Born in East Harlem and grew up surrounded by music. Studied African, Afro Carribbean and Afro Cuban drum culture from some of the greatest percussionists in New York and around the world.
He taught himself drum set, piano, and guitar by the age of sixteen. He is a well-versed pan african percussionist.
Recorded with Ron Trent, Antipop Constortium, Sugarman 3, Lounge Brigade, Justice System, and Ya Esta. He was also a member/co-writer in Cooly’s Hotbox, Antibalas, and Topaz and performed all over the U.S., Canada, England, Europe and Japan.
Studied music in Jonny Colon Music School at age 14 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Composition at Purchase College and is also currently a junior highschool music teacher. Founder of Song and Beat non profit organization (www.songandbeat.com).

Bio

Ernesto was born in New York’s East Harlem and grew up during the 1970’s and 1980’s surrounded by music. He began his formal music education when he was five years old. He studied African, Afro Haitian, Afro Puerto Rican, Afro Cuban, and Afro Dominican drum culture from some of the greatest percussionists in New York and around the world. Ernesto taught himself drum set, piano, and guitar by the age of sixteen. He is a well-versed percussionist, playing Conga, Bongo, Djembe, Bata, Timbal, Tambora Dominicana, and many other instruments. Ernesto has recorded with Ron Trent, Antipop Constortium, Sugarman 3, Genesis Groove, Shinichi Osawa, Tiklah, Lounge Brigade, Justice System, Angela Johnson and Ya Esta just to name a few. In addition, he was also a member and co-writer in Cooly’s Hotbox, Antibalas, and Topaz. Ernesto has performed all over the U.S., Canada, England, Europe and Japan. From the beginning, human rights activism has played an integral part in his career. By coordinating with local activist groups in the cities where he toured, Ernesto was able to use his shows as a forum for many important social causes including AIDS in Africa, Darfur, Sudan genocide, Somalian civil war, police brutality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and homelessness. Ernesto received a BA in Music from SUNY Purchase and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology. Ernesto is passionate about educating the young. He is a licensed Elementary and Junior High school teacher and founder of a non profit music program for children called Song and Beat Inc.