Last updated: 4 hours ago
One listen—and one look at the overlapping Venn diagram of musical styles navigated by
drummer, percussionist, and composer Daniel Villarreal—reveals an artist who thrives across
genres. In his case, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” feels especially apt. Villarreal moves fluidly from psychedelia and jazz to Latin rock, fusion, funk, blues, ballads, salsa, and soul, shaping these influences into something personal and unmistakable. At the center of his music is the beat: a grounding, propulsive groove that engages both body and mind, live or on record.
Known for his collaborative spirit, Villarreal has performed and recorded extensively with the
genre-blurring collective Dos Santos, while also developing a growing body of work as a
bandleader and sideman. His collaborators span a wide musical spectrum, including Jeff Parker,
Anna Butterss, Joe Chambers, Neal Francis, Mary Lattimore, Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Charlie Hall of The War On Drugs, and cellist Leyla McCalla. Across these partnerships, Villarreal brings a composer’s ear to the drum set and an improviser’s instinct for structure, form, and restraint.
Since settling in Philadelphia, Villarreal has formed Daniel Villarreal Trio with vibraphonist
Victor Vieira-Branco and bassist John Moran.
Whether leading or supporting, Villarreal consistently blurs the line between rhythm and melody, positioning percussion as a dynamic and expressive narrative force.
by Bruce Warren -WXPN (Philadelphia)
drummer, percussionist, and composer Daniel Villarreal—reveals an artist who thrives across
genres. In his case, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” feels especially apt. Villarreal moves fluidly from psychedelia and jazz to Latin rock, fusion, funk, blues, ballads, salsa, and soul, shaping these influences into something personal and unmistakable. At the center of his music is the beat: a grounding, propulsive groove that engages both body and mind, live or on record.
Known for his collaborative spirit, Villarreal has performed and recorded extensively with the
genre-blurring collective Dos Santos, while also developing a growing body of work as a
bandleader and sideman. His collaborators span a wide musical spectrum, including Jeff Parker,
Anna Butterss, Joe Chambers, Neal Francis, Mary Lattimore, Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Charlie Hall of The War On Drugs, and cellist Leyla McCalla. Across these partnerships, Villarreal brings a composer’s ear to the drum set and an improviser’s instinct for structure, form, and restraint.
Since settling in Philadelphia, Villarreal has formed Daniel Villarreal Trio with vibraphonist
Victor Vieira-Branco and bassist John Moran.
Whether leading or supporting, Villarreal consistently blurs the line between rhythm and melody, positioning percussion as a dynamic and expressive narrative force.
by Bruce Warren -WXPN (Philadelphia)
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