Guillermo Barrón
A musical journey shaped across Mexico, Puerto Rico and New York — bringing together diverse musical traditions and years of experience in performance, recording and collaboration.
Biography
Guillermo Barrón is a Mexican percussionist, session musician, composer, and educator whose career has developed across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New York. His work spans jazz and Latin jazz, Afro-Caribbean and Latin American music, flamenco, pop, and Mexican music, combining a strong musical foundation with extensive experience in recording, international touring, and live performance.
Originally from San Luis Potosí, Barrón studied Latin, classical, and Afro-Cuban percussion before moving to Puerto Rico in 2007 to study Jazz and Caribbean Music at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2011. He later spent time in Spain further exploring flamenco and cajón, adding another important dimension to his musical vocabulary.
From 2015 to 2020, Barrón lived in New York City, where he worked as a performer and session musician with artists and ensembles including José Feliciano, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Luisito Quintero, Alex Conde, and Project Grand Slam. His work during this period included international touring and performances at venues such as Birdland and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
His recording credits include Alex Conde's Origins and Jorge Pardo's Trance Sketches, along with numerous projects across jazz, Latin music, flamenco, pop, and other contemporary styles. As a composer, he released ¿Cuál es la prisa?, an album of original music bringing together influences from Latin American music, jazz, and flamenco.
Since returning to Mexico in 2020, Barrón has developed his own recording studio, working remotely with artists and producers internationally. Since 2022, he has also been the percussionist for Mexican group Los Acosta, touring throughout Mexico, the United States, and Central America.
Career Highlights
NEW YORK CITY · 2015–2020
Five years based in New York City, working as a percussionist and session musician across live performances, recording sessions, and international touring.
NOTABLE STAGES
Blue Note New York · Birdland Jazz Club · Blue Note Tokyo · Jazz at Lincoln Center · Auditorio Nacional
RECORDING HIGHLIGHTS
Recording credits include Alex Conde’s Origins and Jorge Pardo’s Trance Sketches, with sessions featuring musicians such as Brian Lynch, Marcus Gilmore, Mark Guiliana, and Matt Garrison. Guillermo also recorded on Project Grand Slam’s The Rich Ones All Stars, which features Randy Brecker and Billy Cobham.
INTERNATIONAL TOURING
International touring with José Feliciano and Project Grand Slam, with performances across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
JAZZ FESTIVALS
Nišville Jazz Festival · Sildajazz · Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival · Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
Festival appearances in Serbia, Norway, England, and Jamaica with José Feliciano and Project Grand Slam.
LOS ACOSTA · 2022–PRESENT
Percussionist for Mexican group Los Acosta, with extensive touring throughout Mexico, the United States, and Central America.
Background
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OF PUERTO RICO
Jazz and Caribbean Music
Summa Cum Laude
TEACHING
JazzUV
Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí
ARTIST ENDORSEMENTS
Bosphorus Cymbals · Featured Artist
Tycoon Percussion
“A first-rate instrumentalist and a solid, eloquent composer, with great expressiveness in his melodic lines.”
Antonio Malacara
Translated from Spanish