- Mark Walker wrote:
Paquito once said to me (and I quote): "Pernell Saturnino is the greatest f*#%ing percussionist...
Biography
Pernell Saturnino, a Grammy Award winner percussionist, who is known for his flexibility and knowledge of various rhythms around the world. He is a perfectionist who always tries to play every rhythm as close as possible to the origin. It does not matter if the rhythm is from Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru or Curaçao, to mention a few. Evidently, he has displayed his talent on all the recordings and concerts, appearing on at least three CD's yearly, for over a decade. He has been recording and performing with the best in the Jazz scene around the world; Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D'Rivera, Andy Narell, Danilo Pérez, David Sánchez and Miguel Zenon to mention a few.
Mr. Saturnino was born in Curaçao, (Former Netherlands Antilles). He started to play percussion when he was nine. When Mr. Saturnino was eighteen years old, he joined one of the best folkloric groups of Curaçao back then; "Nos Antias" (Our Antilles).
One year later, in 1982, he decided to study music seriously at F.I.M. (Foundation Institution of Music), and graduated in 1986. In 1988, Mr. Saturnino moved to Boston, USA, to study at Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, he won two awards: Most Outstanding Percussionist in 1992 and Latin Percussion Award, 1994.
While studying at Berklee, Mr. Saturnino got the opportunity to perform with numerous invited artist like; Joe Zawinul, Hermeto Pascoal, Chucho Valdez, Cachao and Micheal Gibbs. In the Boston region, as the first call percussionist, Mr. Saturnino performed with Gilberto Gil, Danilo Pérez, Oscar Stagnaro and Rebecca Paris.
After graduating at Berklee College of Music in 1995, Mr. Saturnino started a musical relationship with Paquito D'Rivera and has been performing and recording with him until up to now. (Trombone man, Juan Pablo Torre; Portrait of Cuba; Island story, Caribbean Jazz Project; Live at Manchester Guild, United Nation; Live at the Blue Note; The Clarinetist; Big band time, WDR big band; Mosaic, Caribbean Jazz Project, Calle 54 and Funk Tango).
In 1996, he was invited by Wynton Marsalis to perform in the Atlanta Olympics with an All Star Big Band. Also, to perform with Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring The Alvin Alley Jazz Ballet and recorded: Sweet Release and Ghost story.
In 1997, Mr. Saturnino also joined David Sánchez quintet and recorded: Obsession, Melaza, Travesia, Coral and Cultural Survival. In 2003, Chick Corea called Mr. Saturnino to join him with The Electric Band and recorded as an invited guest on the CD: To the Stars.
During the years, he had also performed and recorded with numerous artist like; Bebo Valdéz, Edward Simon, Andy Narell, Dave Samuels, Antonio Hart, Micheal Mossman, Danilo Pérez, Donny McCaslin, Dave Liebman, Dan Morreti, Miguel Zenon, The New York Voices, Diego Urcola and Oscar Feltman. Sixteen of the CD's that Mr. Saturnino recorded on, was Grammy Award nominated, which of, five won the Grammy Award.
Recently, Mr. Saturnino is still keeping busy performing and recording with numerous artist like; Dee Dee Bridgewater, Makoto Ozone and as the first call percussionist with The WDR Big band in Germany. Mr. Saturnino is also traveling around the world teaching and giving lots of workshops.
Mr. Saturnino also returned back to his native island Curaçao and opened the first percussion school named Percussion Creed School of Percussion. While being a full time teacher/clinician at Percussion Creed, he still travels and participate with international artists all around the world.
