Eliel Lazo

Cuban percussionist, born November 1, 1983. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Eliel Lazo began playing at an early age, egged on by his enthusiastic family. He studied at Oscar Valdes’ School of Percussion (former singer and percussionist, of Irakere band). In 2003, at the age of 19, Eliel won the prestigious PERCUBA International Percussion Prize.

Eliel Lazo first visited Denmark in 2004 on an invitation from the Danish Radio Big Band. Other invitations followed. Soon Denmark became a stable base on his travels around the world, and in 2007 he made Copenhagen his home.

He has played with musicians such as Michel Camilo, Chucho Valdes, Changuito, Tata Guines, Herbie Hancock, Bob Mintzer, Oscar Valdes, Carlos del Puerto, Airto Moreira. He has also played with Cuban bands Diakara, Klimax and Habana Ensemble. He has worked with the Danish Radio Big Band, The Savage Rose, The Antonelli Orchestra, Blanco Y Negro, Mikkel Nordsoe Band, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Tip Toe Big Band as well as WDR Big Band from Germany and BBC Big Band from The UK.