My wife's Peruvian and we've been to Lima many times. Once I was lucky enough to see Alex play outdoors in front of a 1700 year old pre-Inca pyramid in the middle of the city. He was amazing.
Weather Report was the first live jazz fusion concert i ever saw at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach CA 1976. They did Black Market. Peter Erskine on drums Change my life forever
Alex is one of my heroes, since I play both traps and congas/bongos & percussion. My congas and bongos are the very same Alex Acuna Gon Bops that he plays in this video. Thanks to Alex for all the inspiration and great music!
Great video. I have seen Acuna live on stage several times but his clinics are awesome. I recall him saying he could play virtually any style of music on a clave' feel. He demonstrated rock, jazz, and of course Latin rhythms while keeping a clave' going and that was amazing.
met him first at NAMM with Efrain late '80s, then again a coupla times at Joe & Maxine's NYE fête. Sweetheart of a guy, and musical giant! love the story of Don Elias and him joining forces - unicorns among outliers
First time I heard Alex Acuna was on Lee Ritenour's Album "Friendship" which I bought over 40 years ago. Then there was "Zildjian Day In New York" Alex being the opening act. "We got Drums Conga's Bongo's Timbale, everybody's here, I love you all".
This video has cleared many question I had about WR. Back in the mid 80 one pic you saw Alex on percussions, then next month you saw him as the drummer for WR. I was like "waidaminute who is Alex?"
Thank you for getting these two legends together. I've been listening to these guys seemingly all my life and to hear them just shoot it and reminisce is just simply inspiring.
Alex is a very good example that to be an awesome drummer you don't have to kill the kit like Cobham. Just keep perfect rhythm. I've always been in awe of Alex in how he can hol d the same beat throughout an entire cut
I agree that Alex is a great sensitive groover ( maybe because of him being a handdrumer first, but have you heard Acuna rip in the end of Harlequin on Heavy Weather? The most explosive fills i ever heard. Incredible power, speed and finesse.
Acuña! More than years 50 playing, is Like the good wine. El tipo es como el vino... Also the band is awesome! One of the best trío combination that I never heard.
Greetings from Rio. Great stuff Don! Can only reiterate much of what has already been said by the guys in comments below. Alex has such grand musical integrity. 5 stars Alex!! btw....Terry Bozzio brings out the best in these interviews....5 stars all round.
Alex Acuna 🥁 🪘🎶🎵 Humble Human Being I've ever met. I'm grateful for his kindness and mentorship during his days playing with the Band Koinania in Los Angeles California in the 1980's. Continued Blessings Sir Acuna 🥁🎶🎵
Good morning 🌄 this was a very good clinic the lesson plan was very well thought out and you can follow every stroke of the musical phrase, and on top of that the groove sounds great, you are a very good 🥁instructor...🎉
My friend Roberto Quintana Jr. started out as percussionist for the group Spearhead. Quickly afterward, when the band downsized, Roberto ended up playing drums for the live concerts. He also played percussion on the record and we had a slew of drummers on the Stay Human album. So...it's not uncommon. You guys shold interview him and talk about that era.
Super! Alex is so cool, I was living in L.A. when Heavy Weather came out such an impact musically. Saw them perform it and everything else at Santa Monica Civic.
Alex is insanely talented and diverse. He was also a member of Koinonia (with Abraham Laborial).Terry is Terry, a legend himself! Watch the Frank Zappa 1977 Palladium shows (online or Baby Snakes video), a shirtless Terry doing magical stuff.
Nice piece Don! Love the layering with you as the base, then the interviews, and the performance segments interspersed were great. Nice work! Alex is such a treasure!
