An avid percussionist, Luis Manuel has been playing percussion over 13 years and Middle Eastern rhythms over 6 years.
Pursuing his Portuguese roots, Luis Manuel began performing with the acclaimed Portuguese traditional band "Companhia das Músicas," located in the heart of the Portuguese community in the Newark area, as a vocalist and a percussionist. As that project disbanded he became interested in world music, and became a member of the world music band “Mary Sarah and the Elements of Return” in which he played ambient percussion, sound effects and vocals.
The doumbek soon became his drum of choice and he become engrossed in its study and in the study of the rhythms of the Middle East.
He has studied percussion with Attila Engin, Raquy Danziger, Carmine Guida, Faisal Zedan and Amir Naoum Chehade.
He's listed with the Playwrights Theater in Madison and has performed in conjunction with grammar school poetry assemblies.
He's currently a member of Anka Kusu. He teaches doumbek, plays for belly dancing classes and has worked in the past with Manhattan Tribal, Tonche, Audie, Dena, Gia., and Trinity. He also DJs for belly dancing performances and facilitates drum circles.

Luis Manuel is proficient in the following percussion instruments:
~ doumbek ~ riq ~ djembe ~ talking drum ~ bohdran ~ castanets ~
~ berimbau ~ jaw harp ~ various frame drums ~ shakers ~
~ electronic effects ~ electronic percussions ~ sound effects ~