Walfredo de los Reyes Sr., Cuban Percussion Legend and Father of Music Stars, Dies at 92
The music world is mourning the loss of Walfredo de los Reyes Sr., the Cuban-born percussionist who spent more than six decades redefining rhythm and inspiring generations of musicians.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, He died Thursday in Concord, California, at the age of 92, his family confirmed.
Born in Havana on June 16, 1933, de los Reyes came from a long line of musicians. His father, trumpeter Walfredo de los Reyes II, helped shape Cuban music in the 1930s with the Casino de la Playa orchestra, a group that fused Afro-Cuban beats with American big band sounds.
Carrying on that legacy, de los Reyes Sr. created his own groundbreaking style by blending traditional hand percussion with the modern drum set — a technique that influenced countless drummers around the world.
Throughout his career, he played with an all-star lineup of performers including Frank Sinatra, Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, Sammy Davis Jr., and Debbie Reynolds. He also became a fixture on the Las Vegas stage, where his talent and charisma made him a favorite among entertainers and audiences alike.
His love for music carried through his family. Two of his sons, Walfredo Jr. and Daniel, continue his legacy as percussionists with Chicago and the Zac Brown Band. His granddaughter, Lilliana, is a vocalist and percussionist currently touring with George Benson.
Another son, actor Kamar de los Reyes — beloved for his role on One Life to Live and appearances in Call of Duty video games — passed away in December 2023 after a brief battle with cancer.
De los Reyes’ influence extended beyond the stage. As an educator, he shared his knowledge with younger musicians and earned recognition such as the Gon Bops Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. His story was also preserved in the NAMM Oral History Program through a 2011 interview.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, his children, and many grandchildren. The family said his “rhythm, joy and spirit will live on,” with details about a celebration of life to be announced soon.
