WALFREDO DE LOS REYES SR.  6/13/1933 – 8/28/2025

THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO WALFREDO.  WE WILL MISS HIM ALWAYS AND REMAIN GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR ALL HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PERCUSSIVE ARTS. 

Walfredo de los Reyes, Sr. was an internationally renowned percussionist and drummer. In addition to his own albums and recordings, he recorded with major artists in Cuba and the United States, such as Tito Puente, Rolando La Serie, Louie Bellson, Cachao, Alex Acuna, Tito Rodriquez, Chico O’Farrill, Jose Fajardo, Linda Ronstadt, and Steve Winwood. 

Working in Las Vegas for many years, Walfredo Sr. backed up superstars Milton Berle, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Rich Little, Bernadette Peters, Rita Moreno, Juliet Prowse, Ben Vereen, and Dionne Warwick, to name only a few. 

Walfredo, Sr. was one of Cuba’s most influential drummers and a pioneers of playing both percussion and drumset simultaneously. His diverse background and experience made him one of the most in-demand clinicians and educators in the country today. Walfredo received recognition/awards including: The Modern Drummer Festival 2005, Sabian Artist Lifetime Achievement Award 2006 (presented by Robert Zildjian), SFjazz, and Drum Magazine Clinician of the Year 2014.  In 2017, Walfredo was the 1st recipient of Gon Bops’ Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Andy Zildjian presenting to Walfredo

 

Here’s an interview we did with Walfredo in 2019 during the video shoot featuring Walfredo’s Signature “El Maestro” Cajon.  A rare interview with him, telling his life story:

 

Here’s a link to our live video show, “Gon Bops Live”, featuring Walfredo and his son, Daniel de los Reyes.  Airdate of this broadcast was November 5th, 2020, in the beginning of Covid, so this is how we ‘got together’, during that crazy time in history.  We’re so glad to have this interview to share with all of you:

Walfredo de los Reyes Sr. and Daniel del los Reyes interview

 

THE BACKSTORY

BORN IN:
Havana, Cuba

LIVES IN:
Concord, CA

DRUMMING SINCE:
1939

CURRENT PROJECT(S):
"A Bigger Beat-An Introduction To Combining Drumset With Hand Percussion To Become A Two-In-One Drummer", by Walfredo Reyes Sr & Elliott Fine. A Life Story On Drumming In The 40 And 50 In Cuba and New York that led to Latin Jazz and Playing Of Today. Clinician For Sabian Cymbals and Gon Bo

THE INSIDE SCOOP

BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S):
Tough One! All the Congueros, Timbaleros, Bongoseros in my country and New York who taught me to play. Many friends and great players from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico; Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Max Roach and my great friend, Mr. Louie Belson, whom I worshiped; Last, not least, Mr. Candido Camero f

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON:
Cuban Jazz!! Recorded in Habana Cuba in the early fifties, under Gema label.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT:
Playing in Las Vegas for 21 years for some of the finest acts of the 70's And 80's; Playing with my sons, Walfredo Jr And Danny…watching what talented players they turned out to be!

THE GON BOPS SKINNY

FAVORITE GON BOPS INSTRUMENT:
Timbales, Hardware, Bells, Cajons and Congas.