Alex Acuña ranks among the most recorded and respected drummer-percussionists in modern music, with a career that bridges jazz fusion, Latin music, pop sessions, and major live touring at the highest level. His playing combines deep Latin foundation with studio-level precision, which is why he’s been trusted in both improvising bands and tightly produced pop settings.
Born in Lima, Peru, Acuña was already working professionally as a child and later moved to the U.S., where his career expanded quickly into major international work. He became globally known through Weather Report in the mid-1970s, appearing on landmark fusion albums including Black Market and Heavy Weather. When Acuña joined Weather Report, he entered during one of the band’s most important transitions and helped shape their most famous era. He played alongside the group’s core leaders Joe Zawinul (keyboards) and Wayne Shorter (sax), and he entered at the same time as bassist Jaco Pastorius—forming one of the most celebrated rhythm sections in fusion. Acuña’s first Weather Report album was Black Market (1976), a transition record that features more than one drummer: Chester Thompson plays on some tracks, while Acuña plays on others as the band shifts into its new lineup. With Acuña in place, Weather Report moved fully into the Heavy Weather (1977) era—the classic lineup most fans associate with the band: Zawinul, Shorter, Pastorius, and Acuña (with added percussion colors often in the group’s orbit, including Manolo Badrena).
Beyond jazz fusion, Acuña’s résumé includes major artist work across decades—an artist profile from Gon Bops highlights his career high point as performing percussion with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas (1973–1975), and the same profile lists Heavy Weather as his favorite album he played on. He has also become widely recognized as an educator and clinician with long-running clinic involvement.
Recent activity: Drum Channel published a major feature/interview with Acuña in May 2025 (“Playing with Legends from Elvis to Weather Report”), reflecting continued visibility and ongoing educational/media projects tied to his legacy and current work.
Gear: DW; Zildjian; Gon Bops; Vic Firth; Evans; Shure.
Sources: Drum Channel; All About Jazz; Gon Bops (artist profile); Vic Firth (artist profile); Percussive Arts Society (PASIC 2018 archive).
Update: January 23, 2026
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