Vince Cherico

5-time Grammy Award Winner, Vince Cherico, is the drummer for featured artists in today’s Jazz and World music venues. From 1995 - 2006 he was the drummer with Ray Barretto & The New World Spirit, later The Ray Barretto Sextet, and developed his reputation in Latin Jazz while touring the world, recording 6 CD’s with 2 Grammy nominations for the albums Contact & Time Was, Time Is.

In 1999 Vince first performed with The Caribbean Jazz Project and developed lasting musical relationships with Paquito D’Rivera and Dave Samuels. In 2003 he became a member of Dave Samuels & The Caribbean Jazz Project, touring with them in North & South America, Europe and Asia with many distinguished concerts including The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, The Red Sea Jazz Festival in Israel, The Jarasum Jazz Festival in Korea and The Cotton Club in Japan.

In 2004 Vince was chosen to be the next drummer for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. He joined them for performances in JALC’s Rose Theatre and domestic and world tours. In 2005 Vince recorded their first CD Una Noche Inolvidable earning a 2006 Grammy nomination. The following year he recorded The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s second CD, Song For Chico, which won the 2009 Grammy Award for “Best Latin Jazz Album”. In 2010, Vince earned another Grammy nomination with The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s third CD 40 Acres & A Burro. Since their departure from Jazz at Lincoln Center, Vince has continued to perform with The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on tour and in New York with a weekly residency at Birdland Jazz Club and semi-annually at New York's Symphony Space.

During 2009 - 2013, along with many other groups, Vince toured with famed vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, with notable performances at Carnegie Hall, the Monterey Jazz Festival and an NPR broadcast performance Live at the Kennedy Center. During this time period, Vince also recorded with the legendary Manhattan Transfer for their CD: The Chick Corea Songbook.

From 2014 - 2016, Vince won 4 Grammy Awards, starting with the 2014 Latin Grammy for Final Night at Birdland, with The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra for “Best Instrumental Recording”. Next in 2015, the Grammy for The Offense of The Drum with The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra for “Best Latin Jazz Album” and later in 2015 his 4th Grammy for the Latin Grammy’s “Best Latin Children’s Album” for Los Animales with Mister G. In November 2016, Vince won his 5th Grammy Award for “Best Latin Jazz Album” for his performance with The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s recording of Cuba: The Conversation Continues.

Vince has performed with many other artists, including: Gato Barbieri, Ray Bryant, Jack Cooper, Bobby Carcassas, Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Faddis, Donald Harrison, Brian Lynch, The NDR Big Band, David Sanchez, Mongo Santamaria, Diane Schuur, Don Sickler, Carlos Potato Valdés, Chucho Valdés, Frank Vignola, Chris Washburne & SYOTOS, Phil Woods & Miguel Zenon.

Currently Vince can be seen every Sunday in New York City with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Birdland Jazz Club, as well as a monthly residency at the Zinc Bar with the Vocal Mania series led by famed singers Janis Siegel & Lauren Kinhan. Vince is also performing at various NYC Jazz Clubs, such as the Blue Note, Smoke, Smalls, Fat Cat & the 55 Bar. He also maintains an active recording schedule with a variety of Jazz artists.