Que Pasa

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 1998 by Rudy Mangual

In recognition of International Drum Month (November) and the Latin Beat annual Percussion Issue, we honor and salute all the drummers and percussionists in our city. Blessed with some of the planet's top musicians as well as many national top-grade contenders, Los Angeles beats the drums with the best and for the best in the music business. Home to superstar trap drummers Alex Acuña, Walfredo Reyes, and Joey Heredia, among others, these percussionists have kept the city hip and up to date with their amazing bands and talents.

Acuña, fronting is own band or playing with other local giants like Justo Almario and Abraham Laboriel, continues to excel on the traps and on all percussion instruments. Walfredo (Wally) Reyes, whose father is the legendary Cuban master drummer Walfredo de Los Reyes Sr. (still very active), also makes his home in Los Angeles. To see this man in town lately is impossible because he is always on the road with the likes of Stevie Winwood, Joe Sample and Santana.

On the Latin percussion side, the talent is immense. Master percussionist Francisco Aguabella (originally from Cuba) has made Los Angeles his home for many years now and always leads an excellent band.

Homeboy Poncho Sánchez, an international Latin jazz icon, can be seen frequently throughout the city, fronting his tight Latin jazz band. This is one musician who always gives one hundred percent on stage, regardless of where he and his band performs.

Luis Conte, of international fame, has performed with Madonna, James Taylor, and Paquito D'Rivera, just to mention a few and has led his own band with several recording projects to his credit. He continues to be one of the most sought-after percussionists in the business today.

Bobby Matos and his Heritage Ensemble, one of the city's pioneers in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz movement, can be found regularly around town with his unique sound.

Heavyweights of the skins like Michito Sánchez, Kevin Ricard, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas, Papo Rodríguez, David Romero, Freddie Crespo, The Banda Brothers, Nengue Hernández, Tony Rosa, Rudy Regalado, Richie García, Bill Summers, Perico Ortiz, Tony Alba, Mazacote, Johnny Blas, Robertito Meléndez, José De León Jr., Long John Oliva, Raul Rico, Virgilio Figueroa, and Arnie Silva, have played and recorded with the top names of the music scene, locally, nationally and internationally, many in all musical genres. Some lead their own bands today or play with some of LA's top bands when available. They are the guys who put the Latin flavor in Latin jazz music and they are the masters of the rhythm in salsa music. These musicians are responsible for the spice of dance music and are the main ingredient of most world music. They are the keepers of our ancestral rhythms, forms and folklore, and remain the future of this art. This month, please salute and thank all the drummers and percussionists you encounter. They truly deserve it.