DRUMMER, TIMBALERO, PERCUSSIONIST, BANDLEADER

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Drummer/percussionist/educator/composer/arranger, Victor Rendón, of Mexican-American descent, is a sought after New York City musician who has released two CD’s as co-leader of The Latin Jazz Orchestra and 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 is also author of The Art of Playing Timbales published by Music in Motion Films and 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, Rendon'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.

As an educator, Rendón currently conducts the Latin Jazz Ensemble at Lehman College. He 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 2000 (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.

VICTOR RENDON - FIESTA PERCUSIVA (2008)

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

Reseña por Roberto Carlos Lujan

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1. Mozambique: Features Tito “Anibal” Rivera on congas & Victor Rendón on timbales to a solid Mozambique reminiscent of the 60’s and 70’s.
2. Bomba en Nueva York: An original composition by Tito “Anibal” Rivera featuring Louis Bauzo on the barriles – primo & buleador
3. Afro Blue: An arrangement of the classic Mongo Santamaría tune featuring three marimbas, bembe percussion, batá, and flute.
4. Juego de Quijadas: An original haunting percussive piece by Victor featuring eight “quijadas de burro” (donkey jawbones), vibraslap, temple blocks, and wooden agogo.
5. Fiesta Percusiva: An original quasi classical-Afro Cuban percussion piece featuring timbales, drumset, timpani, vibes, gong, tambourine, etc.
6. Soy Chicano: A multicultural poetic reading set to a bluesy cha cha chá with percussion solos.
7. Funky Cumbia: Memo Acevedo and Pablo Mayor from Colombia join the group in this piece for an authentic cumbia with a twist of funk.
8. Batá: Orú Seco para Elegua, Ogún, Ochosi: Homage to the first three orishas of the oru played by Roman Diaz, Diego Lopez, & Victor.
9. La Llorona: A traditional “vals” played with three marimbas, guitar, bass, and drumset in the style of Chiapas, Mexico.
10. In The Pocket: A guaguanco backing up the poetic voice of Pazcual Villaronga.
11. Por La Mañana: This piece features three marimbas, vibes, congas, bongos, and timbales.
12. Palmadas Para Aztlán: A percussive piece comprising of various handclap rhythms and one tumbadora.

BLUE MAMBO - BLUE MAMBO (2008)

A driving two horn Latin-Jazz group with a commercial sound lead by guitarist Charles Alletto and drummer Victor Rendón. The ensemble brings a group of veteran musicians with a wide variety of experience in the field.

Charles Alletto Co-leader, guitar
Victor Rendon Co-leader, drums, timbales, temple blocks, quijada, handbell, clave, triangle, bata drums
Guido Gonzalez Trumpet, flugelhorn
Al Acosta Tenor sax, flute, soprano sax
Joe Manozzi Keyboard
Solo Rodriguez Bass
Yasuyo Kimura Congas, shaker, agogo bell, shekere, guiro

review by Paul J. Youngman

review by Pietro Carbognani

review by Chip Boaz

review by Rudy Mangual

review by Peter Watrous

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels