Memo Acevedo

Memo Acevedo is a New York City drummer, percussionist, composer and a highly in-demand educator. He pioneered Colombia and Spain’s Rock music scene from his mid-teens to early twenties. A self-taught musician, his passion for Jazz and Latin music compelled him to take it as a serious object of study after leaving Colombia. Having lived in Spain, Mexico, Canada and the United States has given Memo vast experience in all styles of music.

In January of 1996, Memo moved to NYC where he has recorded and performed with the late greats Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Gregory Hines and Joe Cuba; Jazz masters Mark Murphy, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and numerous artists like Crystal Bowersox, Angelique Kidjo, Joss Stone and Cuban bands Klimax and Irakere among others. He has also performed in Broadway shows “The Lion King” and “Civil War.”

Memo taught at NYU (1997 to 2011), where he directed the “Batucada”, Latin/Brazilian Jazz and Afro-Cuban Ensembles, and taught private lessons on drum set and percussion. He is the co-author of the Drummers Collective book “Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian Drumming” where he’s been teaching since 1997. 

While living in Canada, Memo pioneered the Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz scene in Toronto, with live performances, TV, Radio, recordings and educational programs, most notably at Toronto’s Humber College (10 yrs). His self-produced CD “Building Bridges” (Concord) features mentor Tito Puente, Dave Valentin and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Accolades include a Juno Award, an Ad’s Award, Two Jazz Report Percussionist of the year, a KoSA Lifetime Achievement award, a PAS President’s award and the Cuban Ministry of Culture’s GITANA award.