Wilson "Chembo" Corniel

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2003 by Nelson Rodriguez

Wilson "Clembo" Corniel was born in Manhattan, New York, but raised in South Brooklyn, where he learned percussion with some of the best: Tommy López Sr., Little Ray Romero, Louie Bauzo and Cachete Maldonado. He also studied at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts and in Cuba's Escuela Nacional de Arte (with Chucho Valdes).

I met Corniel when he was a member of Bobby Rodríguez y La Compañia in the 1980s, and later enjoyed his work with Reinaldo Jorge, José Bello, Sonora Ponceña, Louie Ramírez, Willie Colón, Ray Vega, Martín Arroyo, The Bronx Horns, Bobby Sanabria's Big Band, Chris Washburne, Tito Puente, Charlie Sepúlveda, Tito Nieves, Orchestra Broadway, José Alberto "El Canario," Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Chico Freeman, Angela Bofill, Blood, Sweat & Tears (Christmas album), Chucho Valdés. Hilton Ruiz, and many others. Lately, he has been touring with Larry Harlow's Latin Jazz Encounter and has formed his own band, Grupo Chaworo.

A Latin jazz sextet that has been playing throughout New York for the better part of this year, Grupo Chaworo has a debut recording due out soon. While the disc is set to be released in the near future, a label that can properly handle it is still being considered.

Chembo Corniel has also been part of TV programs, instructional videos, cable shows and he can also be found teaching at various percussion clinics throughout the United States.