I’m sure many of you already know the name Alex Acuna. For those that don’t, he is ONLY one of the worlds leading percussionists ( certainly one of the BEST ) on both hand drums and percussion as well as the kit. Although he’s recorded and performed with EVERYONE, he’s probably best known for his work in the groundbreaking 1970’s jazz fusion group Weather Report
I have had the good fortune to meet Alex through his enormously talented daughter Regina Acuna-Williams with whom I have spent the last 4 years drumming as part of the worship band for the faith community known as The Bridge.
Recently Alex joined us for our pre-Christmas celebration and we shared drumming duties that morning……Let me tell you, I had met Alex the prior year at our Easter gathering and got to witness his amazing kit technique then as well as have him watch while I attempted to perform the same tune…gulp! But he is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. He gave me tips and encouraged me while pointing out the beauty of our different styles and approach(es) to the instrument.
Well, this Christmas I was really in for a treat as I got to watch and listen to him drum on Little Drummer Boy. At the rehearsal earlier that morning he walked in while I was playing with Regina and the others and after we finished working on the other tunes I would be playing, Alex came up to play. It was great to re-connect with him and felt as though we had just seen eachother recently. ( side note: I recently recorded 3 tracks for The Bridge cd entitled “8″ at Alex’s home studio in Balboa Lake but he wasn’t there that day…more on that session later). Of course his playing was incredible. He got sounds out of my Bosphorus cymbals I’ve never heard before and displayed a comfortable approach and light touch combined with just the right moments of power that captured the spirit of the classic tune beautifully. After he finished he told me how much he liked the sound of the kit and MY playing (huh). (the kit is a Pacific kit by DW and I had just put alot of work into dialing it in so I was super stoked to have him say that!!) I sat down to play the next tune and he grabbed up some of my tambourines and shakers….I couldn’t believe it…I was playing a song with Alex Acuna!!! The best part was that we were sharing a moment together for God’s glory and the conversation we shared later definitely held moments I will treasure.
