TORIBIO

A triple threat who lights up a room when behind the decks, in the studio, and on stage, TORIBIO is a lifelong student of rhythm. Analyzing melodies and chords with a musician's ear, the Dominican-American artist blends different genres and moods in all his creative pursuits–DJing, producing, singing, playing instruments, and even his skills on the mic.

Thanks to a childhood spent playing in church and jazz drumming, the Florida-born, New York-based act has a natural sense of harmony. He takes on the role of musical cartographer in live house fusion band, Conclave, whose debut album was named one of Resident Advisor's best in 2021 and praised by both Rolling Stone and the New Yorker. Acting as the ensemble's bandlander, vocalist, and key instrumentalist, TORIBIO connects jazz, soul, and house from various cultures with style and grace.

His speciality in sonic connections are especially tangible in his DJing. Gliding from pan-Latin club to raw electro to jazz to old-school funk, his sets are a masterclass in building energy and tension. Whether playing Boiler Room or clubs in Mexico City and Tokyo, he knows how to work a crowd with selections and transitions that are as precise as they are powerful. As a producer, his edits and originals are DJ weapons, rinsed by the likes of Gilles Peterson, Rich Medina, and Theo Parrish. His original tracks have been remixed by the likes of Louie Vega, Joe Claussell, and DJ Spinna.

Known for fostering community through movement, his Brooklyn block parties (Public Service NYC) embody the spirit of New York's dance culture while his newly formed imprint B.D.A. is quickly becoming known for bringing these vibes to vinyl. A TORIBIO show is a full-body experience—as he always says, "bring dat ass, and your feet will follow."


All of Toribio's musical voyaging has synthesized into what can only be described as dance music, musica bailable, though we ain't talking about matching beats, mp3 rips and building to the drop. The music of Toribio holds rhythm as its sacred tenement - it must be the influence of the clave, the beating heart of Latin and much African music. Papi makes music to dance to, but made with heart and soul, and a ceaseless want to find those hidden rhythms that run deep in us all, from dat ass to those feet.

No wonder he's rubbing shoulders with Joe Claussell (Body & Soul, Sacred Rhythm) and Byron The Aquarius (Rush Hour, Warp, HHV). Both co-signed on Toribio's first two EPs, released via Most Excellent Unlimited and The Jazz Diaries respectively. With another 12" landing on Soul Clap's Gator Boots imprint, featuring edits of Q-Tip and Juan Luis Guerra tunes, primed for the BDA masses, it's clear that Toribio is as incisive in the studio as on the dance floor. A forthcoming debut release from his live project Conclave (fresh from NYC's La Luna Festival in 2019) on Most Excellent Unlimited and other soon-to-be-announced solo releases, are all set to add further proof.

Toribio is a resident at Brooklyn's Black Flamingo, where BDA continues to flourish. He regularly DJs around New York, including Good Room, The Lot Radio, Elsewhere, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Output, Le Bain and, further afield, in Mexico City's M.N. Roy and Berlin's Farbfenseher. The party rolls on.

If you bring it, then so will Toribio.