Vernon Chatlein is a percussionist and composer from Curaçao, specializing in Afro-Caribbean, Latin music, and jazz. He is also the creative producer of his own research and performance platform, Voices from Letters. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prize. 

. Despite being based in the Netherlands, Chatlein constantly reconnects with Curaçao, ensuring that each of his projects is shared and performed on his home island. His work, whether consciously or not, is always rooted in his connection to his people and culture.

To further hone his craft, Chatlein studied with world-class percussionists such as José Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Yaroldi Abreu, and Dreiser Durruthy Bombalé. These experiences cemented his reputation, leading him to perform on international stages including the Festival de Jazz NaguaNagua in Venezuela, the Baltimore-Washington Jazz Festival, Teatro Bellas Artes in Havana, Saulkrasti Jazz Festival in Latvia, North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, St. Peter’s Church Jazz Brunch in New York, and the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival in Aruba. He has toured extensively across the United States, Japan, and China with the Malando Orchestra and was one of the founding members of the Dutch-Curaçaoan festival band KiT (Kuenta i Tambú).