Meet Nabedi Osorio | Musician / Mentor / Music teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nabedi Osorio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nabedi, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think that it’s important to take risks in your life. You never know what the outcome can be, but that makes it even more exciting. To me, taking a risk means challenging oneself and I enjoy a good challenge. The biggest risk I took was back in 2010, when I gave up my waiter apron to start my career as a full-time musician. I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like now, had I not made that choice. Risks can be scary, but you can learn a lot about yourself and what you are able to gain as well as accomplish. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to, at least you put yourself out there and tried. There’s a lot of value in that alone.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the age of 16 my father passed away so I turned to music to get me through those hard moments. Music was my therapy. I didn’t have a drum set or had even sat and played on one, but had an idea of what all the parts sounded like. Listening to music on my headphones and playing air drums for hours is what kept me going, I was inspired and driven to want to learn more and perfect this craft. After a few months, my mom was able to put some money together to buy me my first drum set. I popped in No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom” on compact disc (yes, I said compact disc lol ), pressed play, sat behind the drums and once the sticks made contact with those skins, this is where my life officially begins.

I have been very fortunate to have been able to make a career out of playing music. Not only playing locally in Miami, but all around the U.S. and a couple cities in Germany. Over the past 2 decades I’ve been in many bands, have had the honor to share the stage with so many talented people, have opened up for big names, recorded on albums for artists as well as a few of my own groups, and have many miles under my belt from touring all over the U.S.

There’s something truly magical about being able to connect with others through music. Music is universal. Even if you don’t understand the language in which the song was written, you can still feel the emotion by the way the piece is sung, also through the instrumentation, but especially by the arrangement.
Because music saved me through many obstacles in life, 15 years ago I decided to share this tool with others by becoming a music teacher, a mentor. These tools have been shared to empower the youth through music with non-profit organizations like Miami Girls Rock Camp, Miami Music Program, Young Musicians Unite and also doing work in underserved communities with Guitars Over Guns. I also teach private lessons to kids from ages 4-60 (there’s an inner child in all of us) and the instruments taught vary between drums, piano, guitar, bass and ukulele. To me, this is where the true success lies. Once upon a time in my earlier days, I wanted to be a “Rock Star”. I would imagine myself signing autographs, running down the streets being chased by mobs of fans, and seeing my face on billboards. That dream quickly shifted the first time realized I made a difference in another person’s life. In sharing the gift of music and helping them gain confidence in themselves by learning an instrument and to believe in themselves was when I knew that this was it for me. This was what I was meant to do. Everything I do, I pour all my heart into it and stamp it with a seal of Love. We already have enough negative things happening all around us in this world, on the daily. But if I can change one person’s life and inspire them in a positive way, then I’m doing my part. It hasn’t been easy to get to where I am today, but I wouldn’t change a thing about what it took for me to get here.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For a first timer, upon arrival I believe some Cuban treats is a good starting point. La ventanita (the little window) at La Carreta on 8th street will be the first stop. “Un Pastelito de guayaba, un pastelito de queso, un pastelito de carne, 2 croquetas de jamon, una papa rellena, y una tostada. Cortadito oscuro, y tambien una colada, Por Favor” is exactly what I would say to the person taking my order, most probably in form of song. So look out for my next single called “La Ventanita” you heard it here first. Next, we’ll make our way east down Calle Ocho to Little Havana where we can walk around a bit to check out the old neighborhood folks playing Dominos in the park and the local artists in their shops. Then over to Ball and Chain for some live music and perhaps a tasty beverage. By now, stomachs start growling and before the hanger settles we’ll head to El Cristo Restaurant for some lunch followed by some ice cream at Azucar. Still heading east, we’ll do a quick drive-by of Brickell and downtown, stopping at Museum park to walk by the bay where we can check out the PAMM and Frost Museum. Now heading north on Biscayne Blvd, we’ll make our way towards Wynwood for a tour of all the graffiti murals, a quick stop at a few shops and J Wakefield for a local craft beer. A little more north we can do a quick drive through the Design District as well as Little Haiti before making a stop for early dinner at Lemoni Cafe. Afterwards, we will stop at Sweat Records for some vinyl and a little history lesson on Churchills Pub which is unfortunately closed but let me tell you, there are an endless amount of stories to tell. We’ll save those for another time. now, back to the car to head towards the 79st causeway where we will head east to also show some love to Technique Records and grab some more vinyl. We’ll keep heading east towards the beach then take a right on Indian Creek and drive towards South Beach just in time for those neon lights to light up Ocean Drive Blvd. Just a quick drive down the Blvd cause that’s about as much of South Beach really need in your life. We can go down to 1st street, South Point, where we can catch the moonrise over the water and call it a night…and that’s only day 1.

In the next few days we’ll be heading to the Everglades for some airboat tours and a bike ride in Shark Valley. Paddle boarding in Key Biscayne, driving down to the keys, going to homestead to pick some local produce and stopping at Schnebly Redlands Winery for some snacks and libations. For the record, I’m having water since I’m driving.

With all that produce we picked earlier, a home cooked meal will be had at some point during this visit. So many more fun activities are on this list, but I just wanted to name a few. Honestly, Miami has so many places to visit and it’s constantly growing, that even as a native, I feel like I’m visiting a new city sometimes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my mom for always believing in me, providing me with the necessary tools in life and always guiding me in the right direction. It’s because of her that I discovered what I was meant to do at an early age. She bought me my first drum set when I was 16 and I was able to make a career out of it. I would also like to shoutout my friends and family that have always supported me throughout the years, going to the performances and always showing love no matter what.

A shoutout to all musicians and creatives out there that have influenced me as we’ve shared a stage, recorded in a studio, made music together or even when watching them do their thing.

Website: Nabedi.com (is under construction)

Instagram: @nabedi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nabedi

Image Credits
Pic with bass guitar and red flannel: Romina Rey Pic with me in 3 frames: Fernando Perdomo Pic with me in leopard print and tambourine; Jesse Samuel Pic in B&W: Ileana Frey