Federico was born February 5th, 1966 in Montevideo, Uruguay. At about age 2 he started showing signs of having a connection to music and began playing various percussion instruments shortly thereafter. After moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Federico took up the drums at age 4. Even though percussion came naturally for him, he soon discovered the piano at his grandmother's house--herself a very accomplished pianist and organist. It wasn't long before he took piano lessons and began writing his first compositions; and after approximately 3 years of lessons and still showing a real interest, Federico switched teachers and was accepted by world renowned Argentine concert pianist Antonio de Raco (early teacher to Martha Argerich and a contemporary of Claudio Arrau). Having studied intensely under de Raco's tutelage until the age of 17, Federico traveled to the US where he has resided in Washington D.C. permanently since 1984. Federico's professional career began at age 15 while still in Argentina where he would take up session work while hanging out at a well know downtown recording studio. In doing so, he was exposed to various styles and levels of producers which gave him invaluable experience. As a result he was under the watchful eye of some of Argentina's top session players and producers for the next two and a half years. People like Gustavo Donez (Sweater), El Soca, Daniel Colombres, El Mono Fontana & Juan del Barrio are some of the great musicians that Federico had a chance to spend time with before leaving Buenos Aires for North America. Once in the US and after attending the Berklee College of Music for 1 year the young keyboardist returned to Washington and began playing with some of the area's top Go-Go bands (a music style indigenous to the Washington D.C. area). It was during this 3 year stint that he met Me'shell N'DegeOcello and the two began a long association (20 years) that saw many highlights along the way including various albums, Grammy nominations and world tours. Federico has also worked with Maxwell, Angela Boffill, Rare Essence, Pieces of a Dream, Digable Planets, Alana Davis, George Howard, Roy Hargrove, Chaka Khan, Cassandra Wilson, Marcus Miller, SMV (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller & Victor Wooten) and many others. Currently he occupies the keyboard chair in SMV, tours some with Marcus Miller, and devotes his musical time to writing, some producing and trying to push forward a trio by the name of GAIA that he co-founded along with close friends Gregoire Maret & Gene Lake. Federico resides in Mt.Rainier, MD (just outside Wash.DC) with his wife Tonja and his 2 boys Javier and Nicolás.
Federico González Peña hola! cómo te va? usted sabe honestamente me gustó todo el concierto de Montreux Jazz en el 09, con Marcus, Stanley y Victor! bravo! el sonido que usted y su manera de jugar con ellos y los solos que ha desempeñado son excelentes! yesss Le deseo mucha diversión para jugar con los bajistas que admiro mucho desde hace años! Soy super fan de Marcus Miller! Enviar a un equipo como el baterista en mis mejores saludos a todos mi admiración por su música! Nicolas
Federico Gonzalez Peña hello! how you doing? you know honestly I really enjoyed the whole concert at Montreux Jazz 09 with Marcus, Stanley and Victor! bravo! the sound that you and your way of playing with them and the solos that you've played are excellent! yesss I wish you much fun to play with these bass players that I admire so much for years! I am super fan of Marcus Miller! I send you to the team as a drummer in my best greetings with all my admiration for your music! Bye !! Nicolas<img src="http://c1.ac-images.myspa
Bonjour Federico! You was great this night in OLYMPIA at Paris. I was backstage but i don't see you to say HI! have a wonderful european tour! See you soon.
No ves que sos un grande Fede...!!.Me dije, por ahí no se acuerda ese mostro, con tanta gente que debes estar conociendo...Pero, bueno Master, una alegría saber que estás ok y te vamos a estar esperando con todo por acá Fede querido....By the way, ya saqué el cd, en el que tocaste, y lo iluminaste con tu talento....te lo doy cuando nos veamos.Ah...si te hace falta un buen bajista , me lamás, ja ,jaaaaaa!!!.Besos a la flia.
www.detodounpoco809.com Este sabado el programa De todo un poco 809 reune a varias personalidades para tratar el tema de la joven madre dominicana que fue asesinada y descuartizada en Queens( Reyna Isabel De Los Santos), es un programa que no debes perderte... www.canalamerica.tv.
Bonjour Federico! On the SMV road again? Hope see you soon in France: Paris, Juan les pins or Marciac, in august...maybe. My best musical memory of these last months is YOU with your friend Raul Midon in Monaco Opera. A bientot. M.B