Rising Stars: Meet Zion Sosa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zion Sosa.

Hi Zion, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Zion Sosa. I am a percussionist based in Cincinnati, OH. I run a 7-piece latin jazz band called El Ritmo Del Mañana(ERDM). I am originally from Temecula, CA, but moved to Cincinnati 9 years ago. I started ERDM in 2019 after I fell in love with Latin Jazz while I was studying jazz performance at Northern Kentucky University. It made sense to me as I am part Puerto Rican. I grew up in a Spanglish household along with always being exposed to the music, dancing, and food in the culture. So when I got the opportunity to explore the music more in depth and learn more about it I instantly wanted to be doing it all of the time. The band has been a very important outlet for me and my biggest creative project. A big thing that makes this band what it is is the musicians. The band features a myriad of energetic, dedicated, and skilled musicians that each bring a unique voice to the band’s playing and writing. The members in the band include Eric Lechliter on Trumpet, Spencer Merk on Trombone, Christian Paradiso on Saxophone, Ryan Jones on Piano, Justin Dawson on Bass, Derek Johnson on Drum set, & Zion Sosa on Congas. All of these people are also dear friends to me so it’s such a blast getting to do what you love with people you love. Some of our recent highlights include a performance featuring world-renowned drummer Jeff Hamilton, another with drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr., the release of our debut album Escalón, and our most recent project a Christmas album of original arrangements by members of the band.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think the road is ever meant to be smooth, but you just make the best of what is thrown at you. When I was starting this band, I was in college full-time, working two part-time jobs just to get by. It was a lot of work to get the band going, but I was very passionate about the style of music and wanted to begin my career in the jazz scene here in Cincinnati. When we got started, we went through a lot of changes such as the musicians, musicality, and image of the group, but once we got to a point of stability with all of those factors, it was time to focus on what was next. Then the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. That was a rough time for everyone, but I tried to take that time to plan out the future for El Ritmo. We eventually recorded our first album Escalón and that was a start to growing the band into what I wanted. We played a lot of gigs to not only hopefully establish the name, but to build the chemistry between all of us as musicians. Eventually, we got to a point where we were so familiar with each other’s playing it was always locked in. So yes, we had some struggles, but in the end, I tried to make the best out of it and used them to fuel the growth of the band.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a bandleader/percussionist. I specialize in hand drums and Latin jazz. My band El Ritmo Del Mañana focuses on Latin jazz and creating music of their own using the influences from the music that already exists.

I am extremely proud of where we have arrived as a group today. We have built a sound that I believe is unique. It encapsulates everyone’s individual skill and musicianship, what they love about the music, etc. So, I am just proud that we have been able to come to this point where we have recorded our music for the world to hear, but also just creating the music for ourselves as well and making it what we want it to be.

How do you define success?
This is a question I ask myself daily. I believe success is defined by everyone individually. What do you want out of life? What would ultimately make you happy? Success to me is what I want it to be. I love music and I know for me fulfilling the musical goals I have will make me feel successful.

Pricing:

• $20 for albums $10 for students

Contact Info:

• Website: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Felritmodelmanana.wixsite.com%2Fmysite&e=ATPf8MK9-Yww9ZjakWZJuevR1rSzAzWpR3tJwVn_MLcAn52jYus8xWtX10hsC12fkCEZYoO-yLwEKV0Q&s=1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_ritmo_del_manana/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100048890244349/

Image Credits
Vanessa Keeton
Jenna Webster
Hannah Jones