Alex Acuña

Alex Acuña

Originally from Lima, Peru, Alex Acuña permanently settled in the United States in 1974. He initially found work in Las Vegas performing for such well-known artists as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. He later joined Weather Report and other well-known group members Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, and Manolo Badrena. They recorded their hugely successful album Heavy Weather, which won the group members’ induction into the 2011 Grammy Hall of Fame and is one of only five jazz albums to go platinum. Acuña played both drumset and percussion with Weather Report, leaving in 1978 for a busy career of studio work. His countless album credits include work with such diverse artists as U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Jay Z, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Joe Cocker, The Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Christina Aguilera, James Taylor, and Herbie Hancock. Acuña has been the recipient of many awards and honors including the Emeritus MVP award from NARAS (National Academy of Recording for the Arts and Sciences).