About
Juan Pastor
Drummer, Composer, Educator
Juan Pastor is a Peruvian-born drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator based in Chicago. He is the founder and leader of Juan Pastor’s Chinchano, an ensemble that seamlessly blends Afro-Peruvian rhythms with contemporary jazz.
Raised in Lima, Peru, Pastor began his musical journey immersed in traditional Peruvian folk percussion. Under the mentorship of Eusebio Sirio “Pititi”, a master of Afro-Peruvian percussion.
Pastor's formal education includes classical studies at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Lima, followed by a Bachelor of Music from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Music from DePaul University, where he studied under Dana Hall and served as a teaching assistant in the jazz department under Bob Lark.
In 2013, Pastor founded Chinchano, a group that fuses traditional Peruvian music with modern jazz. The ensemble has released several acclaimed albums: Chinchano, Un Cambio, El Regreso, Cachito, and the upcoming Memorias (2025). Memorias was partially funded by a grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Throughout his career, Pastor has collaborated with renowned artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Fareed Haque, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, Miguel Zenón, Howard Levy, and Victor Garcia. He has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Made in Chicago Jazz Festival in Poland, Lima Jazz Festival, and the Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago.
In addition to his performance career, Pastor serves as the Coordinator of the Jazz Program at North Central College, mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians and fostering cross-cultural musical collaborations. He has been showcased and supported multiple times by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and has conducted workshops on Peruvian music at colleges including the University of Portland, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and Knox College.
Juan Pastor is also an endorsed artist for Canopus Drums, playing the Canopus NV60-M1, which he uses in both live performances and recordings.
Pastor's music is a celebration of tradition, innovation, and storytelling, inviting listeners into a vibrant world where the rhythms of Peru meet the heart of Chicago jazz.