World-Class Percussionist • Toca Signature Artist

ERIC
VELEZ

Backstage. On Stage. Real Tour Life.

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Eric Velez performing
20+Years On
Stage

The Artist

THE PULSE
BEHIND
THE SHOW


Eric Velez is a world-class percussionist and touring musician who has performed on some of the biggest stages across the globe — from sold-out arenas to residencies in Las Vegas.

A Toca Percussion Signature Artist, Eric's custom-designed congas are played live night after night in front of tens of thousands of fans. His signature red sparkle series has become as iconic as his presence on stage.

Beyond the stage, Eric documents the real life of a touring musician through his YouTube series "Percussion Chronicles" — backstage access, real tour moments, and the truth about life on the road.

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In Action

ON STAGE

Eric Velez arena
Eric Velez bongos
Eric Velez arena view
Eric Velez blue lights
Toca congas
Eric Velez performing
Eric Velez full crowd

Watch

PERCUSSION
CHRONICLES

Eric Velez Percussion Chronicles

Go backstage. Go on stage. See the real life of a touring percussionist — from rehearsals to residencies, soundchecks to spotlights.

Percussion Chronicles is Eric's unfiltered documentary series that brings fans into a world most people never see.

1K+Subscribers
49Episodes
9.8KIG Followers
Watch on YouTube

Knowledge

E-BOOKS

Hard-won wisdom from the road — Eric's guides to preparing your mind and body for the demands of life as a touring musician. Available in English and Spanish.

🇺🇸 English Edition
E-Book Cover

The Touring Musician's Mental & Physical Preparation Guide

Everything Eric has learned from years on the road — how to keep your mind sharp, your body healthy, and your performance at its peak no matter where in the world you are.

Get the E-Book →
🇪🇸 Edición en Español
E-Book Cover

La Guía de Preparación Mental y Física para Músicos en Gira

Todo lo que Eric ha aprendido en años de gira — cómo mantener la mente enfocada, el cuerpo sano y tu rendimiento al máximo sin importar en qué parte del mundo estés.

Obtener el E-Book →

PRESS & RECOGNITION

AWARDS,
PRESS &
MEDIA

Industry recognition, magazine features, and live recordings that have cemented Eric Velez as one of the world's premier percussionists.

🏆 DRUM! MAGAZINE — THE DRUMMIES
DRUMMIES 2008
Runner-Up — Best Rising Star
Percussionist category · DRUM! Magazine reader poll with over 5,000 votes cast across 42 categories worldwide.
VIEW ORIGINAL →
DRUMMIES 2009
🥇 WINNER — Best Live Performer
Beating out John Mahon, Giovanni Hidalgo & Sheila E. Also Runner-Up: Latin Percussionist of the Year & Runner-Up: Percussionist of the Year.
VIEW ORIGINAL →
📰 MAGAZINE COVER FEATURES
COVER STORY
DRUM! MAGAZINE · DEC 2009
"Chameleon Conguero To The Stars"
Issue 162 · Hand Drum Feature · "Grooving With J.Lo" — Full editorial spotlight on Eric's technique, career, and world-class performances.
COVER STORY
LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE · NOV 2005
"The Percussion Issue"
Vol. 15, No. 9 · Juicy & Eric featured on the cover of Latin Beat Magazine's annual percussion issue — the bible of Latin music journalism.
🎵 AS A RECORDING ARTIST
JUICY & ERIC · 2005
HURACÁN
Original album released as a recording artist alongside his brother José "Juicy" Jusino. Featured on the cover of Latin Beat Magazine's Percussion Issue the same year.
📀 FEATURED ON DVD
🏟️
MARC ANTHONY
The Concert from Madison Square Garden
Live at MSG — one of the most iconic Latin concert films ever released.
🎺
RMM RECORDS
The 22nd New York Salsa Festival — 10 Años Live
Featuring Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Marc Anthony, Oscar D'León & the full RMM family.
🎸
RMM RECORDS
Tropical Tribute to The Beatles — Live from Radio City Music Hall
A historic Latin reimagining of the Beatles catalog performed live at Radio City Music Hall.

Career Timeline

DECADES
OF RHYTHM

1970S
Bronx Beginnings
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Began his percussion journey at age three, learning from peers and absorbing the rich musical culture around him.
1990
Grupo Fascinacion
Turned professional at just 16 years old with Grupo Fascinacion. By 17, he was already performing with Latin music icon Eddie Palmieri.
1993
Carlito's Way
Recorded with Marc Anthony for the iconic Carlito's Way soundtrack. The beginning of a 30-year collaboration that would span the globe.
2009
Toca Signature
Launched first Toca Percussion signature series featuring congas and bongos — a rare honor in the world of percussion.
2017
Series II
Expanded his Toca signature line to include congas, bongos, and timbales — reflecting his growth as a complete percussionist.
2020
Cowbells
Added the "Nuyorican" Eric Velez Signature Cowbells to the Toca lineup, now available for worldwide distribution.
2024
Series IV
Most expansive Toca series yet: congas, bongos, timbales, bongo bells, and bongo stick. A full percussion ecosystem bearing his name.
2026
Series V
New 10" bongo stick, bongo bells with clamp add-on, and the Eric Velez signature timbale sticks — the most refined series yet.
NOW
Still Performing
Continuing to tour with Marc Anthony and perform worldwide, setting the standard for Latin percussion on the global stage.

COLLABORATIONS

PERFORMED
WITH LEGENDS

🎤
Marc Anthony
30-Year Collaboration
🥁
Tito Puente
The Mambo King
🎵
Celia Cruz
Queen of Salsa
🎺
Willie Colón
Latin Music Icon
🎹
Eddie Palmieri
Mentor & Legend
💃
Jennifer Lopez
Global Superstar
🎵
DLG
Dark Latin Groove
🎸
Rey Ruiz
Latin Balladeer
⭐
Alejandro Sanz
Spanish Superstar
🎙️
Sheila E.
Percussionist Icon

Signature Partnership

THREE DECADES
WITH MARC

Eric Velez has been Marc Anthony's trusted percussionist for 30 years, performing with him around the world on the most prestigious stages and events.

JUNTOS EN CONCIERTO
Major world tour series spanning multiple continents
AMERICAN IDOL
National television performances reaching millions
CLINTON INAUGURATION
President Clinton's inaugural ceremony performance
LATINOS FOR OBAMA
President Obama's fundraiser — a historic night

DISCOGRAPHY

RECORDING
CREDITS

Over three decades of studio work spanning Latin music's greatest artists — from iconic albums to timeless hits still played worldwide today.

🏆
FEATURED — TIMELESS HIT
LA VIDA ES UN CARNAVAL
Celia Cruz — Mi Vida Es Cantar (1998) · Congas
A global hit still resonating worldwide to this day.
1993
Carlito's Way (Soundtrack)
Marc Anthony · Congas
1994
The Best, Vol. 2
Willie Colón · Congas
1995
Isidro Infante & La Elite 2
Isidro Infante · Congas
1995
Sin Fusil
Letra Limpia · Congas
1995
Emo Luciano
Emo Luciano · Congas
1996
Autentico
Manny Manuel · Congas
1996
Evolucionando
Johnny Almendra & Los Jovenes del Barrio · Quinto
1996
Familia RMM Recordando a Selena
Congas
1996
Mi Son Sabroson
Melcochita · Congas
1996
A Thousand Nights and a Night
Kip Hanrahan · Congas
1997
A Sangre Fria
Guianko · Congas
1997
Back to the Mambo: Tribute to Machito
José "El Canario" Alberto · Congas
1997
Cuando Era Nino
Bobby Cruz · Congas
1997
En Nueva York
Oscar D'León · Congas
1997
No Puedo Evitar Enamorarme
Jaime Rovira · Congas
1997
Nuyorican Soul
Nuyorican Soul · Congas, Bongos
1997
RMM 10th Anniversary Concert
Various Artists · Congas
1998
Afro-Cuban Grooves, Vol. 3
Congas
1998
Licencia Para Enganar
Isidro Infante · Congas
1998
Live [CD]
Los Jovenes del Barrio · Percussion
1998
Los Hombres No Deben Llorar
Hermanos Colon · Congas
1998
Mi Forma de Sentir
Guianko · Congas
1998
Mi Forma de Vivir
Yanko · Congas
1998
Mi Propia Aventura
Charlie Cardona · Congas
1998
Mi Vida Es Cantar ⭐
Celia Cruz · Congas
1998
Niegalo Todo
Dominic · Congas
1998
Para Estar Contigo
Luis Damon · Congas
1998
Son Boricua
Congas
1999
Cowboy Rumba
Ned Sublette · Congas
1999
Entrega
George Lamond · Congas
1999
Experiencias
Yolanda Duke · Congas
1999
Herido
José "El Canario" Alberto · Congas
1999
Imagínate
Charlie Cruz · Congas
1999
Un Poco Mas
Corrine · Congas
2000
Jay Lozada
Jay Lozada · Congas
2000
Una Nueva Ilusion
Vanessa · Congas
2001
Extra Inning
Junior Gonzalez · Congas
2004
El Avión de la Salsa
Jimmy Bosch · Guest Artist, Congas
2004
Oasis
Ricky Gonzalez · Congas
2005
Atrevete a Olvidarme
Brenda K. Starr · Congas
2006
Original Music From The Soundtrack Of Pinero
Kip Hanrahan · Congas
2007
Back to the Classics
Johnny Cruz · Congas
2008
Asalto Navideño: En Vivo Puerto Rico 1993
Willie Colón · Percussion
2008
El Malo, Vol. II: Prisioneros del Mambo
Willie Colón · Congas
2008
The DEY Has Come
The DEY · Congas
2009
A Million
Jimmy Bosch · Quinto, Congas
2011
Lo Mejor De La Salsa De Los Hermanos Colón
Hermanos Colon · Congas
2013
3.0
Marc Anthony · Percussion
2015
Estaciones
Rey Ruiz · Congas
2015
Un Zombie A La Intemperie (Salsa Version)
Luis Enrique & Alejandro Sanz · Congas
2018
Recordando el Papa de la Salsa
Charlie Cruz · Congas
+ Many more...
🎵   A NOTE ON THIS LIST

This represents only a portion of Eric's recorded work. With over three decades of sessions spanning Latin music, salsa, jazz, and beyond — many recordings remain uncatalogued, unreleased, or simply too numerous to list. If you are looking for a specific credit, reach out directly.

Eric Velez Toca Signature Series

Official Gear

ERIC VELEZ
SIGNATURE
SERIES


Toca Percussion Artist

The Eric Velez Signature Series by Toca Percussion was built for the stage. Designed hand-in-hand with Eric himself, these congas deliver the tone, feel, and presence of a true world-class instrument.

The same red sparkle congas you see on arena stages around the world — now available for you to own and play.

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Inquiries

BOOK ERIC

Available for concerts, corporate events, private performances, brand partnerships, and more. Fill out the form below and Eric's team will be in touch.