Keisel Jiménez Leyva is an extremely versatile drummer and percussionist specializing in timbal, congas and drum set. Born in 1983 in Camagüey, Cuba Jiménez worked as a session musician as well as live performer and is especially known for his work with Alexander Abreu y Havana D'Primera, Isaac Delgado and Alain Perez.
Jiménez Leyva earned his Master’s Degree in Classical Percussion at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Cuba. During his education, he had the opportunity to tour the world as a drummer with the legendary orchestra Orlando Valle Maraca, performing at festivals and renowned venues in Canada, France, The Netherlands and Morocco.
Throughout his career Jiménez has studied a broad range of percussion with diverse teachers in Cuba such as Antonio Liza, Carlito Fuentes, Diomer González, Roberto Consepcion Rubi, Abdel Rivera, Luis Cantero, Damaris, Gretchen Pineda and Eugenio Silva.
After his graduation he worked as a teacher of percussion himself at Institute of Superior Art (ISA) as well as at the National School of Arts in Havana and became one of the most in-demand percussionists in Cuba. His discography includes over 50 albums and spans across all genres.
In December 2015, Jiménez moved to New York. His goal has been to broaden his musical horizons and implement his experience, knowledge, and perspective into the Latin music scene. Over the last few years, he performed with artists such as the great Ellis Marsalis, David Murray and Lionel Loueke amongst others. Since 2017, he has also been an integral member of Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and has regularly performed at renowned venues nationally and internationally such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg, Germany. As a fixed member of Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, he was part of «Fandango at the Wall», who won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2023.
He further regularly performs with renowned artists such as Pedrito Martinez, Jon Batiste or Jorge Luis Pacheco.
For private classes, concert requests or other, please contact us here:
keiseljimenezleyva@gmail.com
+1 (857) 316 5313
© 2025 Keisel Jimenez