Daniel Ponce San Martin (born in Puebla, Mexico on April 12, 1989) was exposed at an early age to music. Daniel began studying piano when he was 6 years old. He began playing drums at 9, and by age 16 he began playing in local bars and venues.
Daniel studied in a contemporary music college for 3 years. Afterwards he started studying with Professor Luis Huerta (5-time Latin Grammy Award winner).
Upon completing studies with Professor Huerta, he lived for a long season in Cuba where he had the opportunity to see and learn about Afro-Cuban culture. During this period, he took private lessons with some of the most important drummers and percussionists on the island, including:
• Juan Carlos Rojas (Drummer of Afro Cuban Messengers, Maraca),
• Jean Roberto (Klimax),
• Enrique Pla (Irakere),
• Rodney Barreto (Havana D´ Primera), and others.
Then he moved to New York to live for another season, where he took private lessons with Robby Ameen, Marvin Diz, Dafnis Prieto and Ignacio Berroa.
Upon his return to Mexico, Daniel started playing in different musical situations. He began playing occasionally with international artist such as Lila Downs, Hernaldo Zúñiga, Celso Duarte, Julio Revueltas. In addition, he started playing with multiple projects in the local jazz scene.
During this time, he started teaching at music schools including REC Musica Centro De Estudios Musicales, Gmartell College Of Music, Tempo Musica, and Escuela Alternativa De Musica. Daniel also teaches onsite private lessons to students from all over Mexico and remote lessons via Skype to students in several countries including Norway, United States of America, Colombia, Argentina and El Salvador.
In 2014 he landed his first big gig with Leonel Garcia and the “Amor Futuro Tour“ where he played in theaters and festivals all over Mexico and some Latin-American countries in all 2014 and part of 2015.
In 2015 he had the opportunity to play with the Mexico National Symphonic Orchestra at Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of the most important and beautiful venues in the world. That same year he went on tour to Russia with the Mexican singer Ana Diaz.
In 2016 Daniel started playing with the super famous latin duo “Sin Bandera” on the “Una Ultima Vez” tour with 52 concerts in 2016. In this tour he played in the most important venues of Latin America and the United States, such as: Auditorio Nacional (Mexico), Arena Monterrey (Mexico), Coliseo De Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico), Luna Park (Argentina), Movistar Arena (Chile), Microsoft Theater (Los Angeles), Estadio Saprissa (Costa Rica).
In addition, on this tour he perfomed in the most important music festival in Latin America: Viña Del Mar in Chile.
In 2017 he started a new tour with the duo Sin Bandera “Encore Acústico” where he has played 61 shows as of July, 2018 in countries like: Canada, United States of America, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and many others.
Currently, Daniel is looking to start a new tour on fall 2018 with Sin Bandera & Camila called “4 Latidos Tour”, scheduled many shows in Arenas & Coliseums in 2018 and 2019, all over United States of America, Mexico And Latin America.
Some recordings in which he has collaborated:
“Primera Fila Acústico, Una Última Vez” – Sin Bandera, 2017, Sony Music Latin. “Amor Futuro Acústico” – Leonel Garcia, 2015, Sony Music Latin.
“Miradas” – Nana Mendoza, 2018, Alternativa Representa. “Sonando” – Malanga Latin Jazz, 2017, Independent.
“Azul Melancolía” – Jade, 2016, Independent. “Touching Me, Touching You” – MYST, 2016, Azteca Music. “Navidad Con La Esperanza Azteca” – Orquesta Esperanza Azteca, 2015, Azteca Music.
He owns a home studio where he regularly records songs and jingles for clients in Mexico, Latin America and Spain.
Countries where he has played:
Mexico, United States of America, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Puerto Rico & República Dominicana.
He endorses Istanbul Agop & Vic Firth.
