going to be a DAD!
I relocated back to Buffalo where I quickly jumped into the local music scene, worked full-time, attended school full-time and became a new Dad. I completed my BA in Music in 2005. After completing this milestone, I had a major interest on how music could continue to change the world. In 2006, I began my graduate studies in International Business where I focused part of my studies on how to utilize music as a tool for cross-cultural understanding for the advancement of globalization. After obtaining my MBA in 2008, my wife and I decided to relocate to Atlanta, GA.
My first opportunity in Atlanta was as a percussion instructor with a faith-based organization. Aside from this, I also jumped into the local music scene which is exciting, competitive and diverse in music genres. Atlanta thus far has provided me some pretty amazing music experiences. I have had the privilege to perform with Sheila E., Tito Rojas, Tony Vega, Jerry Rivera, Sonny Emory and perform as percussionist in Musical Theatre Productions with the most recent being the Atlanta run of the Broadway National Tour of Ain’t to Proud. I have also recorded on many projects that cover a wide range of genres.
In addition to playing music, I have also continued my business interest, serving as a Sr. Program Manager for a Fortune 500 company and as an owner of Strawberry Growth LLC, a holding company that focuses on Product Development for its own technology start-up companies.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been smooth. It’s been a challenge to juggle the many hats that I wear and finding time to be a creative. Being a creative requires so much energy and time. Being a percussionist requires intense discipline and consistency. The instrument that I mainly play, the congas, requires more than just skill and a good sound. It requires honesty and the highest levels of humility. The congas are connected to a deep human experience as it made its way from Africa, the Caribbean to the Americas. In my humble opinion, this experience must be reflected when you play. The struggle for me has been not always having the time to dedicate to the craft. The years have taught me to make my faith and family my main priority. I do this with the highest levels of faith that the God will see my heart… that with the time that I do put in, it is received as an act of service to the music and never myself. Thus far, I’ve been blessed and the blessings keep on coming!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am hand percussionist who specializes in Latin and world rhythms. I am most proud of being called to play with other amazing creatives. What sets me apart is that I try to always play from honest place. I try and show the audience who I am and where I come from… my story through the drum.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My commitment to my faith and family. I work extremely hard on everything else (Music and Business). But my faith and family are what keep me centered and inspire me to always be at my best.
Contact Info:
- Email: justpercussion@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_frankie_q_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rumbero911
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LlegoElSwing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRn98Bdr2iz9nIWqTz7KjA/featured
Image Credits
1first pic – Lucious Smith 2nd Pic – El Dominicano
