Yahuba "El Pollo" Garcia

THEN: Puerto Rican percussionist and vocalist, Yahuba “El Pollo” Garcia-Torres plays with many of the top touring bands of New England, including Ryan Montbleau Band, The Motet, Spotted Tiger, Taproots, The Brother's McCann, Duke Levine's Super Sweet Sounds of the 70s, Jen Kearney & Chad Hollister Band, as well as his own bands, The Pollotronik All Stars and The Boogaloo Collective. Prior to COVID, he was one of the most sought after studio musicians in New England, and had a calendar filled to the brim.

Here is a pic from a 2020 New Years show with The Motet. These players and the enthusiastic audience behind them had no idea what was about to happen to the live music scene, and frankly, to the whole world

NOW: I will let Yahuba tell you in his own words how it’s been to be a musician since COVID. Watch this video (and enjoy the sweet sounds of Yahuba as a bonus!)

HOPE: Yahuba stepped up immediately after the shutdown started to help his fellow musicians, working with NEMRF and other groups to get aid to those who need it. The COVID shutdown is a true crisis for musicians all over the country, but if there is one thing that COVID has brought out, it is the generosity, resilience, and supportive spirit of our New England musician community. Yahuba has been incredibly generous with his time and music, and we are so glad that NEMRF was able to send a relief grant to him to help him get through this pandemic and back on stage.