Musicians

Yoxgiel Martinez (Cuba)

Piano & Vocals

Yoxgiel Martínez (Yox) is a Cuban painter, pianist and composer from Pinar del Río, Cuba. He began his artistic education as a painter and later worked as a teacher of art history and drawing. At 28, he started his musical journey with the community arts project Korimakao, eventually becoming the orchestra’s conductor. Through the project, he travelled to countries including France, Spain and the Netherlands, exploring different musical styles with jazz becoming an important influence.

His background as a painter has given him a unique perspective on music, leading him to compose soundtracks for audiovisual projects, including Lorca in Havana, featured at the 28th Málaga Film Festival. In 2019, he founded Ke Bola, combining international rhythms with Cuban music. Now living in the Netherlands, Yox continues exploring new sounds. With Grupo Tumbando, his Cuban roots and passion for Latin jazz come together.

Roberto Cuello (Dominican Rep.)

Keys, Percussion & Vocals

At the age of 12, Roberto Cuello began studying at the music school in San Cristóbal. At 16, he was discovered by renowned artist July Mateo “Rasputín”, who helped shape and refine his distinctive piano style. After a successful tour through the United States and Europe, Cuello settled in the Netherlands in 1989. There, he founded Huracán and later his virtuoso sextet Grupo Melao, producing three albums that gained national and international recognition.

In 1996, he enrolled at the Arnhem Conservatory, graduating cum laude in 2000. In 2003, he joined the international Latin-jazz quintet Latineo, winning the Rein Heij Jazz Award for New Talent. In 2008, Cuello returned to his native country, where he worked as pianist and musical director for Alex Bueno’s orchestra. He now lives in the Netherlands. In Grupo Tumbando Roberto feels like a free fish in the water and playes beautifull solo”s using his Roland AX Edge.

Wouter Helmig (The Netherlands)

Percussion & Vocals

Wouter was mesmerized when he first heard A Todo Cuba le Gusta by the Afro-Cuban All Stars, featuring Miguel “Angá” Díaz on congas. Inspired by this album, he decided he wanted to study percussion in Cuba. Wouter applied for a scholarship which he received to study percussion in Cuba, where he studied with renowned percussionists such as Tomás Ramos “El Panga” and Yaroldy Abreu. In total, Wouter spent a year living and studying in Cuba.

He founded the group A Lo Cubano in 2005, performing at all kind of festivals such as Music Meeting, Días Latinos and North Sea Jazz Round Town. His Latin journey began in 2002, and he remained active as a conguero until 2014. He later focused more on De Vuilnismannen, a very succesfull interactive trash-drumming act he founded with Pim van Ham with about 130 bookings a year visiting theaters, schools & festivals. In 2026, Wouter returned to his Cuban passion and founded Grupo Tumbando.

Eduardo Rocha (Peru)

Lead vocal & Percussion

Frontman and lead singer Eduardo Rocha (Peru) is a charismatic entertainer whose infectious energy guarantees a lively, dance-driven performance. Eduardo has performed his whole life as a musician in Peru and Europe visiting countries as Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Luxembourg to perform at all kinds of events and festivals to entertain the audience with his love for latin music.

Eduardo also used to have his own salsa formation Cantamigo but nowadays he is fully committed as the lead singer of Grupo Tumbando. One of Eduardo’s main charistics is his contact with the audience. He will always invite somebody who is willing to dance with him on stage. So put on your dance shoes and enter the stage together with Grupo Tumbando!

Martin de Graaf (The Netherlands)

Double bass

Martin started at the age of eight on violin. During high school Martin explored several instruments such as the classical guitar with his teacher Rinus Raaijmakers. Rinus himself made the switch from guitar to bass and inspired Martin to play bassguitar as well. Martin became inspired and his enthusiasm for contrabas, babybass and bassguitar has remained until today!

Martin studied Jazz and Latin Music at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts). Martin played with several artists such as Daniel Fanego Ensemble, Jazzy Jane, Cantamigo, Latin Cruise, Wieteke van Dort, Boomboe Boys Krontjong, Herbie Guldenaar Kwartet, L.A. Lounge Company and of course Grupo Tumbando.

What promotors say