Drum set artist, percussionist and educator José Aponte has performed throughout his career with artists such as Batacumbele, Carlos Guedes, Poncho Sánchez, Gino Vanelli, Brian Bromberg, Lyle Mays, Andy Narell, David Rudder, Fred Hamilton, Dan Haerle, Tracy Thorton, Lian Teague, Airto Moreira, Manuel Valera, Michael Spiro and Nestor Torres. As an artist and clinician, José has performed nationally and internationally at Bumbershoot Fest in Seattle, WA; The Crescent Jazz Festival in Utah; The San Juan Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico; The Festival de Jazz in Lima, Perú; The Costa Rica International Jazz Festival in San Jose, Costa Rica and the Taipei International Percussion Summer Camp in Taiwan China.

A native from Carolina, Puerto Rico, José is a graduate musician with a Bachelor’s Degree in percussion from his homeland Conservatório de Música de Puerto Rico, an Artist Diploma from The Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California and a Master’s of Music Degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas.

José currently holds a full time faculty position for the Percussion and Jazz Studies programs at the University of North Texas – College of Music where he is the primary instructor of the Drum Set and Latin Percussion studios as well as the director of the UNT Latin Jazz Lab Band, the UNT Afro-Cuban ensemble and the UNT Brazilian ensemble. José also is an active member of the Dallas/Fort Worth musical scene as a freelance performer and studio musician with groups such as, The Justin Cash Jazz Fusion trio; The Hip Van Winkles; Carabali Salsa Band; El Nuevo Mi Son Cuban Big Band; Daniel Pardo Latin Jazz Group; The John Murphy Jazz Trio; Singer/Songwriter Tania Cordobes; Tito Charneco’s “Diaspora” Jazz group as well as his own groups: José Aponte and Caribe Club Latin Jazz Quintet; Batuque Brazilian jazz trio and Brasuka Brazilian Jazz group.

José is an artist/clinician for Yamaha drums, Meinl Percussion, Evans Drums Heads, Pro-Mark Sticks and Sabian Cymbals.