BIO

Marco Toro is a versatile drummer, percussionist and composer born in Caracas, who´s roots are embedded in Venezuelan popular music and culture.

In 2021 he released his latest work, this time it´s all about Latin Jazz: Marco Toro presents Zambo Jazz, a mixture of rhythms and flavors that reminds the listener of places like Africa, South America and New Orleans.

Marco Toro shows his diversity in the drums and percussion once again, playing as always with first class musicians.

Besides playing drums, timbal, congas, bongos and cowbell, he also plays typical Afro-Venezuelan instruments like cumaco, culo e’ puya, campana drum, tamboras, maracas etc.

He does not only play all kinds of percussion instruments, he also plays a wide variety of styles.

Already in 2004 he embarked on a solo project: Marco Toro y su Ensamble, exploring South American rhythms like Son, Joropo, and Salsa, among others. With this group he released nine albums.

Marco Toro is now playing with Lucas van Merwijk´s Drums United since 2008, touring across Europe, USA, Canada, South America, China & Thailand.

In 1989 Marco Toro formed Laberinto, a rock band that became known for creating “Metalatino,” a unique mix of tight metal and Latin percussion.

In 1992 Laberinto moved from Caracas to Amsterdam, where the band edited eight albums between 1996 and 2010.

Dutch rap legend Osdorp Posse featured in The World Might Suck, from 2008.

A ninth album: The best of Laberinto was released in Venezuela.

After years of successful and extensive touring through Europe Colombia and Venezuela they went their separate ways.


He has shared stage and recorded with many renowned artists such as: Barry Hay & The JB Meijers, Andy Gonzalez, La India, Jimmy Bosch, Metropole Orkest, Laberinto, Terry Jones Rogers & Scott Nienhaus (The Birds), Osdorp Posse, Lucas van Merwijk´s Drums United, Cubop City Big Band, Ricky Luis N’klabe, Pedro Arroyo, Orlando Poleo, De Pana, Beatbusters & Def P, Santanico, G. Clarinda y la Rítmica, Orquesta Primera Plana, Orquesta Bembe, El Trabucombo, Marejada, Tierra Caliente, Rudy Albano, Jacqueline Castro, Subject to Change, Tumbao, Grupo Kilele, Javier Plaza y su Orquesta Sonrisa, FP La Banda, Chucky y su Trabuco Guarimba, Barrio Nuevo, La Misma Gente de Amsterdam, Marike Jager, Kuenta i Tambu, Kings of the bongo, Session XXL, Carmen Gabriela Lozada, Mate, Alejandro Carbajal, Flaco Carrillo, Silicon Head, Wereld Kinder Festival, Bart Noorman´s virtual school, Pistoleros de la Paz, Conjunto Amsterdam, Acción con Clave, Guarenason 5, T&A Connection, Mercenaries Of Silence, Zambo Jazz, Jeome Lee, and many more.

Marco Toro is sponsored by Zildjian Cymbals, Mapex Drums, Pearl Percussion and Aquarian Drumheads.