Born in Quito-Ecuador, José O. began his musical studies at the School of the Ecuadorian National Symphony Orchestra. He moved to Chicago in 1998 where he received his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at Columbia College. He completed his Masters degree in Percussion Performance at Northeastern Illinois University.

 

He has played with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and with the Ecuadorian National Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. He has toured and recorded with the Grammy nominee Cuban artist Chuchito Valdez. Currently, he is active performing around the Chicago area playing in a variety of bands covering different styles such as Jazz, Rock, Latin Jazz and Funk.