Alex Acuna

daredrummer

Gold Member
Any Alex Acuna fans here?

I discovered him a week or so ago, and I love his drumming and style! He is an afro cuban and jazz drummer and percussionist, and has performed with countless musicians including weather report on their hit album heavy weather (and percussion on black market). After he left them he became a session drummer and has performed with tons of big names like Elvis, Diana Ross, Paul McCarthy, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Santana, U2: The list goes on and on. He also does a lot of independent work, both on drumset and percussion.

Here's his drummerworld page
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Alex_Acuna.html

And some of my favorite vids.

Classic song birdland from heavy weather


Rumba Mama from weather report. Got to give some props to manolo badrena on this one, he did some of the percussive work too. Here's the live version, it's really fun to watch!

Palladium by weather report. Great drum set and percussion, and my favorite WR song.

Havona by Weather Report. Another great song, also one of my favs.

Awesome conga/timbale solo, freakin incredible

Sweet afro cuban groove

Some amazing percussion and awesome fusion on the set.

Haha I know it's a lot of videos, but I just can't get enough of him!

If you haven't heard of him, watch some vids, and check him out!
 
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Yes, the man is a legend. I don't think there's anything that guy can't play. I have a vinyl recording of him playing drums for Strunz & Farah and the playing was superb. He's just one of those that gets the status of "yes, he can play" and he occupies his space among the many drummers I admire - don't really need to discuss it ;)
 
Yes Alex is one cool brother. Really listened to his stuff when he was with Koinonia. Got to do a spontanious hand drum jam with him and about 8 other cats this last NAMM show but drumhead61 didn't record it! wow! lol
 
I've only knowingly heard him play on Heavy Weather, although I've probably heard him on Santana etc.

Whatever, that's plenty enough to make me a fan. Birdland, Palladium, A Remark You Made ... fantastic player.
 
..

I've only really heard him with WR and on the tunes Polly mentioned.
Since WR is a major influence and Alex is a part & parcle of that vibe, so I'd like to believe that there a little Alex in my playing.

Btw, Alex tells a great story of how he got hired for the WR drum chair.
He gets a surprise call from Zawinul on the recommendation of a few guys and Zawinul tells him he's coming out to Vegas to check him out. Zawinul arrives & checks into Ceasar's.

Alex comes by to the hotel room later that evening to pick him up to take him to his gig, and Zawinul says " Hey, walk for me". "I wanna see how you walk"!

" Walk"?? Feeling rather awkward and s tunned, Alex walks gingerly across the room.

Zawinul says, " Yeaaa! I like how you walk". " You're hired"

Alex goes " Wtf".

...
 
Yes, the man is a legend. I don't think there's anything that guy can't play. I have a vinyl recording of him playing drums for Strunz & Farah and the playing was superb. He's just one of those that gets the status of "yes, he can play" and he occupies his space among the many drummers I admire - don't really need to discuss it ;)

Haha well said Bo!

Yes Alex is one cool brother. Really listened to his stuff when he was with Koinonia. Got to do a spontanious hand drum jam with him and about 8 other cats this last NAMM show but drumhead61 didn't record it! wow! lol

Haven't checked out the Koinonia stuff, I'll have ti look into that.
That must of been pretty cool doing a drum jam with him, did you talk to him at all?
..

I've only really heard him with WR and on the tunes Polly mentioned.
Since WR is a major influence and Alex is a part & parcle of that vibe, so I'd like to believe that there a little Alex in my playing.

Btw, Alex tells a great story of how he got hired for the WR drum chair.
He gets a surprise call from Zawinul on the recommendation of a few guys and Zawinul tells him he's coming out to Vegas to check him out. Zawinul arrives & checks into Ceasar's.

Alex comes by to the hotel room later that evening to pick him up to take him to his gig, and Zawinul says " Hey, walk for me". "I wanna see how you walk"!

" Walk"?? Feeling rather awkward and s tunned, Alex walks gingerly across the room.

Zawinul says, " Yeaaa! I like how you walk". " You're hired"

Alex goes " Wtf".

...

Lol, I wonder if that really happened.
I wouldn't be surprised because Zawinul is pretty crazy, he sure can play that keyboard though.
 
Re: Alex Acuna Free Live Performance on 10/18

NEWBURY PARK, CA - October 18, 2013 – Alex Acuna has played with such greats as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. His countless album and live credits include such diverse artist as U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Placido Domingo, Tito Puente, Santana and many, many more.

Alex has received countless awards and honors throughout his career, including the Emeritus MVP award from NARAS (National Academy of Recording for the Arts and Sciences) and "Best Latin/Brazilian Percussionist" in the Modern Drummer's Readers Poll for five consecutive years. He cemented his place in jazz history when he became both drummer and percussionist for one of the most innovative and pioneering jazz groups of all time, Weather Report.

Now Alex Acuna will be performing at the GoDpsMusic pro artist showroom Friday, October 18th at 6:30pm PST.

Highlights include:

Exclusive live performance

Gon Bops Cajons and Congas giveaways, 3 winners!

Artist signing and meet and greet

Free live stream where fans can watch and interact online

50 % off Gon Bops Drums and Congas day of event!



Presented by GoDpsMusic Live and Gon Bops for more details visit

http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops

Bring your friends and family!

GoDpsMusic: 810 Lawrence Drive Ste. #128 Newbury Park, CA 91320
Phone: 888-355-4377 http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops



*RSVP here for free in store seating at http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops *Limited Space Available



Watch the entire event streaming live on your computer or mobile device at http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops

Oct 18th at 6:30pm - 8:30pm PST (9:30pm-11:30pm EST)
 
couldn't help but notice this post, and I could help but to let you all now that Alex Acuna will be doing a live and FREE clinic, here are some details on it and if you need more info please contact me!!

PLAY HARD EVERYBODY!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEGENDARY PERCUSSIONIST ALEX ACUNA
TO CONDUCT FREE PERCUSSION CLINIC/PERFORMANCE
AND FREE LIVE STREAM
AT GoDpsMusic OCTOBER 18TH 2013 6:30PM-8:30PM (PST)


NEWBURY PARK, CA - October 18, 2013 – Alex Acuna has played with such greats as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. His countless album and live credits include such diverse artist as U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Placido Domingo, Tito Puente, Santana and many, many more.
Alex has received countless awards and honors throughout his career, including the Emeritus MVP award from NARAS (National Academy of Recording for the Arts and Sciences) and "Best Latin/Brazilian Percussionist" in the Modern Drummer's Readers Poll for five consecutive years. He cemented his place in jazz history when he became both drummer and percussionist for one of the most innovative and pioneering jazz groups of all time, Weather Report.
Now Alex Acuna will be performing at the GoDpsMusic pro artist showroom Friday, October 18th at 6:30pm PST.
Highlights include:
• Exclusive live performance
• Gon Bops Cajons and Congas giveaways, 3 winners!
• Artist signing and meet and greet
• Free live stream where fans can watch and interact online
• 50 % off Gon Bops Drums and Congas day of event!

Presented by GoDpsMusic Live and Gon Bops for more details visit
http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops
Bring your friends and family!
GoDpsMusic: 810 Lawrence Drive Ste. #128 Newbury Park, CA 91320
Phone: 888-355-4377 http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops

*RSVP here for free in store seating at http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops *Limited Space Available

Watch the entire event streaming live on your computer or mobile device at http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/Gonbops
Oct 18th at 6:30pm - 8:30pm PST (9:30pm-11:30pm EST)





GoDpsMusic is a nationwide retailer of musical instruments. We are passionate about keeping music in people’s lives. Visit our store or website for monthly clinics and events! We now offer guitar and drum lessons in Newbury Park, CA. http://www.godpsmusic.com/info/lessons.
For more on GoDpsMusic visit www.GoDpsMusic.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Myspace, Pinterest and Youtube /GoDpsMusic.
 

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Saw this guy at a clinic yesterday and was truly blown away by his musicality, chops, and all-around passion for music.

Seriously, he is a walking rhythm machine. He was playing on all manner of percussive instruments (Congas, timbales, cajon, drums, etc.) across pretty much every major genre of music, and even was demonstrating some complex polyrhythms via his vocal cords.

I had some passing exposure to his body of work, but anyone who has played with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Santana, U2, Paul McCartney, Elvis, Whitney Houston, etc. deserves some major props.

Other than Heavy Weather, any other recommendations for further exploring his back catalogue?
 
Yes, Alex is a great player. I have a Gon Bops Alex Aacuna Special Edition cajon which I like very much.
 
Check out the CD "Lift Him Up with Ron Kenoly", a live album from 1992.

A buddy of mine recommended it to me, and I've had my copy for almost 20 years, just a huge collection of really well-written Christian praise songs and great musicianship. I hadn't taken up drumming yet, I just knew there was a heavy Latin tinge to the first half of the album that was very interesting. After I started reading Modern Drummer and became familiar with the names on the pages, I went back to that CD and saw Alex 's name playing percussion the credits and I started to appreciate his performance quite a bit more.

Here is a portion of the DVD from the recording of that album, I think that's Alex at the 3:29 mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7VHHAl8dL4
 
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Check out the CD "Lift Him Up with Ron Kenoly", a live album from 1992.

A buddy of mine recommended it to me, and I've had my copy for almost 20 years, just a huge collection of really well-written Christian praise songs and great musicianship. I hadn't taken up drumming yet, I just knew there was a heavy Latin tinge to the first half of the album that was very interesting. After I started reading Modern Drummer and became familiar with the names on the pages, I went back to that CD and saw Alex 's name playing percussion the credits and I started to appreciate his performance quite a bit more.

Here is a portion of the DVD from the recording of that album, I think that's Alex at the 3:29 mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7VHHAl8dL4

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not religious, so I can't say I have any knowledge of religious-based music, but I am always keen to try new things and will give that a listen.
 
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