Glen Velez has shaped the percussion world with the artistry of his own hands.

Velez, of Mexican-American ancestry, grew up on Texas, but moved to New York City in the late 1960s. He began his percussion career playing on a jazz drum set, but soon felt himself drawn to hand drums from around the world – frame drums particularly – and sought out teachers from many different genres.

Among the instruments Velez most favors are the Irish bodhrán, the Brazilian pandeiro, the North African bender, the Arabic riq and the Azerbaijani ghaval. While similar in construction, each instrument has its own unique characteristics. By studying and combining their qualities, Velez has developed a groundbreaking, cross-cultural style, such as playing the bodhrán with brushes, which is traditionally not done.

Velez has at the forefront of the increasing popularity of frame drums, both in the U.S. and worldwide. His performances and teaching more than 20 years ago (in 1983) inspired the Remo Drum Co. to develop an entire line of frame drums known as the Glen Velez Signature Series. In 1999, the Cooperman Drum Co. introduced its handmade Signature Series Glen Velez frame drum and tambourine lines.

Beyond frame drums, Velez plays other percussion instruments, such as the Venezuelan maracas and the steel drum. He is also accomplished at overtone singing.

Velez is a longtime member of the Paul Winter Consort and Steve Reich and Musicians. His numerous other collaborations include Howard Levy, Steve Gorn, Layne Redmond, Malcom Dalglish and Rabih Abou-Khalil.

As a bandleader, Velez has released at least a dozen albums, beginning with “Handdance” in 1983.

He regularly performs with Trio Globo (featuring Levy and Eugene Friesen), his own Glen Velez Ensemble, in duo performances with vocalist Lori Cotler, and alongside scholar and poet Coleman Barkes.

Velez has won three Grammy awards.