College of Music

José is a principal lecturer at the University of North Texas in the Percussion and Jazz Studies departments, where he teaches drumset and Latin percussion. In addition to his private lesson studio work, José is the director of UNT’s Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Brazilian Ensemble, and Latin Jazz Lab Band.

José M. Aponte, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, earned degrees from the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico (BM), Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California (Artist Diploma), and University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program (MM). José has performed with such artists as Giovanni Hidalgo, Emil Richards, Carlos Guedes, Poncho Sanchez, Batacumbele, Gino Vanelli, Brian Bromberg, Lyle Mays, Andy Narell, David Rudder, Relator, Fred Hamilton, Dan Haerle, Tracy Thornton, Lian Teague, Airto Moreira, and Michael Spiro.

Aponte is an active member of the Dallas/Fort Worth musical scene as a freelance performer and studio musician with groups such as Fifo and Citizens of the World Colombian Jazz Group, Fifo and his Afro Bacanos Salsa Band, John Murphy Jazz Trio, singer/songwriter Tania Cordobes, David Lee Schloss’s Caravan, Kalimbe World Jazz Group, Island Boogie Caribbean Band, Justin Cash Jazz Fusion Trio, Tito Charneco’s Diaspora Jazz Group and his own projects (José Aponte and Caribe Club Latin Jazz Quintet, Batuque Brazilian Jazz Trio, and Brasuka Brazilian Jazz Group). José is an artist/clinician for Pearl drums/percussion, Evans drum heads, Pro-Mark sticks and Sabian cymbals.