Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo

Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo was born and raised in Cuba. His early inspiration was his musically gifted father Porfirio Nunez, a former singer/guitarist with one of the oldest Cuban orchestras "Brisas de Nipe".

As a professional artist Joaquin has had a successful music career in Cuba. Performing in numerous music events and festivals, he shared the stage with some of Cuba's most elite musicians like Emiliano Salvador, Juan Pablo Torres and Joel Rodriguez Milor.

Eventually settling in Toronto in 1999, Joaquin quickly became immersed in the local music scene performing as a drummer and percussionist with top Canadian based artists (Jane Bunnett, Bill King, Njacko Backo, Eddie Bullen, Hilario Duran, Luis Mario Ochoa), performing in many of the festivals (Montreal Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Halifax Jazz Festival) across the country as well as internationally.

Joaquin recently finished a stint in the Toronto production of "Dirty Dancing" at the Royal Alex. He is also the leader and musical director of the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble "Rumba Iyabo" and the traditional Cuban music group "Cubanos". Joaquin also teaches percussion and hand drum technique in the "Soul Drums" music program.