Juan Carlos Zeta
I was born in Concepción and grew up in Santiago de Chile. In my parents’ home and among my relatives, the rich musical diversity of Latin America was always appreciated and nurtured. At the age of 13, I moved to Switzerland with my parents and, as a teenager, taught myself to play the guitar. This instrument inspired me so deeply that I decided early on to pursue a professional career in music. Together with three schoolmates, we founded the band “Last Pride” and discovered our passion for alternative rock music. Despite my new home, my heart remained in Latin America: cultural trips to Chile, Cuba, and Brazil provided me with valuable inspiration for my songs and led me to rediscover the Spanish guitar. I write, produce, record, and mix songs, effortlessly navigating between rock and acoustic Latin music. Whether performing alongside seasoned musicians or solo, live concerts are my passion. In my artistic career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with prominent figures in the Swiss music scene, such as Hendrix Ackle, Max, Lässer, Robby Hacaturyan, Adi Weyermann and Reto Peter. I am currently studying Music Creation at the ZHDK in Zürich.
Actual group members
Roland Wäger – Percussion
Roland Wäger is a percussionist and drummer and in Switzerland, a well-known musician in various formations such as the Swiss Jazz Orchestra, El Dopa and Simon Libsig. Roland, who has been playing with me the longest, is responsible for countless ideas for the rich swing in my songs. His specialties are the rhythms of Cuba and Brazil, which he skillfully plays with a sophisticated percussion equipment consisting of conga, pandeiro, caja and cajon.
Jorge Torres – Bass, backing vocals
Jorge “Coki” Torres, born and raised in Havana, Cuba, is a phenomenal bassist and creative arranger. As he moves gracefully between Afro-Cuban music and funk, rock or reggae, he is an exceptional phenomenon in the Swiss music scene. Together with myself and Roland Wäger, we have formed the “Juan Carlos Zeta Acoustic Trio” for 15 years. Jorge also plays in several Latin bands as bassist and guitarist.
Former group members
David Stauffacher –
Percussion
David Stauffacher is technically also a member of my current lineup. He has been supporting me for many years when Roland is unable to play due to other musical commitments. When playing with David, I can clearly hear his heart beating with the pulse of the African continent. He is a great percussionist, drummer, composer, producer and a great-looking guy.
Matthias Spitz –
Drums
I met Matthias Spitz when I bought three cymbals from him. I was immediately interested in him and asked him if he wanted to make music with me. Matthias plays drums on my album “Simplemente“. He is an exceptional drummer, a perfectionist to the core. I really like his combination of Sonor drums and Meinl cymbals, he has carefully harmonized all the components: What a spectacular sound!
Roberto Hacaturyan –
Percussion
Robbie Hacaturyan asked me in 2003, when I was still living in Baden, if I wanted to play with him. As a result, my first Latin formation, the duo Juan Carlos Zeta, was formed. Robbie is well known in the Swiss music scene as a percussionist for Seven, Pegasus, Marc Sway, Adrian Strern and Hendrix Ackle. It was a great time with him, this man is gifted with a lot of swing and humor!