Meet Frankie Quinones | Latin Percussionist & Drummer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frankie Quinones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frankie, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
The habits that I feel have helped me succeed as working musician is to consistently stay open to learning about new cultures, rhythms, music and people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a percussionist that focuses on using latin percussive instruments to fuse rhythms into any genre of music. What I believe sets me apart is that I I work to have an authentic sound and that I am not tied to any specific form or genre of music. I love to play it all, be it Jazz, Salsa, Funk, Pop etc. I am most proud of my family! My wife and three daughters are what excite me the most! I am excited about watching them grow into adult hood and become who they are destined to become. My wife is also a ROCK STAR!
I started playing drums and percussion in the church. I began to take music seriously in my junior year of Highschool where I joined a local band back home in Buffalo NY. After high school I decided to apply and got accepted to Berklee College of Music. It has not been an easy journey, but I would not trade it for anything. Each setback and disappointment has added to my music and has enhanced the story I tell via the drum. I would not say that you overcome. I would say that you stay, fight and decide to show up. Each experience adds to who you are and the story that you tell in your music. Overcoming is to forget and move on. I choose to play it and live in every moment.
I would like the world to know that when you hear me play, please know that I am making an effort to play from an honest place with respect to those who have come before me and for those that are coming after me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my best fried to Ten ATL on Monday night for the Jazz Jam Session. Here you will hear the best of the best on the ATL Jazz scene. I would then treat them to Hal’s in Buckhead for a good steak. I would also make a stop at Cutter Cigar & Spirit in Alpharetta for a good cigar and the best cappuccino martini in the land and live music by Canelita Sabrosa! Mid-week we would have to make a stop in Norcross at Cafe Dominicano, where we would have the best Dominican lunch that is always freshly cooked and ready to serve. I would also make a stop at Buteco near the East Village for some good Brazilian eats and the best drinks!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to send a shout to my graduate school Professor, Dr. Amable Paulino! I credit Dr. Paulino with mentoring me during a time in my life where I had lost direction on how to reach my goals. Dr. Paulino encouraged me and strategically taught me to think outside the box. He pushed me to work not only on the present but to work and prepare for what would come in the future. With Dr. Paunlino I learned to be an advanced thinker, communicator, planner, writer and a confident Latino man. His lessons not only impacted me as a person but as a family man, business leader and musician. I apply those lessons on a daily basis which have impacted my business as an IT Professional and has allowed me to consistently tap into a creative mindset that has no boundaries. Gracias Dr. Paulino!!!!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_frankie_q_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-qui%C3%B1ones-msib-4014b833/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rumbero911

Image Credits
1st photo – Aric Thompson 2nd photo – Lucius Smith 3rd photo – El Dominicano