075: Edwin Bonilla (Gloria Estefan, Cachao, Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandoval)

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Joe Wong

Joewong, Drums, Comedy, Performing Arts, Arts, Drummers

4.8 • 709 Ratings

🗓️ 15 June 2016

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Edwin Bonilla started his musical journey playing rock and R&B on drum kit, but as a teenager he transitioned to timbales, bongos, and congas. He developed an aggressive, hard-hitting style that brought him to the attention of legends such as: Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandaval, and Stevie Wonder. He is perhaps best known, though, for his decades-long run with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Joe caught up with Edwin before a recent performance of Estefan's hit Broadway musical, On Your Feet.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of The Trap Set is brought to you in part by Collecivo Coffee, handmade coffee since 1993.
0:07.4	Check them out online at collectivo.com.
0:23.8	This is Joe Wong.
0:28.2	Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.
0:30.0	I want to play something for you.
0:36.0	Follow me, my boy! Thank you. You're herein'clock You're here in Cuba
0:37.8	You're hearing You're hearing Cuba and Puerto Rico by my guest, Edwin Bonilla.
1:01.2	Born in Puerto Rico, Bonilla spent his childhood in New Jersey.
1:04.9	He began his musical journey behind the drum kit, but soon he transitioned to timbales,
1:09.8	congas, and bongos.
1:11.6	Edwin began working professionally at age 13, drawing from Puerto Rican and Cuban traditions, along
1:16.6	with R&B and rock.
1:18.6	The percussionist eventually created an aggressive and incredibly versatile style that brought
1:22.6	him to the attention of such legends as Cachau, Arturo Sandoval, Celia Cruz, and Stevie Wonder.
1:33.3	Bonilla is probably best known for his decades-long stint with the Miami Sound Machine.
1:38.3	I spoke to him in New York City prior to a performance of On Your Feet, the Broadway musical about the group's founders, Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
1:49.6	And now our conversation with Edwin Bonilla.
1:56.5	I was in Puerto Rico. My mother came up here to work and she met my stepdad.
2:06.2	And he bought me up here.
2:07.6	Got it, got it.
2:08.5	So I grew up with him.
2:09.4	I grew up with a great, great stepdad.
	...

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