David Urquidi is a saxophonist, composer, and arranger from Los Angeles, California whose work spans Latin jazz, jazz, pop, funk, and world music. Beginning his career in the vibrant East L.A. music scene, Urquidi began performing professionally as a teenager and went on to graduate from the USC School of Music.
Urquidi has performed and recorded with a diverse list of legendary artists, including WAR (2011-2017), Poncho Sanchez (2002-2005), Cheech and Chong (2013-2016), Yeska (1992-2000), Selena Gomez (Revival), Taylor Swift (Lover), Camila Cabello, Stewart Copeland, Tower of Power, George Clinton, Andy Grammer, Andy Garcia & Cineson All Stars, Joao Donato, Marcos Valle, Sheila E., Hugh Masekela, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Tevin Campbell, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montanez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivera, Carlos Rivera, Cano Estremera, Gaby Moreno, Oscar Hernandez, Pete Escovedo, Francisco Aguabella, Tony Allen, Dom Salvador, Carlos Dafe, Azymuth, Hyldon, Arthur Verocai, FEAR, Oingo Boingo Former Members, Ernie Andrews, Fred Wesley, Rico Rodriguez, Leonard Dillon, Jungle Fire, Steve Turre, Nestor Torres, Henry Franklin, Don Omar, and the San Diego Symphony.
Urquidi’s television work showcases his versatility across both live performance and studio recording. He has appeared on major broadcast stages, including The Arsenio Hall Show and The Queen Latifah Show as a member of WAR, and the Latin Grammy Awards with Don Omar. He has also served as baritone saxophonist for the house band on La Divina Noche and the Dante Night Show, both hosted by Dante Gebel.
In addition to live appearances, Urquidi’s recording credits span a wide range of television and streaming productions. His work has been featured on Netflix’s Grand Army and Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami, Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt (three seasons), Apple TV’s Sugar, Prime Video’s Cross, and ABC/Disney’s Queens, contributing everything from baritone and tenor saxophone to flute. These projects reflect Urquidi’s ability to seamlessly bridge live performance and studio environments across genres and formats.
Urquidi has composed original music for Netflix (Grand Army), Showtime (Latino Laugh Festival), Facebook, Walgreens (Puerto Rico), WAR, and Poncho Sanchez. He has arranged for artists such as Poncho Sanchez, Andy Grammer, and projects for Netflix and Facebook. His ability to fluidly shift between live performance, studio production, and scoring for screen highlights his versatility and range as a composer and arranger.
As a composer and solo artist, Urquidi is now forging a distinctive path with a bold new sound in Latin Jazz. Blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with folkloric Mexican traditions, he has developed a rhythmic sound he calls Afro-Mexica. Afro-Mexica is a fusion that draws on Pre-Columbian Mexican rhythms, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and contemporary Jazz harmony. This unique synthesis is not only a reflection of his musical journey, but also a deep homage to his cultural roots and personal heritage.
David Urquidi continues to push musical boundaries, offering a sound that is both rooted in tradition yet definitely modern.