Drummer needs to make the gig!

Arnaldo Acosta is a drummer - a fantastic drummer! And he needs his car to make the gig. He won't miss a beat if we all can chip in just a little to get him there. The show can go on like no one blinked (his transmission needs about $3000 worth of attention.)

Arnaldo was born to the rhythms of the Dominican Republic but one of his earliest inspirations came through the television from America. He saw the famous tap dancer Gregory Hines in a movie and excitedly told his family tap dancing was what he intended to do with his life. His sister flat out told him that wasn't a good career choice and his young dream was crushed. But that didn't deter him – he would soon find his beat. His older brother was already an established drummer in Santo Domingo and by the age of ten Arnaldo was subbing for him in the clubs.

“He would give me the ‘bad’ gigs he didn’t want to do,” says Arnaldo. “I saw a lot of fights, and my hands would bleed from metal parts of the drum sticking out. But I learned you can make anything sound good and to do the best you can. Always.” At 17 he took a 2-year gig on a cruise ship and was able to afford a quality drum set and set of congas by the end. “I used that money wisely and was working all the time in Santo Domingo and Santiago after that playing rock, Latin, jazz, wedding bands — all of it.”

Arnaldo never thought of moving to the States but would take vacations to NYC. In 1995 during one of those trips he ended up touring with Al DiMeola to Japan (and would do so again in 2005). That same year he landed in New Mexico for the first time where he has now lived and performed for the last 23 years. New Mexico was similar to his home country in that it received Arnaldo’s talent with open arms and plenty of gigs.

Even with the uncertain future musicians faced during the pandemic, Arnaldo kept it positive. “I just keep it moving forward, keep practicing. I’m fascinated with music, and the drum set, I always look forward to playing, feel curious and feel a fire inside myself.”

So many of us in the local New Mexico scene have played with and enjoyed hearing Arnaldo. He brings the fire every time. Let’s get him back on the road ¡pronto! And he won't miss a beat!