Alex Acuña (short): how do composers benefit from working with percussionists? [2023]

Alex Acuña is one of the most active session percussionists in Los Angeles, playing in films, video games, TV, and dates for high-profile recording artists. His specialities in percussion and drumset reside in Latin, South American, Caribbean, African and jazz genres.
For sessions, he’s not only a section percussionist but works as a collaborator on the music team, providing knowledge about the right instruments and sound selection for a wide variety of styles.
A few of the many composers Alex has worked with include Lalo Schifrin, Bill Conti, James Horner, Alan Silvestri, Alexandre Desplat, Dave Grusin, John Debney, Steve Jablonsky, Alan Menken, and Heitor Pereira.
He has been playing drums and percussion since he was three years old, learning with his father and five brothers in Lima, Peru, followed by music school at the San Juan Puerto Rico Conservatory.
Extended version posted here: • Latin percussion legen...