Severo was founded in 1978 at Jose Severo Quiñones Elementary School in Carolina, Puerto Rico by music professor Sonia Pizarro Vizcarrondo (Carolina Music Hall of Fame). During the past 20 years Severo has presented their percussion based (pandero, congas, and güícharo) traditional and/or contemporary musical concept in many stages. From festivals, carnivals, patron saints festivities, corporate events and private parties in Puerto Rico and international venues, to outstanding presentations like the International Jazz Festival in Carolina, BomPlenazo at Hostos Community College in New York, Old Town Folk Music in Chicago, Island Festival in California, Teletón in Chile, and many others in San Francisco, Indiana and Saint Louis. They have collaborated in concerts with many artists like Juan Luis Guerra 440, Los Van Van, Nidia Caro, Luis Perico Ortiz , Yolandita Monge, Elvis Crespo, Luis Enrique and Tito “El Bambino" among others. Charlie Pizarro With studies at the Escuela Libre de Música, Charlie is hands down one of the most versatile and knowledgeable percussionist of the Afro-Puerto Rican traditions. His superb command of Plena, as well as his perfected technique, sound, and lighting hand velocity, places him as one of the best of his generation. Charlie has recorded and collaborated with many artists and musical groups, such as José Nogueras, Plena Libre, La Familia Cepeda and Jerry González among many others in Tropical Music and Jazz representing Puerto Rico in Europe, USA, Canada and South America. Venues performed by Charlie: Amsterdam Roots Festival, Amsterdam/Festival de Roskilde, Dinamarca/Carnaval Islas Canarias, Las Islas Canarias/Festival Latinoamericando, Milano/Nuits Du Sud, Vence, Francia/El Festival Tempo Latino, Vic Fezensac, Francia/Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal, Canada/Sun Fest, Ontario, Canada/Winnipeg, Canada/Chicago World Music Festival, IL/Halifax Jazz Festival, Nova Scotia/Ritmo y Color Festival, Toronto, Canada/Lincoln Center Out Of Doors, New York, NY/Musikfest-Plaza Tropical, Bethlehem, PA/Schenectady, Albany, NY/Yoshi’s Jazz Club, San Francisco, CA. http://www.myspace.com/plenadesevero http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=614086380 (Grupo Severo)