Angelo Velasquez is a proud Los Angeles based drummer, composer, educator, and band leader. He holds his Masters degree in Jazz Performance from California Institute of the Arts and his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from California State University Northridge. Angelo is the 2021 Downbeat winner for best composition, a 2023 International Songwriting Competition Finalist, a 2024 UnsignedOnly Competition Finalist, a Roy O. Disney scholarship winner, and a Herb Alpert Scholarship recipient. The leader of “YOCOYA”, Angelo blends, musical styles from all over the world with jazz, in both his playing and compositions to create a powerful, unifying, and emotional musical experience. Angelo has performed with the likes of Josh Nelson, Dontae Winslow, Darek Oles, Logan Richardson, Luis Conte, Sasha Berliner, Nick Mancini, Steve Lehman, Larry Koonse, Alphonso Johnson, Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron , Brian Scanlon, Ira Nepus, Gary Pratt, Bob Sheppard, Benjamin Sheppard, Bobby Shew, and John Daversa. Angelo has performed at many prestigious Jazz Festivals and Musical events such as The Newport Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Greek Theater, and most recently The Jazz at Lincoln Center. Angelo has also performed and recorded with Pat Vegas of “Redbone”, popular rappers “IDK” and AbSoul, Comedian Dave Chapelle, Grammy nominated artists Monnize Wolf, and Luis Villegas , as well as international touring PBS acts “Benise”, and “Kamran and Hooman” Angelo has also been involved with providing drums for several live cabaret and musical productions including the Original Production of the 2018 winner for best Small Cabaret “Love me, Love me not” By Brandon Holzer. In addition to drum performance, Angelo has also scored music for several Indie Films including “Park Rangers” , “Technology Now”, and “Levantate” By Toshin Rao