Xavier Padilla

XAVIER PADILLA was born in Caracas, Venezuela. A bass player, composer and arranger he started in the late 70’s as a member of the award winning experimental group AUTANA, then cooperated with local groups such as Cuarteto de Música Creativa, Octano, Adrenalina Caribe, Salsa Silva y Guerra, la Típica Manía, Paraguas, Sangre Nueva and finally with the iconic national composer and conductor Aldemaro Romero. Xavier grew up inmersed in musical genres as diverse as Afro Venezuelan folk music, Cuban Son, Gaita, Salsa, Jazz, Fusion, Brazilian Folk and Pop, Free Jazz, Blues, Progressive Rock, Latin Jazz and Latin Pop. In the early years of his career he recorded in GUACO’s arranger (RICARDO HERNÁNDEZ) first solo album. By then he had already toured –at 21– with legendary « Queen of Salsa » CELIA CRUZ.

In 2001 THE GIPSY KINGS invited Xavier to fill in the bass spot, which lead to an intense stint of writing and world touring with the internationally acclaimed group. He authored one of the most prized ballads they ever recorded, « Como Siento Yo », which Nicolas Reyes, lead singer of the band uses present as his « favorite song ».

Currently Xavier Padilla leads his own group GIPSY 4 EVER.