Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Luis was exposed to music from a very young age. Growing up in a house of pianists, he began classical piano training through the Royal Conservatory of Music at the age of 4 and continued until taking up the drums upon entering high school. After spending his early years performing in various cover/original bands around Southern Ontario, he began playing with East coast veterans Madman Orchestra who had recently made the move to Toronto. In July 2010, he brought his naturally funky rhythms to Babalao and hasn’t looked back since.

Notable Achievements:

- Performed Piano at the 1997 Canada Day celebrations at Mississauga City Hall
- Various Kiwanis Music Festival Awards
- Finalist at You Discover concert series 2009 with Madman Orchestra
- Recently learned how to play the triangle (Look out Horacio Hernandez!)


We recently caught up with Luis for a brief interview:

Q: So how did you meet the guys in Babalao?

Craigslist! Yes, miracles do happen. 


Q: Babalao is a pretty multicultural group, what is your background?

My background is Argentine/Italian, but, I’m Canadian. I was born and raised here.


Q: Do you have a background in any other instruments?

Besides the drums there’s piano, and I had a period of about 2 years where I switched between Alto sax, tenor sax, timpani and xylophone. That was the beginning of high school, because there were too many drummers in my class.


Q: Do you have anyone who you would consider an inspiration to you musically?

My cousin Walter. He was the reason I wanted to take up drumming. I’m also a huge fan of Steve Gadd and Gavin Harrison.


Q: What’s your most memorable gig?

I’ve had gigs where there were holes in the stage, the on stage monitors were all blown out, I actually had one where all that came through my monitor was feedback so I had to shut it off after two songs. My most memorable gig though has to be a party I played in Fort Erie where we were at ground level and a dog fight actually broke out in the middle of the set. That was a bit terrifying.


Q: That’s got to be interesting. How did you react?

I sat very very still haha. And then upon returning home I promptly went to my room and cried myself to sleep.


Q: What is your astrological sign?

Pisces. I’m a textbook Pisces.


Q: What do you do with your free time?

I like discovering new bands that I haven’t heard of before, reading, eating, nothing out of the ordinary.


Q: Last Question, any words of wisdom to share?

Just be yourself and everything else will follow.