Biography Tour, Recording, Educator and Clinician Percussionist, Composer and Singer His Background included: Honorary degree in percussion teaching, giving for George Gershwin Conservatory (Ecuador) / Percussion studies in: Caturla Conservatory, / Felix Varela Conservatory, and many private lesson (Cuba) / Since then his musical talent has been heard in many albums, and live shows, as he has collaborated with many international artists, such as: Earl Klugh, Ray Parker Jr, Horacio el Negro Hernández , Charleston Jazz Orchestra , Jose Pepito Gomez, John Benítez, Pascoal Meirelles,, Paulo Moura,  , Alex Alvear , Oscarito Valdés, David Lee, Jessy J, André Neiva, Zacai Curtis, Rafael Paceiro, Emilio Morales, Frank Rubio, Ymelda Marie-Louisa , Cruks en Karnak, Juan Fernando Velasco, Carmen González, and more. / His Teaching experience included Berklee International Network, George Gershwin Conservatory, Centro de Percusion latina GC, and several Clinics with Sabian Cymbals and Pearl Drums. Gino 1 This, between many more work as a recording artist and extensive touring, some of which resulted in colaborations with experienced musicians from around the world as Pepito Gómez, Alex, Alvear, Parcoal Meirelles Andre Neiva, Paulo Moura, Oscarito Valdes, Rafael Paceiro, Emilo Morales, Ymelda Marie-Louise, Javier Tito Junco’s  live cd (“Sinfonia en Jazz 2001”), Piso 21 from Colombia, Cuban singer Mara Bauza and Horacio “El negro” Hernandez, this last one who joined Gino in a national Tour with percussion clinics donde by Pearl, which since 2007 has been Castillo’s exclusive sponsor, making him the first Latin American percussionist to appear on there regular e-newsletter in which they promoted the record release of “Ya Llegamos”. All of this soon to be included in Pearl’s website and catalogues. At the same time, since year 2003 Gino has maintained his cymbals sponsor with Sabian, becoming the first Ecuadorian musician to be sponsored by a worldwide brand. To follow up his success, in 2006 ecuadorian drumsticks brand Pears did a exclusive Gino Castillo’s signature drumsticks…all of this followed up to by a personal recommendation by latin music master, Ruben Blades, who on his weekly show that air’s through www.rubenblades.com recomends Castillo’s Music. On the more Educational side, Gino Castillo was the head Percussion teacher sin 2003 until 2007 for the “Instituto de Musica Contemporanea” from Universidad San Fransisco de Quito and which is part of the Berklee College of Music Network. He’s also developed a learning method called “La Tecnica es la tecnica y sin tecnica no hay tecnica” which is schedule for a DVD and found in 2009 in asociation with Conservatorio George Gershwin, the "Centro de Percusión Latina Gino Castillo". Since January 2009, he owns the “Centro de Percusion Latina Gino Castillo” which is part of the George Gershwin Conservatory in Quito, Ecuador, where he has been developing a modern method of learning based on his many years as a musician and teacher. His album “Ya llegamos” (dedicated to Paola Racines [r.i.p.])is his first latin jazz record as a solo artist. Before that in 2006, he had already done a similar album with the band “Santa Palabra”. The album was called “Un Dia” which contained compositions by all musicians. “Ya Llegamos” instead is in its totally an album composed by Gino himself, which he had the honor to share the estudio experience with about 27 national and international musicians, like Horacio “El negro” Hernandez, Earl Klugh, Jessy J, Alex Alvear, Michelle Ferre, Carlos Mena, Tony Rodriguez (Isaac Delgado’s ex pianist), Carlos Miyares (from Chucho Valdez group), Christian Hidrovo, and many more musicians whom recorded in Quito, New Jersey and La Habana, and mixed & mastered at PJ Audio in Quito, Ecuador, by Paul Jacome.