Drummer/percussionist Victor Rendón is a sought after New York City musician who has released two CDs as co-leader of The Latin Jazz Orchestra and has worked with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O’Farrill, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Ray Santos, Grupo Caribe, Latin Jazz Coalition, the New Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Los Más Valientes, Grupo Latin Vibe, Rudy Calzado’s Cubarama, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and many more. He formed the group Blue Mambo, featured in the LP Music group’s “Passion for Music: The Holiday CD, Vol. 5”. Their self-titled debut CD was released in 2008.

As an author and transcriber, Rendon’s work has appeared in Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Percussive Notes, Drumfiles, DCI Music Video, RRR Education Newsletter (Reading-Writing-Rhythm) by LP, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is the author of “The Art of Playing Timbales” published by Music in Motion Films and distributed by Alfred Publishing, and is the former publisher of his own semi-annual magazine called the Latin Percussionist.

As an educator, Rendón currently conducts the Latin Jazz Ensemble at Lehman College. He holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Texas and has taught instrumental music and Latin percussion classes in the New York Public School system and at the Boy’s Harbor Performing Arts Center. He has also conducted clinics and workshops for the Department of Education in New York City, PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), Global Praise at Princeton University, and the Eddie Ming Drum School in Bermuda among other events.

Q & A

BORN IN:

Pontiac, Michigan

LIVES IN:
New York City

DRUMMING SINCE: 1965

CURRENT BAND/PROJECT(S):
Blue Mambo, Co-Tim-Bo Percussion Group, Director of the Lehman College Latin Jazz Ensemble

BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S):
Buddy Rich, Tito Puente

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON:

“Havana Blues”, Latin Jazz Orchestra

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Buddy Rich, “Big Swing Face”; Tito Puente, “Top Percussion”

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Performances and recording with Chico O’ Farrill Orchestra, Mongo Santamaria

FAVORITE SABIAN CYMBAL: 18” AA EL SABOR CRASH