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Artist
Alex Acuña & The Unknowns
5+ albums
jazz fusionperuvianFusion
about
Alex Acuña was born and raised in Lima, Peru. A self-educated musician, he was inspired by his father and brothers, all of whom were musicians. By the time Alex turned ten he was already playing in local bands. As a teenager, he was one of Peru’s most accomplished session drummers, performing on many recording projects for artists, as well as film and television productions. Alex also earned a glowing reputation for his skills as a live performer. At the age of eighteen, Alex was asked to join the big band of the great Latin bandleader, Perez Prado. It was with the Prado band that Alex first traveled the United States. Several years later he began to study at the Conservatory of Puerto Rico, while performing as a classical percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra for the Pablo Casals’ Summer Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1974 Alex moved to Las Vegas where he played with such greats as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. Following this chapter of his career Alex became both drummer and percussionist for one of the most innovative jazz groups of our time, Weather Report, with whom he recorded on the Black Market and Heavy Weather albums. Alex next moved to Los Angeles, California in 1978. Here, Alex quickly learned the position of a valued session drummer and percussionist for recordings, television, and motion pictures. He became the recipient of many awards and honors including the Emeritus MVP award from the L.A. chapter of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and
