Mario Sandoval developed as a musician in two different worlds, Guatemala and the United States. What began as a love for rock and roll as a teenager has now developed into a fascination with Jazz, the classics and beyond. Through his relentless pursuit to learn different styles of music he has made it a mission to play with the best musicians the northwest has to offer.

Born into a musical family, Mario is the grandson of Enrique Sandoval, drummer for the Marimba Quiche Vinac, (the marimba orchestra chosen to play at the Golden Gate Bridge Opening “Fiesta”  in San Francisco in 1937), as well as related to other composers, arrangers and performers in his family, like Gregorio Rodriguez, founding member of the marimbas Quiche Vinac and Maderas de mi Tierra. Upon graduating from high school in Guatemala Mario moved to the United States to pursue his love of music through his studies in the recording arts. However the other side of the glass called and he is currently a jazz studies performance major at Portland State University in Portland OR. There he has had the opportunity of studying with esteemed faculty Darrell Grant and Charles Gray, as well as studying under Kenneth Ollis on drum set.

Not being a stranger to the stage, before enrolling to become a music major at PSU, he had been working with many acts in town including Cubaneo, Melao De Cuba, Afincando, Aguamiel,  Medler Septet, Michelle Medler Trio, and Relative Standards. He is also currently leading his own Mario Sandoval Trio.

Having studied recording and production at Los Medanos Community College and Portland Community College, Mario has been able to work on his skills as a producer and engineer. With the ultimate goal of becoming a media composer new goals are on the horizon and the knowledge that he is gaining now will prove useful in his career moving forward.

Mario Sandoval plays Drum Set, Congas, Timbales, Bongos,and Auxiliary Percussion. He is available for studio work as well as live engagements as a side man or a leader. A true jack of all trades, he knows that in today’s market all musicians must be able to wear as many hats as it takes to get the job done.