Marco Claveria was born in Santiago Chile. He started guitar lessons at the age of ten, learning to play the basics of Chilean folk music then moving on to study different styles such as Cuecas, Tonadas, and the Resbaloza as well as the Argentinian Samba. When his family immigrated to Canada in 1982, and after a period of transition to his new home, he re-immersed himself in music and began taking part in different musical ensembles in the city of Edmonton.
In Marco’s first solo release “Essencias” he had the privilege of working with Alex Cuba, Adonis Puentes, Andre LLanes “Carmelo”(Charanga Habanera), Andres “El Negron” Miranda Valdez & Orlando Valle “Maraca” (members of “Irakere”, one of the most influential Afro-Cuban Jazz bands of all time), Israel “Toto” Berriel (of the famous Rumba band “Munequitos De Matanzas”),Lazaro Reinier Pla and Sergio Riveiro, to name a few.
In his 2016 release “Origins” He worked with Jose Sanchez, Israel Berriel, Daymar Calvario (Pupy y Los Que Son Son), Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Pupy Y Los Que Son Son),Jeremiah McDade, Mario Allende, Chris Andrew, Keith Rempel.
Marco has been an integral part of various musical projects that have toured all across Canada,South America and Europe. He has performed in various events in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London Ontario, Toronto, Halifax, Fredericton, Whitehorse, Austin,( SXWS) and has had the privilege of playing the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival as well as the world renowned Edmonton Folk Music Festival, he has also had the chance to appear at the Discovery Coast Music fest in Bella Coola, and was featured in a live performance on the CANADA AM show on CTV and Much Music.
As a founding member and main writer-composer of the popular local group Bomba! Marco had the privilege of opening for such luminary acts as Cubanismo, Angelique kidjo, Mayra Valdes, Al Green and Aaron Naville.
In 1994 after attending AFROCUBANISMO! In Banff, Alberta, Marco was inspired to travel to Cuba to rediscover his passion for the music he grew up listening to growing up in Chile. Later he moved to Cuba, where he studied with Cuba’s’ musical masters including Carlitos Gonzales (Afrocuban All-Stars) Angel Rivero, Alejandro Maximo.
On his album “Algo en Comun” (20 Marco challenges himself and tries something different. And fuses Latin and Celtic elements.He collaborates with Canada’s prestigious ensemble The McDades. Jeremiah McDade and Shannon Johnson.With their knowledge and understanding on Celtic music they create a fresh approach to latin and Celtic music.
On his recently released album “Nueva Creacion” Marco further explores with the Celtic/Latin fusion. Aside from having his long time band members Keit Rempel, Nathan Ouellette he once again collaborates with some of the members of the McDades and members of the popular Cuban Ensemble “Wil Campa y su Gran Union”.