BIOGRAPHY

     JOSUÉ has dedicated much of his life to the pursuit of living art; it is written in his DNA. His father – Alfonso Panamá (1934-2021), was a legendary bassist and pioneer of Afro-Cuban music of the famous Palladium Ballroom in New York City; and of Latin-Jazz, he was one of the principle bassists of the Cab Calloway Orchestra and collaborated often with Dizzie Gillespie; anyone familiar with Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club or New York’s Birdland and Roseland ballrooms will know the generation of musicians to which Alfonso belonged.

Born and raised in the metropolitan area of New York City, Josue’s childhood was saturated with world-famous showmen, actors, symphony conductors, musicians and professional dancers – artists.

     At the age of five, he began formal classical piano training. By 14, he was composing and performing his own piano sonatas. With hands-on work in music production and engineering in adolescence and then later in his early adult years in art performance and professional dance techniques, it was the famous, influential friends of his father which became a tremendous help that launched his career in music, dance, theater, and film production. With a Master’s degree in Psychology of Music, he is currently pursuing a PhD in the same.

     Over the following years, he produced award-winning documentaries and soundtracks, and has taught, recorded, and performed on five continents and in more than 77 cities – tapping into the professional actors, dancers, and musicians in his circles.

     In 2011, he relocated to Eastern-Europe to be immersed in the center of classically-trained, working artists of all kinds, cultures, and languages from prestigious theaters, universities, and academies – including the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Bucharest National Opera House, Müpa Palace of the Arts in Budapest, and the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Ukraine, among many others. With over 17 years of teaching and management experience, he continues to give back to the communities – hiring other actors, dancers, and musicians for his original films and film scores, and leading classes, workshops, and motivational speeches all over the world.

     JOSUÉ has composed, arranged, and recorded professionally with world-class musicians including the famous Bachata songwriter and bandleader Joan Soriano on popular Bachatas Dime, Dime and Baila Conmigo and Supermodelo. His most recent Bachata, titled Bella, features 58 dancers from 23 countries. Among his most adored Afro-Cuban recordings include the award-winning compositions Vale Más and Verás and Adorada Mía which were recorded with Fania All-star musicians Charlie Rodriguez and Luis Mangual, and of course his own father Alfonso – the bassist of the Tito Puente Orchestra and Machito Afro-Cuban Orchestra.