Manny Cepeda

Performer, percussionist, composer, singer, and arranger:

Manny Cepeda was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. His mother, Maria Isabel Cepeda de Rivera, and his father, Leonides Rivera Cabrera, were both significant influences on Manny’s musical development. Manny’s mother was the sister of the famous Folklorist “Rafael Cepeda,” and during her visits to her brother’s house, Manny learned the tools of music from his cousins and his uncle, Rafael. Manny has been making music his entire life. His cousin, Modesto Cepeda, gave Manny his first drum at age 5, and by age 7, Manny was already performing professionally.

Manny studied at Puerto Rico's "Escuela Libre de Musica" and the Pablo Casals Conservatory, and attended the "Interlochen Music Camp" in Traverse City, Michigan, on scholarship. He graduated from Illinois State University, Ellington University in New Orleans, and La Verne University in Naples, Italy.

Manny currently leads his own Salsa band in San Diego, CA, and composes his own music and arranges Latin Jazz for prominent musicians in San Diego, New York, and Puerto Rico. Manny’s compositions include his choral work called “Como Águas Tibias,” published by Pavane music, featured by Grossmont College Master Chorale, as well as a performance conducted by Regina Carlow, Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Choral Conductor's Workshop with Rod Eichenberger, Cannon Beach, Oregon, August 5, 2011, Carol Rich, Pianist.

Manny's first professional performance was as the drummer and timbale player in the highly acclaimed variety TV show "Show de Vigoreaux" on San Juan, Puerto Rico's Channel 4, and then with other famous bands such as Babo Jimenez, Richie Ray, Willie Colon, and others.

Manny has performed at festivals and for dignitaries throughout South America, Africa, and Europe. He was the leader of the famous Navy Steel Band and the world-traveled U.S. Navy Show Band. His passion for music was developed as a young boy, rooted in a rich family history of musical professionals from the famous "Cepeda" family.

His over 50 years of musical experience make him a fountain of knowledge in the Latin Music genre. He was the leader of the famous Navy Steel Band and the world-traveled U.S. Navy Show Band. He toured the entire continent of South America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.
While touring in South America, he made seven deployments, performing 164 concerts and festivals within seven years. His knowledge and expertise as a composer/arranger blend his unique music styles gathered throughout his world travels.

The energy his compositions bring to the audience is nothing but fire and excitement. His unique music enriches your life culturally and socially, with its distinctive combination of sequencing and live performance, blending technology and human feel in a way unequalled on the entire West Coast.
Manny’s latest accomplishments include becoming a published composer for 3-2 Music Publishing for his works on Afro-Cuban Big Band and Little Big Band compositions and arrangements. To this writing, Manny has composed over 70 Big Band Charts for Afro-Cuban Music.

Manny’s discography includes his newest CD Release of Bomba y Plena music dedicated to his uncle, “Rafael Cepeda,” called “Roots/Raices,” and his Latin Grammy-nominated Salsa/Fusion CD “Padre Querido.”

A nominee for a Latin Grammy in 2017, Manny currently leads his own Salsa band in San Diego, CA. He composes and arranges his Afro-Cuban/Caribbean music for notable musicians in San Diego, New York, and Puerto Rico. Manny's initial professional performance was as the drummer and timbale player on the highly regarded variety television show "Show de Vigoreaux" on Channel 4 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed by collaborations with other well-known bands such as "Babo Jimenez, Richie Ray, Willie Colon, and more."

Manny has showcased his talents at festivals and for dignitaries across South America, Africa, and Europe. He led the renowned Navy Steel Band and the internationally touring U.S. Navy Show Band, traveling throughout South America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. His deep passion for music was nurtured from a young age, stemming from a rich family legacy of musical professionals in the famous "Cepeda" family. With over 60 years of musical experience, he is a wellspring of knowledge in the Latin Music genre.