Alex Acuna

  • Tue, 12/01/2009 - 17:27

My Complete name is Alejandro Neciosup Acuña

Artist name; Alex Acuña

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself (background, age, family, education, only what you want people to know about you)?

I was Born in Lima – Peru, South America. From a family of 11 children and I’m the number 10th. Music was always played in my home because my father was a music teacher and taught my five brothers how to play many different musical instruments. I started to play drums and percussion when I was 4 years of age, right now I’m 64 years of age, I started to play professionally at 10th years of age and recording albums at 16th years of age in my country.
I have been living here in the USA since 1964. I only went to school through 5th grade so life has been my main source of learning every thing I know, Every day is a learning process for me and I still keep educating myself by reading a lot, My favorite book is the Bible and I read it in in 2 different languages, English and spanish.

2. What is your history in drumming? (Bands / artists, albums, tours, concerts, churches)

My musical history is very extensive; I have been very blessed by being born into the Peruvian culture and music. I also studied Music when I was living in san Juan Puerto Rico at the Conservatory. Now I’m Living in California and am still always studying and learning from the greatest musicians that I play with on recording sessions, concerts, etc. My history is huge but would like to mention some of the artists I had the priveledge to play with - Weather Report, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, U2, Elvis, Withney Houston, Celia Cruz, Pablo Casals, etc… recorded on more than 4,000 albums, played around the world in many of the greates halls, e.g..Vienna’s Concert Husset, NY’s Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City, The Odeon and The Barbican in London, also played with the London Symphony Orchestra. I also have played on more than 300 movie sound tracks with the greatest composers of this century, to name a few, John Williams, Lalo Schifrin, Dave Grusin, james Newton Howard, John Powell, Michael Giachino who just did the Oscars live from Hollywood a couple of weeks ago, I’ve also played in many Churches all over the world since I became a Born Again Christian, including the church where I’ve been a member for the last 30 years in California, THE CHURCH ON THE WAY.

3. What did you or do you practice for drums / percussion?

I like to practice every day, especially the piano, because it is the best percussion instrument there is. I also play the marimba, all the hand percussions and the drums as well. I practice with a very relaxed approach to every instrument, always keeping in mind and in my heart to make music with my instruments without thinking about competition, but worshiping GOD. He is Music to me, I like to practice rhythms from all over the world, sight reading music sheets and books to stay in the game with my profession and always looking to imrpove and to discover new ways and new sounds. I like staying fresh and current, because I love the art, it is a wonderful gift. I love to keep shinning it with all my love, honoring it with perseverance and keeping a tight discipline without taking it for granted.

4. Is there any particular drum, percussion and cymbal brand you play with?

I’m sponsored by all these companies where I also create and design some of the instruments and sounds; DW drums, GonBops Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Shure Microphones, Evan heads, Line 6 electronics.

5. How are you at this point involved in church or in any other events, ministry, bands / artists – related to your drumming?

I’m a minister of the word of GOD wherever I go, whatever I’m doing. I’ve gone to places including, Athens – Greece, Budapest – Hungary, San Juan – PR, Lima – Peru. Cali Colombia, Mexico and many other places sharing my music and my faith. The WORD of GOD and the gift of music he gave me go hand in hand. I have been ministering with myt family and also at the Drummers for Jesus events in Texas USA. This is just to mention a few of the many oportunities that I’ve been priveledged to participate in.
Currently preparing a latin Gospel CD with my own compositions.
When I’m invited to do clinics or music seminars, I like to share JESUS, of course when The holy Spirit leads me. I teach at my home to students that would like to better their musical lives and would like to go to the next level in their playing, I also will be teaching on the Drum Channel - it will be a new cybernet schooling for drums and percussion. I do like to play The jazz Festivals, especially in Europe, because I feel the appreciation for the kind of music I play which is Jazz. Check this web: it is a new trio with great musicians from Norway, a CD will be coming out very soon. http://www.myspace.com/acunahoffmathisen
You can go to my alex acuna on myspace to see all my upcoming dates. (http://www.myspace.com/alexacunamusic)

6. What advice would you give to young drummers who are serving or intend to serve in the worship department?

My advice to the young drummers and to all christian musicians would be to pursue a music education to the max, to be able to exalt the most high our LORD JESUS with excellence and to give Him the best of our talents, while we still are here on this dot called earth. Read the Word at all times, pray at all times - worship is a life style;
(psalms 1:1-3)
(psalms 1:150)

7. We all know that it takes talent and practice for a drummer to succeed(make progess). Is there anything else you want to add to that?

When playing in any job and maybe not a Christian one, prepare and commit to the job with respect and joy, So we can honor and glorify JESUS before men, and if possible, confess him before men so he can also confess us before our father in heaven!!!! Practice, pray, practice, pray, practice, pray at all times, without ceasing, steadfast in prayers at all times. Steadfast in playing at all times too’. Listen to and be inspired by master musicians and learn what is good, test all the spirits. Sometimes christian musicians can be over “religious” and judge a lot, when they see us performing and working with non -christians or playing in secular situations. But I believe as long as you stand strong in the Lord and are a light in darkness the Lord will use you in those situations. I would also say that there can be problems when a christian musician has not being baptized with the fullness of the holy spirit of the living GOD. We have to be able to obtain the fear of GOD in our mind, soul and heart and love JESUS with all our minds, our hearts and our soul as well. That way we can stand strong against temptations and be a good ambassador of the Gospel of Christ.
Whe we are among gentiles, or jews or any other kind of people be with in a way that will bring them to GOD’s powerful and wonderful Kingdom, Without judging them, but really loving them with the perfect love of JESUS.

8. Considering your experience, what advice would you give to the Romanian Christian drummers (those who play in a church or in a band)?

Always offer your worship to God in every way, play from your heart, because this is the only way the holy spirit will touch someone out there. Glorify him with your musical talent. Remember always that GOD is the real audience and will be listenning to your heart when you play. Do not let pride get in the way of anything you do. Pride is really where the enemy attacks most worshipers and can destroy your walk and any ability you may have to minister to people with your instrument. Pride taints your offering of worship. You end up trying to glorify yourselves instead of GOD.

9. Do you have any other hobby, besides drums, music? How do you like to spend your spear(free) time?

Yes I like to spend lots of my free times with my wife, we’re very proud of our 5 children and also with our 5 grand children. We love to spend time with the family and see movies, especially the ones I play on, (Transformers, Ratatouille, mr and ms smith, the Incredibles, Star Treak, “Up”, Wolvering, happy Feet, Beverly Hills Chiguagua, to name a few.) we like to bike and sometimes I still play soccer , we go to the Gym at least 3 time a week, love to Jog and practice martial arts.

10. Any books, tapes, DVD’s you have out for sale?

Yes you can go to ITUNES I have 2 Cds for sale, “No Accent” AA & The Unknowns - “Los Hijos del Sol” Alex Acuna.
My percussion DVD can be bought on these companies: www.Dwdrums.com, www.gonbopspercussion.com

11. Lastly, any message to the Christian Romanian drummers?

Okay I think I already shared a lot of things, but please remember to stay strong and annointed and always share your faith sometimes even using words, with the power of the holy spirit….pray a lot and keep persevering in the FAITH. Believe that God is going to fulfill your visions, your dreams and the desires of your heart. (Habaccuc 2:2-3) Always stay in fellowship with other strong believers, praying with and for each other, holding each other accountable, remember no one is a “long Ranger” Finally never forget where your gift comes from.

Blessings. –aa.

... extra questions ...

y. If it would be to choose between drums or percussion, or to be a drummer or percussionist, what would you choose? ;o)

I LIKE TO PLAY MUSIC, WITH ANY OINSTRUMENT, WE ARE THE INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE, THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT WILL ONLY COME TO LIFE WHEN WE PLAY THEM. I LIKE TO PLAY EVERY THING TOGETHER DRUMS AND PERCUSSION.

z. Are there any artists that you had to refuse / turn down, because of your christian belief and/or principles?

BEFORE I MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT WHO TO PLAY WITH OR COMPROMISE MYSELF TO WORK...I DO PRAY WITH MY WIFE AND LOOK FOR GOD'S ANSWERS. ALL THE TIMES OF MY LIFE SINCE I BECAME A CHRISTIAN. (MATHEW 7:7-8 BUT THIS ONE IS THE NEXT ONE I ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN I GO TO DO A SECULAR JOB; (ROMANS 5:20-21)

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