This week, Karen talks with Puerto Rican Trombonist and Emerging Artist, Xavier Matos Perez (aka Xavi) about living in Puerto Rico and his path to a career as a musician.
Xavier started playing trombone at the age of 15 in a local marching band where had the opportunity to audition for a specialized music school in a nearby town. Having been very invested in sports up until that point, Xavi wasn’t sure if music was the right path for him. However, after winning a scholarship to attend a master class at the Conservatory, his mind was completely blown and his decision was. There was no question in his mind what he was going to do for the rest of his life and he went on to audition for the Conservatory that very next year.
For this interview, Xavi has traveled to Nashville to partake in the CAS Performance and Musician Wellness Workshop and is most looking forward to meeting other musicians and growing as a person and musician. For some time now, he has noticed his own personal interest in working behind the scenes for these kinds of workshops and events. Back in Puerto Rico, he has even organized a number of seminars with other musicians. He looks forward to being apart of and collaborating in many more events and feels that it is a necessity for musicians in Carribean countries like Puerto Rico to have access to these kinds of workshops and seminars.
Xavi loves living in Puerto Rico and would recommend his hometown of Cabo Rojo to anyone wanting to visit and explore the island. He loves going to the beach with his dog, playing trombone in local folkloric events, eating his mom’s home cooked meals, and drinking refreshing mojitos. Xavi says that there is a lot of musical talent in Puerto Rico and many resources for musicians looking to further their careers.
His advice for his younger self? “Keep Going and Work Harder”
You can find Xavier on Instagram, Facebook, and his new website coming soon!
