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Rene Gonzalez
Upon his completion of high school, Rene was accepted into Texas State University's Music program where he went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. During his stay at Texas State University, Rene was a vital member of the institution’s award-winning salsa band, Salsa Del Rio. Rene won many awards with Salsa Del Rio including the "Best Conguero" award at the Notre Dame's Collegiate Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary in 2008 and a Down Beat Magazine’s "Best Blues, Pop and Rock Recording" award for Salsa Del Rio’s album Llorarás in 2007. Additionally, while performing with Salsa Del Rio, the band won three awards at Univision’s Premios a La Musica Latina in San Antonio, Texas for Best Salsa Band of the Year. The band also participated at the 2007 Brienz Jazz Festival and Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Rene is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Latin Music Performance and Percussion Performance at Texas State University. He is an active member of the Austin, Texas, music scene as the conguero for Cienfuegos and La Mona Loca. He is also a member of the critically acclaimed Henry Brun & the Latin Playerz with whom he has received international recognition and several awards. Henry Brun's most recent project, the Modern Latino Big Band, has allowed him to share the stage with Jazz legend Dave Brubeck, the powerful Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars at the 2008 Jazz’SAlive Festival in San Antonio, Texas. Rene has also had the opportunity to perform with the Latin Playerz at the 2008 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Austin, Texas, 2010 Taichung Jazz Festival in Taichung, Taiwan and the 2011 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Rene has been fortunate to play with great musicians such as Pete Rodriguez, Cita Rodriguez, Mike Vax, Brian Lynch, Larry Harlow, Memo Acevedo, Victor Rendon, Georgie Padilla, Luis Gasca, Ephraim Owens, Butch Miles, Tejano Legends Little Joe, Ruben El Gato Negro Ramos, Michael Salgado, and Rick Trevino. < Back to the Toca Artists Main Men
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Born
and raised in the border city of Laredo, Texas, Rene Gonzalez began playing
percussion at 11 years old. He continued studying percussion throughout
high school and during this time when Rene's high school band
director took him to a sound check with the legendary Poncho Sanchez.
Inspired by Poncho Sanchez' performance, Rene made a concerted effort
to approach Latin percussion head on.