Guillo Carias (1936–2022) was a Dominican multi instrumentalist, arranger and composer whose pioneering work helped shape Caribbean jazz for generations. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he began studying music at a young age under the guidance of his father, a pianist. Showing early promise as a trumpet player, Guillo quickly became one of the most sought-after musicians in the country.

By 1955, he had joined the prestigious orchestra at the El Jaragua Hotel in Santo Domingo, and soon after took his talents abroad—first to Jamaica in 1957 to perform with the Round Hill Hotel orchestra, then to Curaçao in 1959, and Puerto Rico in 1961. His international breakthrough came in 1962 when he joined the world-renowned Tito Rodríguez Orchestra in New York City. As one of the orchestra’s star players, he toured extensively across the U.S. and Latin America, contributing to numerous landmark recordings that helped define the golden era of Latin jazz.

In 1964, Guillo returned to Puerto Rico as the conductor and musical director of the San Geronimo Hilton. Later, he continued his groundbreaking work in his homeland, where he became a vital force in jazz education and performance. He conducted the first jazz symphonic concert in the Dominican Republic and collaborated with legendary artists such as Celia Cruz, Dave Brubeck, and Michel Camilo.

A mentor, visionary, and innovator, Guillo Carias’s six-decade career left a lasting legacy in both performance and education. His influence continues to resonate through the musicians he inspired, the institutions he helped shape, and the music he left behind.