Alejandro Neciosup Acuña, also known as Alex Acuña, is a renowned Peruvian drummer and percussionist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born on December 12, 1944, in Pativilca, Peru, Acuña grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music at a very young age. His father was a musician who played the guitar, and his mother was a singer. Acuña's siblings were also musically inclined, and they often played together as a family band. Acuña's interest in music was sparked when he was just four years old, and he began playing the cajón, a Peruvian percussion instrument. He later learned to play the drums and other percussion instruments, including the congas, bongos, and timbales. Acuña's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a sought-after musician in Peru. In the early 1960s, Acuña moved to Lima, where he began playing with some of the top musicians in the country. He played with the likes of Lucho Macedo, Coco Lagos, and Enrique Lynch, among others. In 1964, Acuña joined the band of Peruvian singer Cecilia Barraza, which gave him the opportunity to tour internationally for the first time. In 1967, Acuña moved to Puerto Rico, where he played with the band of salsa legend Ray Barretto. He later moved to New York City, where he became a session musician and played with some of the biggest names in jazz and Latin music, including Weather Report, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, and Jaco Pastorius. Acuña's talent and versatility as a drummer and percussionist made him a highly sought-after musician, and he quickly became a fixture in the music industry. He played on countless recordings and performed with some of the most influential musicians of his time. In 1975, Acuña joined the jazz fusion band Weather Report, which was led by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Acuña's unique style of playing, which blended Latin rhythms with jazz and rock, was a perfect fit for the band, and he played on some of their most iconic albums, including "Black Market" and "Heavy Weather." Acuña's time with Weather Report was a highlight of his career, and he was recognized for his contributions to the band's sound. In 1977, he was named "Best Percussionist" by Modern Drummer magazine, and he was also awarded a Grammy for his work on "Heavy Weather." After leaving Weather Report in 1978, Acuña continued to work as a session musician and toured with a variety of artists, including Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, and Al Jarreau. He also released several solo albums, including "Acuarela de Tambores" and "Thinking of You." In the 1990s, Acuña began to focus more on teaching and passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of musicians. He taught at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and also conducted workshops and masterclasses around the world. Acuña's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to his Grammy award, he has been inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded the Order of Merit by the Peruvian government for his contributions to music. Today, Acuña continues to perform and record, and he remains a highly respected and influential figure in the world of music. His unique style of playing, which blends Latin rhythms with jazz and rock, has inspired countless musicians and has helped to shape the sound of modern music.

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