Teaching Topics and Philosophy

My lessons are about embracing the cultural roots of Afro Latin Percussion, a journey through Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Colombia, and all of Latin America. I work with a variety of percussions including congas, timbales, bongos, cajón, Afro-Puerto Rican bomba, and plena. I also specialize in Latin jazz vibraphone, multi-percussion sets, and salsa arranging.

Biography

Grammy-winning multi-percussionist, educator, arranger, and composer Carlos “Carly” Maldonado was born and raised in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Carlos stands out brilliantly in the music world as an Afro-Latin, symphonic, and mallet percussionist. During his career, Mr. Maldonado has shared the stage with international artists and orchestras such as: Eddie Palmieri, David Sanchez, Wynton Marsalis & JALC, Randy Weston, George Coleman, Christian McBride, Arturo Sandoval, Donald Harrison, Victor Manuelle, Ray Santos, Chucho Valdés, SOLJO, Pleneros 21, PVC, Millo Torres, Alex Acuña, Orchestra of St. Luke.

Since arriving in New York in 2010, he became a member of the innovative jazz & Puerto Rican
music ensemble Papo Vazquez Mighty Pirates. In 2013, Carlos also became a member of the Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. He was also a fellowship artist at the University of Manchester from 2022-2025. He is Meinl Percussion & Cymbal Artist since 2003.