Multi-faceted percussionist, Rolando Morales-Matos is a well sought after Latin, Jazz and Classical musician. He has toured worldwide performing at the major jazz festivals and venues as a percussionist of Ron Carter Foursight Quartet, as well as appearing with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentine, Willie Colon, among others. Rolando has recorded with Ron Carter, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Birdland Big Band, as well as numerous film soundtracks and classical works. In 2006, Rolando was the recipient of Drum Magazine’s World Beat Percussionist of the Year Award. Since 1997, he has been the Percussionist and Assistant Conductor of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Lion King. Rolando has released his solo album “From The Earth” featuring the Hang Drum, and his Latin Jazz group’s album “Forward” among other releases. Rolando Morales-Matos is a faculty member at Curtis Institute of Music, Temple University, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, New Jersey City University and gives clinics and master classes at various universities and conservatories.