Hector Barez

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on March 22, 1976, Héctor “Coco” Barez is one of the most active Puerto Rican percussionists of his generation. During his extensive career he has had the opportunity to represent the Island in both folkloric and popular music stages. Coco received a BA in Physical Education from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) in Río Piedras. He studied percussion at the UPR, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, and the Los Angeles College of Music (LAMA) in Pasadena, California. Nevertheless, Coco attributes his highest level of learning to the streets of Puerto Rico. He was a member of the Ballet Folclórico Nacional de Puerto Rico “Areyto,” Pleni-bom, Los Pleneros de la 23 Abajo, Son del Batey, EL Bombazo de Puerto Rico de los Hermanos Emmanuelli, Taller Tamboricua, and Bataklán. Coco worked for 8 years with Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo, band that accompanied the Puerto Rican rap duo Calle 13 for 10 years. He recorded in 4 of the 5 Grammy-award winning productions of Calle 13. He has also had the opportunity to perform and record with artists such as Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Maná, Don Omar, Bacilos, Bayanga, William Cepeda, Cultura Profética, Tamela Hedstrom, Diana Fuentes, Jerry Medina, Mikrowaves, Mekong Express and Calma Carmona amongst others. He is currently a member of the salsa band Bio Ritmo , Miramar (Boleros), that recently dedicated their debut album to Puerto Rican songwriter Sylvia Rexach.