Clodomiro Montes | “Puerto Rico, Jr.”
Clodomiro Montes, professionally known as “Puerto Rico, Jr.”, is a Colombian-born percussionist from Cartagena, Colombia, shaped by a deep multigenerational musical legacy. Raised in a family of highly respected percussionists, he was introduced to music at an early age by his father and grandfather, launching his professional career at just 12 years old.
His early development took place within prominent Colombian ensembles such as El Nene y sus Traviesos and Joseíto Martínez, where he quickly established himself as a dynamic and versatile performer. In 1993, Montes joined Grupo Jazz Cartagena, representing Colombia at the inaugural Jazz Bajo La Luna Festival in Cartagena, sharing the stage with renowned artists including Justo Almario, Cristian del Real, and Boris Fadul.
In 2000, Montes expanded his international career by relocating to Asia, where he toured extensively for six consecutive years across Thailand, China, Malaysia, India, and Taiwan. This period played a crucial role in shaping his global musical perspective, allowing him to blend Afro-Caribbean traditions with diverse rhythmic cultures.
After settling in Los Angeles, California in 2006, Montes became a highly sought-after percussionist within the international Latin music scene. He has worked directly with acclaimed artists such as Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, José Alberto “El Canario,” Andy Montañez, Tony Vega, Eddie Santiago, Marisela, The Latin Brothers, Guayacán Orquesta, Fruko y sus Tesos, Maelo Ruiz, La India, Jerry Rivera, Justo Almario, and Bruno Mars.
In addition, his career includes notable collaborations with Stevie Wonder, A.B. Quintanilla’s KumbiaKings, Sonora Carruseles, Tito Rojas, Puerto Rican Power, Grupo Galé, Joe Arroyo, and Sonora Ponceña, highlighting his versatility across genres and formats.
Montes is currently the percussionist for Palenke Soul Tribe, an internationally touring project that has performed at major global festivals including Glastonbury Festival (UK), WOMEX (Budapest), and South by Southwest (SXSW). He also serves as Musical Director of his own salsa project, Colombian Latin Soul, blending traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms with a modern Latin sound.
In 2017, Montes headlined the Carnaval de Barranquilla – Concierto de Carnaval, sharing the stage with Carlos Vives and L’équipe Tambora, performing at one of Latin America’s most iconic cultural celebrations.
Continuing his studio work, in 2025 Montes contributed percussion to the recording “Bluetooth” by Mariachi Divas, featuring Becky G, further expanding his presence within contemporary Latin music.
In 2026, during a landmark week for Latin music on the global stage, Montes had the opportunity to perform alongside Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, appearing on one of the most-watched live broadcast events in the world and marking a defining milestone in his career.