“A marimbist on a mission, Juan Álamo musical personality aspires to delight you with expressive variety. Relish the detailed nuances unfolding from his insights into Bach’s well-structured composition, the delightful differences he points out in Beethoven’s Bagatelles, each one a miniature character study unique in style….”

— Dr. Doug Walter (Univeristy of Colorado Boulder)

Dr. Juan Álamo is an internationally renowned marimbist, composer, and educator from Caguas, Puerto Rico. Known for his dynamic artistry, Álamo seamlessly fuses classical finesse, Latin rhythms, and jazz improvisation, captivating audiences across the Americas and Europe. He is Professor of Percussion and Area Head of Wind, Brass, and Percussion at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a soloist, Juan Álamo has been featured on radio and television throughout Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and the U.S. His discography highlights a bold, genre-blending voice: Remembrance (2007) introduced his original compositions alongside fresh takes on marimba classics, while Marimjazzia (2014) fused Latin, jazz, and classical styles. Subsequent albums—Pursuing Freedom (2016), Ruta Panorámica (2019), and Ensoñación (2021)—trace a path of innovation grounded in tradition. His latest release, Marimbissimo: A Latin American Suite for Marimba and Big Band (2024), stands as a compelling artistic statement—an ambitious fusion of genres that highlights the marimba’s expressive potential within the rich sonic landscape of the big band tradition. 

A dedicated educator and composer, Dr. Álamo has authored widely used pedagogical resources, including Four Mallet Music for the Modern Marimba Player and Marimbissimo: A Musical Guide to Chordal Voicing and Improvisation (2023). He is also co-author, with Arthur Lipner, of Milt Jackson: Transcribed Solos of the Master, a significant contribution to vibraphone studies. His compositions and arrangements are published by Musicon Publications, Row-Loff, C. Alan Publications, and Mallet Works Inc. Álamo has presented masterclasses and performances at leading percussion festivals worldwide, including PASIC (U.S.), Tamborimba (Colombia), Drum Fest (Poland) and events in Spain, France, Germany, and Italy. He is an artist-clinician for Yamaha, Meinl Percussion, and Innovative Percussion. 

Through his performances, recordings, and educational outreach, Dr. Juan Álamo continues to inspire a new generation of percussionists while advancing the marimba as a vehicle for cultural exchange, scholarly exploration, and artistic expression.