Philip "Cachi" Velez

Check out Cachi on MySpace

Philip "Cachi" Velez, Cachi was born in New York City and has been playing percussions for most of his life. Cachi was taught the art of percussions by a great percussionist, his father, Phil "Pipo" Velez. Pipo played with Saoco and The TNT Band and is even credited with his own band in the 60's called Pipo y su Combo. The lead singer of his band was the legendary Ismael Miranda who is also Cachi’s Godfather.

Before realizing the significance of what he was taught, Cachi started in the music industry by singing back-up vocals, dancing and choreography for Lagosa Records. Realizing how much he loved music, Cachi decided to make it his life and obtain a Degree in Audio Engineering/Sound Recording from Mercy College/CMA. Since then, Cachi has produced two albums; DJ Dynamite and Rude Boyz NY, which was recorded at his studio, Mucha Madness Recording Studio Inc.in the Bronx.

Cachi has worked hard on becoming the percussionist that he is today. Playing Congas, Bongos and Timbales, Cachi has been fortunate enough to play venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Merkin Concert Hall Theatre, Palladium, Studio 54, Roxy's, CBGB's, The Copacabana, The Knitting Factory, and many other clubs and lounges throughout the Tri-State area. Cachi has also played and recorded with exciting bands and singers such as Willie Colon, Yomo Toro, Frankie Negron, Angel Lopez, Alfredo De La Fe, Joey Williams (Blind Boys of Alabama), Ayanna Del Valle, Cynthia Castro, Mental Notes, Den of Wolves, Richard Holly, Roberto Vazquez, Emergency Service, and occasionally sits in on some sets with Grupo Latin Vibe. Cachi is currently playing with Edwin Vazquez, Lily Vazquez, Dirty Boogaloo, and has even been signed to the record label, CueZone Records.