Henry Cole emerged onto the music scene in old San Juan in 1999 where he studied classical percussion at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico. However, it was not until a few years later, while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, that Cole’s musical evolution pointed him naturally towards the jazz tradition. He went back home with a new energy and focus and performed as the “house drummer” for the 1st Annual “Jazzboriken” Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He played with such Latin jazz luminaries as Giovanni Hidalgo, Bobby Valentin, Anthony Carrillo, Dave Valentin, and Paoli Mejias. While back in Puerto Rico, Cole had the opportunity to hone his craft with a variety of artists both within and beyond the world of jazz. They include performances with Jerry Gonzalez, Eric Figueroa (Latin- jazz trio), Claudia Acuña, Luis Marin, La PVC (salsa), Danilo Perez, Branford Marsalis, William Cepeda Afrorrican Jazz, Vivanativa (rock), Cheo Feliciano, Ramon Vasquez Quartet, among others. In addition to his extensive performance experience, Cole conducted drum-set clinics for the percussion festival at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, and at the Inter American University.
