Germán Villarreal is a Colombian percussionist, music producer, and bandleader originally from the barrio Obrero in Pasto, Colombia. Throughout his career, Villarreal has contributed to hundreds of musical productions as a percussionist and has toured in more than 20 countries. His collaborative work spans recordings with notable Latin music artists and orchestras, including Yuri Buenaventura, Mariano Cívico (under the direction of José Aguirre), Alquimia, Francisco Zumaque, Iván y sus Bam Bam, and the group Lo Nuestro.
As a bandleader, Villarreal directs a large-format ensemble, performing as German Villarreal y su Mambo Big Band. His music incorporates genres such as salsa, mambo, latin jazz, timba, and son cubano. His catalog includes the album Con Permiso De Mis Mayores, which featured arrangements and transcriptions by Edilberto Liévano, followed by the 2022 album release Permiso Concedido.
In 2025, Villarreal released the single Jaquetón Pachanguero, a collaboration with his 18-piece Mambo Big Band. The track, which features lyrics by Mon Rivera, continues his focus on big band salsa and classic mambo arrangements.
