Oscar Barcelli is a Los Angeles-based Afro-Peruvian jazz artist, drummer, composer, and bandleader whose work reimagines Afro-Peruvian musical traditions through a contemporary jazz and fusion lens. Rooted in cultural heritage and driven by rhythm as a compositional language, Barcelli’s music places groove, identity, and collective expression at its core-bridging ancestral traditions with modern improvisation and global influences.
Barcelli’s artistic foundation was shaped through formal studies at Souza Lima in São Paulo and Berklee College of Music in Boston. During his time at Berklee, he was awarded the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Scholarship for three consecutive years, later being named an ambassador of the Foundation-recognition that reflects both his artistic excellence and commitment to cultural preservation and innovation.
As a bandleader and composer, Barcelli leads an evolving ensemble that integrates traditional Afro-Peruvian instruments such as cajón, cajita, and quijada with modern harmony, improvisation, and groove-driven forms. He released his debut album King’s Lockdown in 2021, followed by the singles “Kilka” and “Novos Caminhos” in 2023, further defining his distinctive artistic voice.
Barcelli has performed on prominent stages including The Latin GRAMMYs, NAMM Show, Lima Jazz Fest, Disney California Adventure, and the Berklee Performance Center. His artistic journey has also included performances and collaborations with renowned artists such as Alain Pérez, Issac Delgado, Sofia Carson, Eva Ayllón, Aníbal Seminario, and others. Through his work as an artist and bandleader, Oscar Barcelli continues to expand the global presence of Afro-Peruvian jazz-honoring its roots while pushing its language forward.