VIC FIRTH ARTIST
VICTOR RENDÓN

Drummer/percussionist/educator/composer/arranger, Victor Rendón, of Mexican-American descent, is a sought after New York City musician who has worked with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Ray Santos, Grupo Caribe, The Latin Jazz Coalition, The "New" Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Los Más Valientes, Grupo Latin Vibe, Rudy Calzado’s Cubarama, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and many others. He currently performs with the much acclaimed salsa group, Grupo Latin Vibe as well as his own group, Blue Mambo. Mr. Rendón currently teaches at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he co-leads the Latin Jazz Ensemble with his long-time colleague, Armando Rodriguez.

As an author/transcriber, Rendón's work has appeared in Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Percussive Notes, Drumfiles, DCI Music Video, RRR Education Newsletter (Reading-Writing-Rhythm) by LP, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is author of The Art of Playing Timbales published by Music in Motion Films and is former publisher of his own semi-annual magazine called The Latin Percussionist.

Rendón holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Texas and has taught instrumental music and Latin percussion classes in the New York Public School system and at the Boy’s Harbor Performing Arts Center. He has also conducted clinics/workshops for the Department of Education in New York City, PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), Global Praise at Princeton University, and the Eddie Ming Drum School in Bermuda among other events. He is also on the LP’s Educational Team at LP Music. Victor endorses LP Percussion instruments and Vic Firth drumsticks, Evans drumheads and Sabian cymbals.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
PASIC 2009 CLINIC: "Afro-Caribbean Rhythms"
                       With guests Guillermo “Memo” Acevedo and Henry Brun

In this clinic, Victor (along with guests Guillermo "Memo" Acevedo and Henry Brun) break down a few of the most popular Afro-Caribbean rhythms: The Mozambique, Cumbia and Bembe 6/8. Also assisting were percussionists Yasuyo Kimura and Cascadu. Learn about the history of each rhythm, artists who influenced the style, the instruments within the traditional ensemble, as well as applications within modern ensemble settings!

Click HERE to download a copy of Victors's clinic handout
 VIDEO 1: Mozambique
     © Photos provided courtesy of Martin Cohen • congahead.com
HIGH QUALITY
MEDIUM QUALITY
 VIDEO 2: Cumbia - Colombia
HIGH QUALITY
MEDIUM QUALITY
 VIDEO 3: Bembe 6/8 - Cuba
     © Photos provided courtesy of Kabiosile.org
HIGH QUALITY
MEDIUM QUALITY
 VIDEO 4: Performance of all 3 styles
HIGH QUALITY
MEDIUM QUALITY


Victor Rendón's Vic Firth Stick of Choice:
Alex Acuña Conquistador (SAA)
Alex Acuña's timbale sticks are designed to provide optimum response on timbales and cymbals. In hickory.
L = 16" | Dia. = .440"  [enlarge photo]



Check out Victor's best selling book on playing timbales!

The Art of Playing Timbales is designed for the beginning timbalero, or drumset player, who wants to understand how to play Afro-Cuban music in a professional setting. If you have just purchased a pair of timbales, this book will teach you everything from proper setup, stick sizes, rhythms, independence, transitions, song forms, and SOLOING. Each music example has a corresponding track number which can be found on the CD. Simply read the music exercises, and listen to the corresponding track number on your CD player.

A complete Afro-Cuban percussion work-out. Each exercise on timbales is also arranged for drumset. Conga and bongo students will find their parts in each section of the book and CD.

Each section features play-along CHARTS and CD TRACKS with some of NY's top Latino musicians: Sergio Rivera (piano), Victor Venegas (bass), Heriberto Rivera (bongo), "Tito" Rivera (congas), and Victor Rendón (timbales and drumset). By using these play-along charts you will gain valuable realistic playing experience that will directly translate to your school ensemble or professional group.

Art of Playing Timables
buy now

"Victor Rendón has done the improbable: He has made it possible for a wide range of drummer/percussionists to approach the art of timbales without fear of failure. Rendón breaks down the daunting clave structure so that we all can relate, and demonstrates how the instruments of the Afro-Cuban percussion section (timbales, congas, bongos, and sometimes drumset) function as a unit. Learning to play timbales (or to emulate their rhythms on drumset) makes any drummer more valuable on the bandstand, and Rendón's instructional method is as clear as it's going to get.

The author's clarity in presentation is further enriched by his discussion of the evolution of Latin rhythms and instruments, and by his richly detailed interviews with master timbaleros. Victor Rendón has worked with giants like Mongo Santamaria and Patato Valdes, and has taught music for years within the New York community, and now he's authored the most authoritative book on the "original" Latin drumkit. Viva timbales!"

      --Modern Drummer Magazine

Art of Playing Timables
buy now

If you love Latin music, you should definitely check out Victor's latest recording!

FIESTA PERCUSIVA is a celebration of percussion in a variety of styles from the Caribbean and South America. Led and produced by drummer/percussionist, Victor Rendón, the percussive pieces explore the cultures of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and other Latino influences.

 

For up to date recording, clinic and touring info, go to:

http://www.victorrendón.com


 




translate