was born in Puerto Rico but raised in Brooklyn, New York. Since 1994 he has made Cincinnati his home.

                                                He is a musician, writer, and photographer.

​

Musical Background- in New York City he performed with:  Orchestra Unique, and Z & Company. In Cincinnati, Ohio: Latin X-posure,

                                       Fiesta del Soul, Co-Founder of Son del Caribe, Monk River Latin Jazz and Band Manager to Orquesta Kandela. 

​

Vélez appears in the following CD recordings: ~Fiesta del Soul, Live at the Havana Club, ~Skyline Chili's 50th Anniversary CD, ~Cincinnati                                            Jazz Collection Volumes II and III, ~Latin X-posure's Dónde Estas? Produced by Curve Records, ~Praise Awaits You                                             by  Paul Rogers, ~Miami University Jazz Ensemble- Hot Salsa, and ~Salsa on the Square CDs, Vol. I, II, IV, V, VI.

 

Published Books:  ~A Quest for Answers: A Personal Journey, ~Conga Blues, ~ Dónde Estas, Señor?, ~Divine Reflections, ~Wandering Soul,                                       ~New York City Salsa Scene in Photos, ~Salsa on the Square: A Summer of  Photos, ~Images Vol. I, and ~Forecast -                                                   Pronostico.

 

On-Stage Performances- Vélez, directed and performed in, Escandalo Poetico Series at Playhouse in the Park, Alteractive Series, and the                                                       Cincinnati Public Library.

 

In Children's Theatre- Vélez wrote and directed If I Were a Tree / Si Yo Fuera Un Arbol, a bilingual children's play performed at the Strauss                                               Theater at Northern Kentucky University.

​

Featured video appearances include: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center DVDs- What is Freedom? and Freedom Heroes. 

 

On the Radio: From March 2007 - June 2012, he hosted La Hora Latina, along with John Sullivan on WDBZ 1230am The Buzz, every Sunday, 5:00 to 7:00 pm, playing and talking about Classic Salsa and Latin Jazz, as well as interviews with international and local guests.

 

Vélez is currently working on his second novel, "Reencounter" a suspense-thriller. Coming soon..."Forecast" a short fiction.