About The Artist
Chillie Willie Groove is a celebrated performing artist, music producer, arranger, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans more than 60 years of powerful performances across the globe. Known for his commanding presence and soul-stirring percussion style, Chillie Willie is a Latin percussionist, drummer, guitarist, and keyboardist whose artistry blends technical mastery with deep emotional storytelling.
An ASCAP member and proud Local 47 Los Angeles Musicians Union member, Chillie Willie has earned recognition as a lifelong contributor to the music world, receiving the 2023 Lifetime Living Legend Award for Latin Jazz/Smooth Jazz percussion and being named a 2026 Connecticut Hall of Fame Inductee for Lifetime Music Performer.
Chillie Willie Groove’s signature sound merges Contemporary Latin Jazz and Smooth Jazz with Classic Jazz, infused with vibrant elements of R&B, Soul, Funk, Latin, Reggae, and Gospel rhythms. His performances are more than concerts — they are musical conversations that connect straight to the listener’s spirit, offering an experience that soothes the mind, body, soul, and spirit through rhythm, groove, and passion.
Lifetime award-winning Latin percussionist and multi-instrumentalist
Chillie Willie Groove is an award-winning performer, producer, songwriter, and master Latin percussionist with 60+ years of live performance experience. An ASCAP member and Local 47 LA Musicians Union member
Latin Jazz and Smooth Jazz with Classic Jazz, infused with R&B, Funk, Reggae, Soul, and Gospel rhythms
A 2023 Lifetime Living Legend Award recipient and 2026 Connecticut Hall of Fame Inductee, Chillie Willie has performed worldwide and shared stages with legends including Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Chuck Mangione, Tower of Power, Spyro Gyra, Bootsy Collins, and George Benson.
Chillie Willie Groove Residency Programs
Chillie Willie Groove residency programs are designed to impart knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Jazz, Latin Jazz, and multiple musical styles, while providing a strong foundation for further musical exploration. Students learn the fundamentals of improvisational technique, Latin percussion instruments, and rhythm application across a variety of genres.
Through hands-on instruction and guided performance, students develop confidence, creativity, and musical ability—regardless of experience level.
Program Focus
Participants will learn and perform traditional rhythms including:
Mambo
Merengue
Son Montuno
Plena
Bomba
Samba
6/8 Rhythms
Mozambique
Each instrument and rhythm fosters students’ creative potential while strengthening timing, coordination, and musical expression.
Program Offerings
Residency programs may include:
Lectures
Demonstrations
Percussion Performance Technique
Latin Jazz Poetry accompanied with Latin percussion
Integration of modern music technology including:
Drum machines
Contemporary performance tools and techniques
Student Levels
Beginners to Master-level students are welcomed
Instruction is tailored to meet students at their current level while helping them grow in skill, confidence, and musical understanding.
Availability
Chillie Willie Groove residency programs are available for:
K–6: Yes
Grades 7–12: Yes
Higher Education: Yes
After School & Out-of-School Programs: Yes
