Biography
Memo Acevedo is a New York city drummer, percussionist, composer and much in demand educator. 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.
In early 1996, Memo moved to New York City where he has recorded with the late greats Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Gregory Hines and Joe Cuba; Jazz masters Mark Murphy, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jackie & Roy, Cuban bands Klimax and Irakere mong others. Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "Civil War."
Teaching at NYU since 1997, he currently directs the 'Batucada', Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban Ensembles and gives private lessons on drum set and percussion. He is the co-author of the Drummers Collective book "Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian Drumming" where he taught for 7 years. He's been in charge of the Education Department at LP since 2004.
Memo is credited as the pioneer of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz music styles in Canada, with live performances as well as educational programs; most notably at Toronto's Humber College (10 yrs). His self-produced CD "Building Bridges" (Concord) features mentor Tito Puente, Dave Valentín and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. He produced and hosted his own radio show "The Latin Beat" at CIUT-FM, for ten years.
He has recorded with most of the major stars in Canada as well as jingles and TV shows. As a composer, he has won the National "AD's Music Award" for his TV commercial "Unbeatable" in 1989. In 1991 he received the JUNO Award (Canada's equivalent to the Grammy) in the "World Beat" category. He was also awarded "Percussionist of the Year" two years on a row 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 and percussion education worldwide.
He credits as his major drumming influences Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham and Tito Puente. Memo endorses SABIAN cymbals, PRO-MARK (with a stick of his creativity, named Revolution), TAYE drums and EVANS heads.
In early 1996, Memo moved to New York City where he has recorded with the late greats Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Gregory Hines and Joe Cuba; Jazz masters Mark Murphy, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jackie & Roy, Cuban bands Klimax and Irakere mong others. Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "Civil War."
Teaching at NYU since 1997, he currently directs the 'Batucada', Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban Ensembles and gives private lessons on drum set and percussion. He is the co-author of the Drummers Collective book "Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian Drumming" where he taught for 7 years. He's been in charge of the Education Department at LP since 2004.
Memo is credited as the pioneer of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz music styles in Canada, with live performances as well as educational programs; most notably at Toronto's Humber College (10 yrs). His self-produced CD "Building Bridges" (Concord) features mentor Tito Puente, Dave Valentín and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. He produced and hosted his own radio show "The Latin Beat" at CIUT-FM, for ten years.
He has recorded with most of the major stars in Canada as well as jingles and TV shows. As a composer, he has won the National "AD's Music Award" for his TV commercial "Unbeatable" in 1989. In 1991 he received the JUNO Award (Canada's equivalent to the Grammy) in the "World Beat" category. He was also awarded "Percussionist of the Year" two years on a row 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 and percussion education worldwide.
He credits as his major drumming influences Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham and Tito Puente. Memo endorses SABIAN cymbals, PRO-MARK (with a stick of his creativity, named Revolution), TAYE drums and EVANS heads.
