Joan


Joan Velez Plays exclusively  CE Winds Soprano
&  CE Winds Artist Series Tenor

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Joan Velez began playing drums at age 11 before migrating to Tenor Saxophone one year later. While a student at the prestigious La Escuela Libre de Música in Arecibo he started listening to artist like: Nelson Rangell, David Sanborn, Miles Davis, Ed Calle, Kirk Whalum, Grover Washington, Euge Groove, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, and Paquito D’ Rivera which had the greatest impact on his playing. He study under the greats teacher, Ricardo Pons and Angel David Matos. In 2000, Joan Velez received the Berklee College of Music “Outstanding Musicianship” Certificate. He has performed in jazz festivals and he has shared the stage witt jazz artists such as Mike Arroyo, Angel David Matos, Ricardo Pons, Nidya Caro, Raymond Rousseu, Jimmy Rivera, Travis Vega, and others. He continues to perform regularly with his own band The Velez Brothers and Producing for other artist. Joan Velez has 2 solo records under his belt (“Everything I Love” & “Feel The Rain”) becoming one of the raising stars in the smooth Jazz world.  He continues to perform regularly with his Brother Cristian and studying with Jazz Legend Walter Beasley.