Ramses Araya is a percussionist, producer, and bandleader originally from Costa Rica. He pursued his musical education in Havana, Cuba, studying at the Instituto Superior de Artes. Currently based in the Greater Orlando area, Araya has built a prolific career as a freelance percussionist and bandleader, contributing to three Grammy-winning projects and collaborating with an array of legendary figures in Latin music, including Rubén Blades, Juan Gabriel, Joan Sebastian, Tony Succar, Diego "El Cigala", Giovanni Hidalgo, and Paquito D'Rivera, as well as renowned ensembles like Los Van Van and Irakere.
In addition to his extensive work as a session musician and sideman, Araya records and performs as a solo artist and leads his own configurations, such as Araya's Latin Krew. His solo catalog is strongly rooted in the salsa genre, characterized by energetic arrangements and salsa adaptations of popular ballads and regional classics. He is particularly noted for his 2022 album, "Exitos de Joan Sebastian en Salsa", which reimagined the works of the Mexican singer-songwriter.
Active with consistent releases throughout the 2020s, Araya's discography includes several singles such as "Amorcito Mio (Special)", "Te Odio Y Te Quiero", and "Lagrimas De Oro". His more recent output includes the 2025 singles "Magia", "Pa'Curubandé Yo Voy", and "Hasta Que Amanezca (Salsa Cover Version)", followed by the 2026 release "A La Mas Bella De Las Flores", maintaining his presence in the contemporary salsa scene.
