Christian Moraga is a Chilean-born percussionist, drummer, and composer whose international career spans a wide spectrum of musical styles and traditions.  Known for his dynamic performances, versatility, and artistic vision, Moraga unites Latin American rhythms with the improvisational language of jazz and popular music.

Born in Santiago, Chile, and now based in Los Angeles, Moraga began performing professionally at a young age before studying with renowned percussionists across Latin America and the United States. He trained in Afro-Cuban percussion with José Luis “Changuito” Quintana in Cuba and Johnny Almendra at the Harbor Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York; in Afro-Peruvian music with Leonardo Parodi in Peru; and in Brazilian rhythms with Ari and Dinho Nascimento in Brazil.  He later trained in Afro-Cuban multi-percussion with Roberto Vizcaíno, Sr.   These diverse experiences gave him both artistic range and cultural depth.

Since relocating to the United States, Moraga has performed with many notable artists, including Arturo Sandoval, Chaka Khan, Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin, Conrad Herwig, Poncho Sanchez, Nestor Torres, Oscar D’Leon, Orlando Valle, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and Frankie Valli.  For three years, he was the drummer on Estrella TV’s Noches con Platanito, performing weekly on national television and expanding his reach as a performer. He continues to perform regularly with pianist Oscar Hernández’s jazz ensemble, Alma Libre, and with legendary drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith’s Octet. Moraga is also a member of Smith’s quartet, SwingClave, which recently completed recording its forthcoming album.

In 2010, Moraga founded Conganas, a Latin quartet recognized for its dynamic energy and the chemistry and sound of a larger Latin orchestra. The group has released two albums and continues to perform actively, presenting music that blends classic and contemporary Latin influences.

Moraga’s most recent project, Moraga South American Jazz, fuses the spirit of jazz with South American rhythms such as festejo, landó, cueca, candombe etc.  Its debut album, Alas & Roots (released September 27, 2025), explores the dialogue between these musical worlds, creating a sound that is distinctly contemporary.  Highlighting Moraga’s original compositions—performed under his direction with leading musicians—the album has been praised for its rhythmic depth and artistic vision. As its title suggests, Alas and Roots integrates musical heritage and artistic freedom: roots reflecting ancestry, tradition, and cultural identity, and alas (wings) symbolizing aspiration, evolution, and creative spirit.  Alas and Roots features musical greats Bob Mintzer, John Beasley, Otmaro Ruiz, Leo Genovese, and Christian Gálvez among others.

During performances with Moraga South American Jazz, Moraga shares with audiences the history and cultural influences behind each composition, weaving context and storytelling into the music itself. Through these introductions, he invites listeners to discover the depth and richness of South America’s musical traditions.

Beyond the stage, Moraga is deeply committed to education and has led clinics and workshops in Japan, Brazil, Chile, and the United States, where he shares his knowledge of percussion, musical history, and culture with the next generation of artists.

Christian Moraga is endorsed by Latin Percussion and Remo Drumheads.