Highly regarded as one of the most sought out drummers in South Florida., we are proud to present Ettienne Fuentes Jr.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ettienne has been playing drums for over 30 years. After studying in the island with great private drum teachers like Rudy Regalado, Freddie Santiago and Tony Sanchez Sr., he entered the Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico for 1 ' years then moved to the U.S. to go on the road. Eventually established in Miami where he enrolled at the University of Miami studying with Steve Rucker, Steve Bagby, Fred Wickstrom and others earning the Bachelor Degree in Studio Music and Jazz.

He has performed, recorded and/or toured with artists such as Chuck Mangione, Nestor Torres, Letha Galloway, Arturo Sandoval, Dom Um Rumao, Debbie Spring, Ira Sullivan, and the list goes on. Around 1990, he co-founded Outcast, a unique rock band that captured the Miami rock scene for the next 4-5 years fusioning rock, latin, and funk with English and Spanish lyrics, probably the start of the Rock en Espa'ol movement in Miami. From 1996 to approximately 2006, he worked with international latin sensation Chayanne, not only as his drummer but, for a few tours, as his Musical Coordinator. During 2005, he also preformed with Marc Anthony, Chayanne and Alejandro Fernandez on the "Amigos World Tour."

In between his busy touring schedule he still kept teaching and doing clinics. He is also co-founder and is now recording for a new band out of Miami, YERBA BLUE, a mix of bluegrass, rock and latin. Also recently joined Featured on Fridays, a unique duo that mixes rock, jazz, country, heavy metal, etc. with the use of odd meters and a good dose of high energy. Other band/projects he is part of are: The Brass Evolution, an 11 piece band whose repertoire includes Chicago, Chase, Blood Sweat and Tears, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, and many more. Amereida, a unique duo that performs World Music.

At the present, his jazz fusion trio R.I.F.F. is under construction!!! Ettienne shares his talents with Matt Johnson (bass) and Mitch Farber (electric guitar). Watch out for news!

Some of his main influences in music, from Rock to Progressive Rock to Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Fusion, World Beat are The Who, Led Zeppelin, ELP, U.K., Grand Funk Railroad, Van Halen, Chicago, BS&T, Beatles, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Steve Vai, Zappa, Weather Report, Palmieri, John Scofield, Scott Henderson, Mike Stern, Djavan, Hermeto Pascual, etc.

Drummers that influenced his playing and he still listens and study are Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, Jojo Mayer, Chad Wackerman, Gary Husband, Terry Bozzio, Chad Smith, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones and many others.

Ettienne is currently endorsed by Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drumheads and Vic Firth Sticks. For more about Ettienne, visit EttienneFuentesJr.com.