Mendoza was able to impress an august panel of judges, which included notable drummers Adrian Young of No Doubt, Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion, and Ray Luzier of Korn, thereby earning a huge prize package that included $25,000 in cash, a custom kit, endorsement deals from major drum, cymbal, drumhead, and stick companies of his choice, a Roland electronic kit, and much more.

Akira has triggers mounted on every acoustic drum (except for the pair of timbales) and one trigger attached to the red LP Jam Block that he’s kicking with his left foot. Therefore he can strike an acoustic drum (and rim) and activate a triggered sound in addition to the natural acoustic sound. He also has the ability to turn off the trigger thereby muting the electronic sound, so only the acoustic sound of the drum is heard. He does this by striking the (silent) controller pad mounted vertically on his far left. By striking this pad, Akira can scroll or step through various patches or ‘kits” to change sounds on the fly as he plays. Some of those patches or “kits” mute the acoustic drum triggers while changing the sounds on his additional electronic pads mounted on both his left and right. Other patches not only change the pad sounds but also the acoustic drum triggered sounds as well.

To make things further complicated (and interesting!), some patches contain sounds that change pitches with each individual hit – like the 5 note bass line activated by the trigger mounted to his left foot red Jam Block @ 3:16. The challenge there of course is to play those 5 notes in proper time to keep the melody line correct. One kick out of time or adding an extra kick by mistake, and the whole sequence of melodic notes is off.

@ 3:48 Akira turns off all of the triggers and only plays acoustically. Amazingly, he continues to play a clave pattern with his left foot while also straddling the hi-hat pedal and independently opening and closing the hat with that same left foot!

@ 6:11 Akira introduces a remote right foot pedal to kick a cowbell mounted under his floor toms.

Truly a marvel to watch and listen too!

In Lima, Alex also earned a glowing reputation for his live performances. So much so, that at the age of eighteen, Alex was chosen by the great Latin band leader, Perez Prado, to join his big band. It was with the Prado band that Alex first traveled to the United States. In 1967, Alex moved to Puerto Rico to work as a studio musician and play locally. During this period, he also studied for three years at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, playing as a classical percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the famed Spanish cellist master Pablo Casals.

Alex moved to Las Vegas in 1974, where he played with such greats as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. Between 1975 and 1977, he made part of jazz history when he became both drummer and percussionist for one of the most innovative and pioneering jazz groups of our time, Weather Report. He first performed as percussionist (October 1975 to April 1976), and later as drummer (April 1976 to October 1977). He recorded two albums with the group: “Black Market” (1976) and the highly successful “Heavy Weather” (1977), which included the famous tracks “Birdland” and “Havona.” “Heavy Weather” became the first jazz-fusion album to sell a million copies.

Alex next moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1978 where he quickly earned the position of a valued session drummer and percussionist for recordings, television and motion pictures. His countless album credits include such diverse artist as U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Yellow Jackets, Chic Corea, Julio Iglesias, Koinonia, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Placido Domingo, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul and many more. Alex has also performed live with the likes of Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Gipsy Kings, Paco de Lucia, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera and Tito Puente, to name a few. Additionally, Alex has recorded film scores under the direction of Dave Grusin, Alan Silvestri, Michele Legrand, Bill Conti, Michele Colombier, Marvin Hamlish, Maurice Jarre, Mark Isham, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Lalo Schiffrin and others. He became the recipient of many awards and honors including the Emeritus MVP award from NARAS (National Academy of Recording for the Arts and Sciences) and winner of the “Best Latin/Brazilian Percussionist” of Modern Drummer’s Readers Poll for five consecutive years.

Alex’s South American and Caribbean roots and understanding of contemporary and classical music make him a complete and skilled master musician. In 2000, Alex Acuña y Su Acuarela De Tambores received a Grammy nomination for “Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album” for “Rhythms for a New Millennium”. This solo album included varying styles of Latin, South American and African percussion. The nomination confirmed Alex’s vast knowledge and expertise of percussion rhythms. Zan Stewart of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Alex Acuña is the epitome of the world music percussionist, to whom no style is a stranger”. In addition, Alex has composed music for various artists and produced “Thinking of You” by Alex Acuña and the Unknowns, “Rumberos Poetry” by Tolú and “Aliyah” by Kay Silberling. This year will also see the release of Tolú’s “Bongo de Van Gogh,” the Unknowns follow-up album, and several projects for NIDO Entertainment.

Alex is widely known as an educator, gifted teacher and clinician of drums and percussion. He has recorded four solo instructional videos and provides seminars at universities such as UC Los Angeles, Berklee School of Music in Boston and other top international schools of music. DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Gon Bops Percussion, Gibraltar, Vic Firth, Evans and Shure microphones all sponsor Alex. He is also credited with the design of Zildjian’s “Azuka” line of cymbals, signature Vic Firth sticks and the caddy stick bag, the Alex Acuña signature line of congas, bongos, timbales, cajons, and bells from Gon Bops Percussion.

Innovation, energy and pure heart characterize Alex’s playing. It is easy to see why Alex Acuña is one of the most sought after musicians of our time. Alex recognizes his music as a gift from the Lord and gives all the glory to God!

At six months old, he would climb up on the large lounge chair positioned directly in front of his father’s drum set and would watch him practice, intensely. Whenever his father took a break, he would crawl over and press the foot pedals and attempt to emulate his dad. That experience, and banging on pots and pans, was the extent of his playing until he began formal training at the age of three.

Today, Marvin “Smitty” Smith is a young musician extraordinaire whose work has been described as a “comment on invention, firm and adventurous time and technical sufficiency.” He has traveled extensively throughout the Orient, Europe, and the continental USA; and he has shared the stage with such greats as Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Frank Foster and Frank Wess, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, and Milt Jackson. He is a former member of the Ron Carter Quartet, The New York Jazz Quartet, and The Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet.

Featured on more than 45 albums, additional performances and recordings augmented with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, Ray Brown and Phineas Newborn, George Shearing, Bobby Watson, Hamiet Bluiett, Branford Marsalis, David Murray, Emily Remler, Peter Leicht, Kevin Eubanks, Donald Byrd, Monty Alexander, Diane Reeves, Michel Camilo, and Grover Washington Jr. Currently he’s a member of Steve Coleman’s Five Elements, and The Dave Holland Quartet. Smitty conducts seminars and clinics for students in jazz workshops, both in the United States and Europe; and is currently on staff of jazz program at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada, and Drummers Collective, New York City.

Smitty has been Downbeat Critics’ Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmaker Spike Lee’s “School Daze”, appeared in Sonny Rollins’ music video “Saxophone Colossus”, and a member of Sting’s “Nothing Like the Sun” South American tour, 1987. Regarded as a well rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, Marvin “Smitty” Smith is a blossoming composer and arranger, and his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versitile drummer, there seems to be nothing be cannot do. It’s been said that he is the “John Coltrane of the drums..”

Dave grew up in Texas banging on his dad’s tackle boxes in the early days. He dropped out of high school at an early age and began to focus on playing more than ever. Along the way he formed a band with his buddies called Dr. Tongue. In 1991 Dave got a call from drummer friend Matt Chamberlain, whom Dave knew through the Texas music scene, in regards to filling in for him in the band Pearl Jam when he left. Chamberlain had his eyes set on G.E. Smith’s band on Saturday Night Live. Dave left for Seattle to meet and become acquainted with Pearl Jam. Although his musical tastes were far diverse from Pearl Jam, Dave chose to fill the hot seat behind a DW drum kit on August 23, 1991.

Dave played with Pearl Jam through April 17, 1994, playing on both the Vs. and Vitalogy albums, as well as performing on MTV’s Unplugged, two Saturday Night Live’s, the ‘Even Flow’ video, as well as extensive touring for both the “Ten” and “Vs.” albums.

Although Dave performed on the album “Vitalogy,” he was fired before it was released.

On September 30, 1997 Dave’s newly formed band, the Green Romance Orchestra, released “Play Parts I & V.” The album saw Dave bringing his own songs to the drawing board, as well as playing the role of a producer. “Play Parts I & V,” is a release of Free Association Records, which was formed by Dave in 1996. To read more about Free Association Records, please go to the Free Associations Records Official Site.

Afterward, Abbruzzese worked with HairyApesBMX. He mixed, produced, and engineered the band’s 2000 album, Out Demons. Abbruzzese also lent the band a hand behind his drum kit on its Midwestern tour.

DRUMMERWORLD BIO – Marvin McQuitty is no stranger to the music industry. What began as mimicking his father on drums at the age of 3, blossomed into what Marvin was destined to do . . . play.He is the quintessential drummer and is passionate about playing. His talent, playing ability and multiple styles can be summarized in 3 simple words, power, accuracy and finesse. Marvin’s skills on the drum have been heralded as supernatural yielding incredible control with uncanny musicality and sensitivity.

Marvin has made his mark in the industry as a solid, versatile, and trend setting drummer. Over the course of his career he has accompanied virtually every major artist in contemporary gospel. He has had the opportunity to work with Albertina Walker, Alex Acuna, Angie & Debbie Winans , Ben Tankard, Bryon Cage, Canton Spirituals, CeCe Winans, Commissioned, Dawkins & Dawkins, DeLeon, Donnie McClurkin, Dorinda Clark Cole, Dottie Peoples, Esther Smith, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Israel & New Breed, Joann Rosario, Judy Jacobs, Kieara Sheard, Kim Burrell, Kirk Franklin, Krystal Harris, Kurt Carr, Martha Munizzi, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Men of Standard, Phil Driscoll, Ricardo Sanchez, Rizen, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, The Singletons, The Winans, Tim Bowman, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Vicki Yohe, Vickie Winans, Williams Brothers, Witness, and Yolanda Adams.

His sound both in-studio and live has placed him in high demand. As a versatile drummer, playing all styles, he has also worked with Mario Winans, Jessica Simpson, Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child, Sheila E., and Gerald Albright. Not one to rest on past accomplishments, Marvin has added booking manager and the production cap to his cache of skills. Currently he is booking for Israel and New Breed, and still finds time to produce local and national artists. Marvin is living his dreams, walking in his purpose and affecting the lives of thousands with his spiritual inspiration and affinity for God.

Percussionist Chris Fehn, from the iconic metal band Slipknot, is one of the latest to enjoy the soft security offered by Protection Rackets tough lightweight cases. Drumming legend, Clem Burke with a long and varied career, which includes Blondie, Bob Dylan and the Eurythmics, also joins this roster of world-class drummers. Then there is Richard Jupp from the well-established English rock band Elbow, Dane Campbell with the up and coming Welsh punk rockers, Straight Lines, and American session drummer Todd Demma currently playing with Avril Lavigne.

With Protection Racket’s universal appeal to drummers of all genres they have also signed drummer Chris Bond who plays with critically acclaimed acoustic singer/songwriter Ben Howard, whose album last year reached the top 10 in the UK charts and has since gone global. Also joining the artist list are Luke Harris and Jesse Grant – who play with Wretch 32 and Devlin respectively, both part of the Grime Collective rap scene. Last but not least is the accomplished music professional, Mike Pitman of the groove based metal band Xerath.

These new endorsees join a top-notch roster of globally renowned drummers including Abe Laboriel (Paul McCartney), Ian Matthews (Kasabian) and Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers). They, like many other drummers feel safe in the knowledge that they have some of the most uncompromising protection for their precious kits.

To find out more about the Protection Racket range and their endorsees please visit http://www.protectionracket.co.uk/index.asp