Legendary Cuban percussionist Walfredo de los Reyes Sr. dies at 92

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Noted Cuban percussionist Walfredo de los Reyes Sr., celebrated worldwide and with a remarkable six-decade long career in the music business, passed away on August 28 at the age of 92, in Concord, California.

Last week, Walfredo de los Reyes Jr., a drummer known for his work with the iconic rock group Chicago, announced the passing of his father via a post on Instagram.

Last night, my dear father Walfredo de los Reyes Sr. passed away, with his cherished wife Debbie, brother Danny, and I, Kirsten, by his side. Beyond being an exceptional father, he was a guiding influence in both music and life. His memory will forever reside within me… the essence of his soul, the beat of his rhythm, shall never fade.

Reflecting on my chat with The Times, I, a die-hard movie buff, can’t help but share personal anecdotes about my dearly departed father, De los Reyes. His son, me – the drummer in the multi-Grammy winning country sensation Zac Brown Band – reminisce about our recent moments together and the deep sorrow that accompanies his loss.

He stated, ‘I did whatever possible to aid him during his final months and days, focusing on comfort.’ While many have written heartfelt tributes, he was simply my father – a man I cared for, worked with, and supported. The process of dealing with everything has been incredibly challenging. He was my hero, like a Superman or Bionic Man. I always thought he was invincible, but the end eventually arrived.

Daniel aspires for his father’s musical heritage to be maintained and respected, yet he yearns for people to recall the individual his father was beyond the realm of the music industry.

Daniel remarked, “He’d welcome anyone and offer assistance without a second thought. Regardless of their origin, if someone reached out to him, I guarantee that he’d extend an invitation for them to join him at home, fostering an immediate sense of belonging as though they were part of his family.

Daniel also shared his father’s last words to him: “Always play your best.”

He stated that it wasn’t merely about playing a musical instrument, but rather it was about striving to be the best version of oneself. This act, he explained, would bring a sense of contentment and self-satisfaction when one retires for the night.

From hereon, those final words will serve as my guiding principle throughout my life. Striving to embody the best version of myself has always been a priority, but now, I feel the love of my father radiating within me, inspiring and empowering me every step of the way.

Entertainment & Arts

56-year-old Actor Kamar de los Reyes, known for his roles in ‘One Life to Live’ soap opera and the ‘Call of Duty’ video game series, passed away following a fight against cancer.

Walfredo de los Reyes III hails from Havana, born on June 16, 1933, to a musically inclined family. His father, also known as Walfredo de los Reyes II, was a renowned trumpeter who co-founded the Orquesta Casino de la Playa back in 1937.

From there on, De los Reyes became known for playing percussions alongside legendary Latin musicians like Tito Puente, Cachao López, Willie Bobo, and Cuban singer La Lupe. Additionally, he performed with numerous famous American acts such as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Linda Ronstadt, Dionne Warwick, Steve Winwood, Debbie Reynolds. His performances expanded further during his long-term stay in Las Vegas, where he performed alongside Milton Berle, Wayne Newton, Robert Goulet, Bernadette Peters, and Rita Moreno.

His unique approach to performing, which involves playing both a drum kit and various percussion instruments at the same time, is influenced by a blend of Cuban and American music styles, as demonstrated by musicians such as Candido Segarra and Ed Shaughnessy. However, this style was also developed out of necessity.

In a 2011 interview with the National Assn. of Music Merchants, De los Reyes stated that when he first formed his band at the Casino Parisien in Havana, he didn’t have enough funds to hire a conga player. Faced with the choice between a conga and a singer, he opted for a singer because every band needs a vocalist. Then, he began playing the congas with his left hand on the left side of his drum set – the tumbao part. He reasoned, “Why should I limit myself to just playing the conga drum? My feet have nothing to do.

Music industry figures such as Tito Puente Jr., Gregg Bissonette, Luis Conte, Raul Pineda, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Israel Morales, and Al Velasquez paid tribute to De los Reyes.

He leaves behind his spouse, Debbie Bellamy de los Reyes, as well as five children and ten grandchildren. Tragically, his son, the actor Kamar de los Reyes, succumbed to cancer in 2023 at the age of 56.

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2025-09-03 02:01