Michel Camilo was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Fascinated by the music since his childhood, he composed his first song at the age of 5 and studied for 13 years in the National Conservatoire; at the age of 16 he turned into member of the Symphonic National Dominican Orchestra. With the idea of extending his musical horizon, he moved to New York in 1979, where  he continued with his studies in Mannes and Juilliard School of Music.

A pianist with brilliant skills and composer who gives  his themes Caribbean paces and harmony of jazz; his composition “Why not!”   turned into a success recorded by Paquito D'Rivera in one of his albums, who was a winner of a Grammy (1983) in the vocal version of the Manhattan Transfer. His first two albums were: “WHY NOT!” And “SUNTAN/MICHEL CAMILO IN TRIO".