Javier Santiago

Javier Santiago is a graduate of the University of Miami with a Masters degree in Jazz Pedagogy. His skills are a fusion of the styles made up his diverse musical background. Though many Fine Arts Summer Academy students will know Javier as the drummer for the Annie Moses Band, his musical journey began in 1982 studying percussion and theory at the Escuela Libre de Musica, a performing arts school, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

As a young boy growing up in Puerto Rico, Javier, along with his brother, were serious about music, as was Manuel Santiago, there ever devoted father and biggest fan. Soon Javier began performing with church groups and friends, and from 1987 to 1992 he set out on his first experience as a touring musician, traveling across Central, South America and Spain with the Latin Continental Singers and Orchestra.

Upon graduating from high school Javier decided to continue his musical training and enrolled at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, earning a bachelors degree in percussion performance, in 1993 with honors.

After graduation Javier embarked on a year of heavy performing, co-production on a record and studio teaching, but Javier’s desire for excellence brought him back to school, at the prestigious, University of Miami, where he earned a Masters degree in Jazz Pedagogy. With a master’s degree under his belt, Javier returned to Puerto Rico where he became an instructor of percussion and drum set at the InterAmerican University.

In 1999 he moved to Nashville and took to the road, touring with the group TRUTH across the U.S. and Canada. Since then Javier has performed with: Ron Kenoly, 4HIM, Russ Taff, Wayne Watson, Nikki Leonti, LaRue, Marco Barrientos, Nestor Torres, Ronnie Freeman, Frank and Diane Marino, Edwin Cotto, OLEM and many others.

Since the spring of 2003 Javier has been playing drums and percussion for the Annie Moses Band, traveling all over the U.S. and recording in a number of the bands studio and live projects. Javier stays busy traveling and recording both in Nashville and PR. he continues to teach and conduct drum clinics where ever possible.