Memo Acevedo is an active drummer, percussionist, composer and educator in New York City. He pioneered Colombia's Rock music scene during his mid-teens. A self-taught musician, his passion for Jazz and Latin music compelled him to take it as a serious object of study after leaving Colombia. Having lived in Spain, Mexico, Canada, and the United States, Memo has acquired a vast experience in all styles of music.
He has performed and recorded with the likes of Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Gregory Hines, Joe Cuba, Stephen Stills, Louie Bellson, The Propellerheads, The Urgency, Tom Scott, Irakere, Klimax, Mark Murphy, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jackie & Roy; Cuban bands Klimax, Maraca and Irakere, and Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "Civil War."
Memo started teaching at NYU in September of 1997, where he currently directs the Samba ’Batucada’ and the Latin/Brazilian Jazz Ensemble, as well as giving private lessons on Cuban and Brazilian drum set and percussion.
He is the co-author of the "Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian Drumming" book (Carl Fischer) produced by New York's Drummer's Collective where he taught for 7 years. He's also been in charge of the Education Departments at LP & TOCA since 2004.
Memo is also considered the pioneer of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz styles in Canada where he lived in the late 70s. His self-produced CD "Building Bridges" features mentor Tito Puente, flutist, Dave Valentín and pianist, Gonzalo Rubalcaba. While in Canada, Memo taught at the prestigious Humber College Jazz program in Toronto for 10 years as well as hosting his own radio show "The Latin Beat" on CIUT-FM.
His credits as a session player in Canada include recording and playing with most of the major stars in that country and doing TV work and jingles. As a composer, he won the 1989 National "AD Music Award" for his TV commercial "Unbeatable". In 1991 he received the JUNO Award (Canada's equivalent to the Grammy) in the "World Beat" category. He was also awarded twice, "Percussionist of the Year" by the Jazz Report Magazine's Media poll in 1994 and 1995. Most recently he received the KoSA ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to the world of Percussion worldwide
He credits as his major drumming influences Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham and Tito Puente. Memo is a proud endorser of TAYE drums.
Website:
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StudioMaple in Golden Amber:
- 14"x6" Snare
- 22"x18" Bass
- 10"x8.5" Rack Tom
- 12"x9" Rack Tom
- 16"x16" Floor Tom
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