Riel commends Cuenca’s “mix of power and restraint….providing energetic yet unobtrusive color from start to finish.” – RIEL LAZARUS

“Sylvia Cuenca is an extraordinary talented percussionist. I think of her as an alert, supportive, versatile and swinging drummer. She sat in with my band 10 years ago and I never wanted her to leave.” –CLARK TERRY

“Sylvia has a driving beat, a real team player.” -Stuart Kremsky, CADENCE MAGAZINE

“Cuenca is a dynamo….driving the ensemble throughout. She’s getting a master’s degree in jazz and Clark Terry’s got a prize student.”
Kirk Silsbee, JAZZIZ

“Sylvia Cuenca, a fiercely swinging drummer…” -Gary Giddens, VILLAGE VOICE

“….on drums sounding like the fiery incarnation of Art Blakey, Sylvia Cuenca was in total, resourceful command of her instrument, trading wit-laced breaks with Clark and driving the horns and the rest of us into a joyousness beyond category and politics.”
Nat Hentoff, JAZZ TIMES

“Sylvia swings impeccably and has an authentic feel for the latin genre. When she solos, she does so with imagination and taste.”
Alan Chase, SEACOAST JAZZ

“Cuenca’s strong playing crackled, her energy a delight to observe as she worked her way around the drum kit.” -ST. LOUIS POST

“From the first note, the attack of the whole group was aggressive and cohesive anchored by the crisp drumming of Sylvia Cuenca.”
Alyn Shipton, THE TIMES (Birmingham England)

“…a swinging drummer…” -LEWIS BEALE, DAILY NEWS, NY

“Terry exchanged whimsical scatted vocal breaks with equally spirited drum breaks by Sylvia Cuenca.” -CHIP DEFFAA, NEW YORK POST

“…..with drummer Sylvia Cuenca rounding out the ensemble, Clark Terry had a dream band at his command.”
Howard Reich, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

“When you listen to Sylvia you really hear the depth of her knowledge of all the roots and branches of this music. Above all, I urge you to remember that Sylvia Cuenca has arrived and she is fierce!!!” KEITH COPELAND, (Frankfurt, Germany)