Alex Acuña

Peruvian drummer and percussionist Alex Acuna discovered trumpet and piano from his father, while teaching himself the rudiments of drumming. He became a studio room musician in Lima at 16, and became a member of Prez Prado’s music group in 1964, arriving with these to NEVADA. Acuna worked well from 1966-1975 like a studio room musician in Puerto Rico and LA aswell as NEVADA, then joined Weather conditions Statement. He alternated functions there during his two-year stint, splitting time taken between becoming their percussionist and drummer. Acuna produced two albums with Weather conditions Report, included in this the hugely effective Heavy Weather conditions, before departing. He created his own music group, Koinoni, in 1980. Acuna hasn’t attained the visible of additional Latin percussionists like Airto or Nana Vasconcelos, but includes a lengthy set of professional credits, including documenting times with Clare Fischer, Ella Fitzgerald, Tania Maria, Chick Corea, Paco De Lucia and Joni Mitchell, and also a stint in guitarist Lee Ritenour’s group. He’s merged traditional Peruvian and contemporary Latin rhythms right into a billed personal design that also displays the impact of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, amongst others. His current music group has documented for JVC, and mixes Afro-Latin and Latin jazz with funk and fusion.