Walfredo de los Reyes, Jr.
b. 1955 in Havana
Walfredo Reyes Jr. (born Walfredo de los Reyes Palau IV; December 18, 1955) is a Cuban American musician who is an expert in drum set and auxiliary percussion, and a music educator and clinician. He has performed with many jazz, Latin, World music, World fusion, Afro-Cuban, and rock bands as a touring, session recording, and full-time player/performer.
Early life
Walfredo de los Reyes Palau IV was born on December 18, 1955, in Havana, Cuba. His native name is a traditional Cuban combination of his paternal and maternal surnames. He is a third generation musician in a prolific professional musical lineage on both sides of his family, including several globally recognized percussion experts. His father is percussionist Walfredo Reyes, Sr.; one brother is world music percussionist Daniel de los Reyes; another brother is actor Kamar de los Reyes; and his grandfather is trumpeter and Cuban orchestral organizer, Walfredo de los Reyes II. Leading up to his current role with the band Chicago, Reyes had a connection as a lifelong fan of the band, as a long-time friend of and collaborator with former drummer Tris Imboden, and as brother of Chicago's previous percussionist Daniel de los Reyes. The first album Reyes purchased as a youth was with his own money was Chicago Transit Authority Walfredo Reyes Jr. and his wife Kirsten were married on March 21, 2020, and live in Greater Cincinnati. For the 2021 movie Being the Ricardos, Reyes coached and mentored Javier Bardem in learning the conga drums performed in the film. Reyes has globally toured and/or recorded with countless international acts, including the following:
Every band they have passed through, with what they played and when — and whether they were there at the start.
Where they came from, where they are, and who they are to other people.
- Born
- 1955-12-18 · Havana
- Also works as
- composer, jazz musician, percussionist, musician
- Plays
- percussion instrument, drum kit
Where to hear from them lately. These are live searches, not a list somebody froze — so they stay current.
- Wikipedia →the full article
- Interviews on YouTube →newest first
- Recent news & comments →Google News
- Blabbermouth →metal press
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons