The drummer performs this month with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra at Charleston Music Hall
Drummer Gino Castillo will return to the Charleston Music Hall with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra for a Latino jazz concert on September 14.
Growing up in Quito, Ecuador, Gino Castillo wanted to play drums, but his teachers encouraged him to train as a classical musician. He learned to play the violin, but eventually traded the expensive instrument for a cheap drum set so he could follow his passion.
Castillo toured with famous Ecuadorian pop group Cruks en Karnak before training as a percussionist in Cuba and later pursuing his musical career in New York City. In 2010, he relocated his family to Charleston for a job that he expected would involve a packed tour schedule. When the tour didn’t pan out, he found himself in a city where he knew no one, had no gigs, and with few audiences for Latino jazz. Castillo refused to give up on his dream and soon attracted the attention of established local musicians such as Quentin Baxter, Leah Suárez, Charlton Singleton, and Michael Quinn, carving a new path for himself and the Afro-Cuban jazz he loves.
Along his journey, Castillo has collaborated with jazz greats, including guitarist Earl Klugh, Cuban drummer Horacio el negro Hernandez, and Brazilian drummer Pascoal Meirelles; released four albums; and taught in the prestigious Berklee College of Music International Network. Last year, just as Castillo was about to release his latest album, he was diagnosed with leukemia. After an eight-month recovery, he’s recently returned to the stage, and this month, he’s a featured musician with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra at Charleston Music Hall. Here, Castillo shares what’s next.
Starting Out in Charleston: I was in New York doing well, playing with great cats in the Cuban jazz world, then suddenly, I was in Charleston cleaning windows. It was a happy mistake, though. The music scene is so different here because we all support each other with our whole hearts. It was very competitive in New York and Ecuador; people can get mean. But I came to Charleston, and these superstars were helping me. It changed me in a good way.
Gino Castillo is working on an album of original work, which he plans to release early next year.
On His Cancer Diagnosis: I was told I wouldn’t be able to work for a year. I thought I was going to have to sell everything and move back to Ecuador, but my friend Michael Quinn started a GoFundMe [campaign] to help me get through. I have been able to live on that while I heal. Before I got diagnosed, I had been thinking about moving to a bigger city, but so many people gave, and I’m so grateful Charleston is my home. I was in the hospital for three months and home in bed for another three. I learned that I have a support system of people that love me, and I am in love with Charleston like I was born here. I am in remission now and getting back to work.
Sound Advice: I have had a really hard life since I was a kid. But life has taught me that it’s okay. It’s all about how you react to things, not what happens to you. Life is a beautiful gift; we all deserve to be happy and share love. That’s the only thing that matters. Keep fighting for love and happiness, and if you love something very much, don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong. You can follow your dreams, no matter how old you are.
Looking Ahead: My biggest project is being healthy and sharing love. That’s all I want to do, and I can do it through my music. I want to help people understand how easy life could be if we were just nice to each other. I am also doing an EP with friends who are pop stars in Ecuador; it’s salsa versions of their pop tunes. Then, I’ll do a big concert in Quito. I’m going to finish recording the Buena Vista Legacy Band album; it was almost ready before I got sick. I have another project that’s only original music—these are my tunes and what I want to say. I’ve been recording them for years, but now I’m ready to finish and put out a full album.
“Cha-Cha Charleston:“ Listen to Gino Castillo play his original song recorded remotely during the pandemic with more than 40 local musicians.
