The Annual Sabian Cymbal Artist Residency: Walfredo Reyes Sr. and Walfredo Reyes Jr.—Open Rehearsal

The annual Sabian Cymbal Artist Residency features Walfredo Reyes Sr. and Walfredo Reyes Jr. in concert.

Walfredo Reyes Sr. is an internationally renowned percussionist and drummer—one of Cuba's most influential. He has recorded with a stellar cast of artists in both Cuba and the United States, including Alex Acuña, Cachao, Tito Puente, Linda Ronstadt, and Steve Winwood. Working in Las Vegas for many years, Walfredo Sr. also performed with Milton Berle, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., and Wayne Newton, among others. He was recognized for his extensive percussion work with a Modern Drummer Award in 2005.

Fusing the rich history of Latin, Afro-Cuban, and world percussion with the drum set has been the driving passion of Walfredo Reyes Jr. By blazing this path, he has challenged the technical levels of the instrument.

Born in Cuba, raised in Puerto Rico, and culminating his musical style in the United States, "Wally" (Walfredo Jr.) learned the traditions from the master, his father Walfredo Sr. He married those principles with his love of the drum set, coming up with his own, truly global, rhythmic style. Simply put, he is able to sound like a drummer and a percussionist at the same time. Add blistering chops and a penchant for playing unusual patterns to the mix, and you have only a small idea of what this man can do.

Not surprisingly, this "one-man percussion show" has gathered an impressive list of gigs over the years, including touring and/or recording with Jackson Browne, Ricki Lee Jones, Smokey Robinson, Carlos Santana, and Steve Winwood, among others. He currently lives in the Los Angeles area where he continues to record, produce, compose, teach, perform, and tour.