9/06

Wallys' new myspace page! www.myspace.com/walfredoreyesjrmusic

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3/06

Hello dear friends and family! My instructional DVD finally came out. You can go to www.musicdispatch.com to get it. Click my name or the title on "search" and they will show you how to get it. Also www.halleonard.com has a long list of stores near you where you can also purchase it or order it if you are a dealer. I hope you enjoy it!! There will be more info on my website very soon about the contents of the DVD and all kinds of stories. Hope to hear from you with questions and comments!

Thanks for your support! Wally

Series: DVD
Artist: Walfredo Reyes, Jr.
Musicians:
Alphonso Johnson - Bass
Armand Sabal-Lecco - Bass
Kevin Ricard - Percussion
Daniel de los Reyes - Percussion
Ramon Stagnaro - Guitar
Katisse Buckingham - Sax and Flute
Roger Burn - Keyboards

In this information-packed DVD, virtuoso drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. shows you how to combine rock drumming techniques with a wide range of African, Caribbean and South American percussion sounds to create an integrated global drumming style. Through inspirational live performances and detailed, step-by-step analysis, Walfredo shows you how to: develop a "split brain" style combining right-hand rock beats with left-hand global percussion • understand and play a variety of intricate global beats • integrate drumset with percussion instruments. Walfredo's down-to-earth teaching style offers easy-to-understand explanations and methodical demonstrations of each rhythm, and the accompanying booklet includes notated versions for added clarity. 1 hour, 56 minutes.

$24.95 (US)
Inventory # HL 00320455
ISBN: 0634087282
UPC: 73999204551

www.halleonard.com

10/05

Catch Walfredo on the two latest dvds out by Steve Winwood & Traffic:

available at: cduniverse.com

6/14/03

Interview by David Hardy with Walfredo Reyes, Jr.
Start of tour with Steve Winwood

David Hardy: Thanks for taking a moment to talk with me again. You have quite a busy schedule for the next two Months. You'll be doing over 30 shows including Japan, Europe, Bonnaroo Festival, seven shows with The Dead, T.V. and Radio appearances, and then in August you’ll also start doing shows with David Lindley & El Rayo-X. With that bit of perspective being made, let me say this is going to be a great summer to see you play some truly amazing shows.

David: Yesterday was the first rehearsal before the tour, and this morning you performed on the Today Show. Tell me how that felt.

Wally: Well, it always feels great to rehearse Steve's music. We had to edit the songs we played on the Today Show, like on any other TV show, they have to be shorter than the live performances. We are opening for The Dead, so we want to have enough songs so we don't repeat the same songs in every show.

David: I’m not going to guess how many songs, but I’ll guess that it’s a lot. I’m really looking forward to hearing the mix of both early and newer songs of Steve’s, along with songs from the new CD. Are you using any type of format for the shows?

Wally: Not really. Steve makes up the set list before the show and we just play.

David: Usually when I see you play, you use your white drum kit and assorted gems from your cymbal collection, as well as other percussion. What are you using this tour?

Wally: I am basically using an Orion Mapex Drum kit, Sabian cymbals, LP percussion, Remo drumheads and Regal Tip sticks. All these companies have ALL the goodies and toys to create great grooves. They are very supportive of me on tours.

David: Since the Steve Winwood and David Lindley shows are so close together, I'd guess that the drum kit you'll use with Winwood will be in cartage when the Lindley shows start. Are you going to use a different drumset when you do the Lindley shows?

Wally: I have different drumsets for these kinds of situations. Mapex Drums provides me with drumsets in different countries also, thank God. For example I will play on July 27 at the Fuji Festival in Japan, (3 hours from Tokyo) and the next day I fly to L.A. and rehearse with Lindley! As far as the musical equipment, my theory is; let the music dictate your set up, let the music ask you for what it needs.

David: You are known for bringing a lot of joy to your playing. What is it like to be the only non observer of that?

Wally: Maybe that's because I feel the Joy! I am lucky & blessed to be able to play music. I must say that I have learned from my Father to be a professional musician, meaning that no matter how you feel inside, or what has happened to you in your personal life... the worst you should play is always good! When it’s great, that's even better. You should always be consistent and give out your best, and not let anything come and block your musical performance. The people come to hear you play, not moan and whine about your personal life and hear you play bad, even if you are not feeling your best. So, sometimes even if I am sick, I will be smiling and playing with lots of joy, and the music does take over in a healing way.

David: So, by rising above personal pain, and giving joy through music, heals you as well as the audience?

Wally: Absolutely! Music is an exchange of energy, band with the audience, musician to musician, and when you are playing by yourself you draw from your emotions and energy of your memories, ‘cause this influences you at that particular time of performance.

David: People see you as an easy to identify drummer, perhaps because one of your signature emotional traits is “fun” in your playing. Is there an emotional difference between playing live and working in the studio?

Wally: I think that when I am playing in front of an audience there's more of a performance element than when you are recording and there is no audience. I just try to emit the emotion that it's needed of me from the music. If it's dance & fun, then that's where I am going 100%, but if I have to play something angry or sad or a love song... then I will emit those emotions from the drumset. The drumset is not just the tempo & beat maker, it's part of the whole music mood.

David: I can’t think of many drummers who can get an audience anywhere in the world to have such close emotional involvement. I’ve seen you play large venues in lots of countries, and during your solo you can get a unified “hey!” from the audience when you throw your arms up. It’s amazing, it transcends all language and culture.

Wally: Thank You. That's the ultimate compliment. I’d rather hear "I had a great time tonight at the concert”, rather than "ah, it was ok, but that drummer had chops".

David: Do you have plans to do anything besides playing gigs when you go to Japan or Europe?

Wally: When you are on tour there is not much time for anything other than travel, soundcheck and perform. It's a tight tour, not too much time to sight see and party. We came, we played, we went!

David: As the summer goes on, you’ll go right from a tour with Steve Winwood to touring with David Lindley & El Rayo-X, two very distinctive bands. Of all the things that you’ll do in the next two months, is there any single thing you’re looking forward to doing?

Wally: I am used to doing many different kinds of music styles. Going from one style to another... for me it's fun! It's like eating in a French gourmet restaurant today, and sushi tomorrow, and stopping for a hamburger a few days from now. Variety is great for a diet! It makes my heart happy and grateful. Each music style has a history behind it. People, culture, different eras, attitudes, pain, laughter... they are all different entities. I am looking forward to all these tours, then getting to L.A. to try to finish music for my C.D. that I have put on the back burner for a long time, and spending time with my children.

David: Let’s come back to El Rayo-X in a moment. Speaking of your kids, are they all musicians? I’ll never forget a show at the Greek Theater, and your son Joseph was sitting in a chair behind the drum riser, watching you and drumming along with the band on the padded seat of another chair. That’s not odd, but he couldn’t have been any older than three at the time.

Wally: My 13 year old son Joseph has been playing drums since he was two. Now he is playing bass. He's into Punk Rock. My 12 year old daughter Lilliana is an amazing singer and she is starting piano lessons, voice lessons, and she also plays flute. My younger son Gabriel, 8, is into animals and wants to be a zoologist but his talent for singing in perfect pitch and remembering lyrics is undeniable. He wants to start taking guitar lessons. I am really proud of them, and of course while I am doing all this touring, the medal has to go to their mother that takes them to all these music lessons!

David: David Lindley and El Rayo-X was arguably one of the best party bands of all time, it's an over-due reunion.

Wally: Yes, it's a long overdue reunion and it's going to be great. I got a call to put the band back together and play some concerts with David Lindley y El Rayo-X in August and September when I have a break from touring with Steve. This worked out great. I already rehearsed with Lindley and it was just like playing back in 1988, the music played itself. Of course, Smitty on B3 organ, passed away. Ian McLagan will be playing with us. I can't wait!

David: What a great choice, Wally, he's an amazing keyboardist. He’s played with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Faces (and Small Faces), Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, Carly Simon, and a hundred other great artists on albums now known as ‘classic’ or ‘timeless’. That’s going to be a real treat!

Wally: And he is a funny and very humble musician too!

David: Do you anticipate any jams with The Dead this summer?

Wally: Every night we jam with each other's band! We sit in with them & they sit in with us. They are so much fun to tour with... it's like a bunch of children in a playground!

David: I know part of the fun of a tour is seeing friends who are touring too. Are you expecting to see some friends on the road this summer?

Wally: Always you will bump into other bands while on tour. Sometimes at Music Festivals there are many of the same bands staying in the same hotel so it can get very festive!

David: In July you’re playing in Italy at a club with a 1,500 person capacity. That’s going to be filled with some very fortunate music lovers. Are there any club dates in the U.S.?

Wally: With Steve we will be doing from clubs (House of Blues) to huge Festivals, and in September we will do theater venues.

David: Your first Lindley show is August 2 and you're opening for Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. To date, this remains the only west coast show they’ll play. Have you played with them before?

Wally: No I haven't. Roxy Music is a great band... Avalon... I love that song.

David: It’s going to be an amazing tour. Next time we’ll talk more about the tour, the jams with other bands, and what’s new in Wally World.

David Hardy is former personal assistant to Carlos Santana, and a twenty-year veteran of the music industry.

David Hardy - Hanging with Dave 2003

4/9/03

Interview By David Hardy
with Walfredo Reyes, Jr., Recording and
Touring drummer with Steve Winwood

Release information:

Steve Winwood has a new band, and a new album titled About Time. The release date is June 17, 2003, and is the maiden voyage from Steve's new label, Wincraft Music. It seems everything is new, even his management - Madison House Inc., who he joined with in September. The band is Steve Winwood, Walfredo Reyes Jr., drums / percussion, Jose Neto, guitars, Randall Bramlet, sax / flute / keyboards, Cafe on percussion. Walfredo is an ongoing band member.  Watch for Walfredo playing with David Lindley and El Rayo-X beginning August, 2003.

INTERVIEW:

Dave Hardy: When did you start playing drums, and what were your influences?

Walfredo Reyes: I started playing drums when I was around 12 years old, taking lessons from my Dad (master Cuban drummer) while living in Puerto Rico. Then my family moved to the U.S. where I continued to play, travel and absorb the American eclectic music like blues, jazz, R&B, zydeco, etc., and by the time I turned 16, I was already a professional musician making music and earning a living .

D: When did you know what you wanted to do with your life?

W: Most of my family members were musicians, but I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was young (that made me a rebel I guess - ha!). When I reached the eighth grade I realized that music was a part of my daily life, and I asked my Dad for drum lessons. After a few years of studying music, I started to perform with different bands, and I thought, if I can play music as a career it would be great, 'cause it gives you so much satisfaction and emotional release ... so music is what I have been doing since I was 16.

D: I understand Steve is planning on performing some songs from Traffic and his solo work on this tour. When did you start playing with Steve Winwood?

W: I started to play with Steve in 1994 when he reformed Traffic with Jim Capaldi and asked me to join the band, which I was honored. I shared the drum set and percussion chair with Jim Capaldi. I have been working with Steve since then, on and off. He takes long breaks from touring.

D: I know you liked playing with Jerry Garcia, and you did play with the Grateful Dead when you were with Steve Winwood before, in Traffic ... do you have anything to add to that?

W: Oh man!... Jerry Garcia and I first met when I used to play with David Lindley & El Rayo-X. We opened for The Grateful Dead back in 1987. He was a true music fan and used to hang all day at the concert site listening to the bands opening for them. He loved to talk about all kinds of music. In 1994 Traffic opened for The Grateful Dead for 11 shows, and on our last show Jerry jammed with us on the song Dear Mr. Fantasy. It was great! We spoke about playing together. He wanted me to play in his solo band after the tour was over but it never happened unfortunately. As you know he left this world abruptly, and I am sure there's a great jam right now going on somewhere in Heaven!

D: I loved your playing with El Rayo-X and with Santana ... do you bring some of that to the Winwood band?

W: I am sure I do, cause I carry those experiences in my heart. I have been very fortunate and blessed to have played with these fantastic, unique artists. Steve is a very versatile, eclectic musician, a very special artist and a great human being. He likes to be free to take his music anywhere it can go. Especially in this coming tour. This band can go anywhere in the world in one show. It's like a musical travel agency! "Where should we fly to today?"

D: You are immortalized by a song written about you, with your name as the title. A song written and recorded by Phish ... how does that feel?

W: It's an honor, especially now that they are so big and successful. This song is kind of biographical of their youth experiences ... going to see bands I was in, and also biographical of myself too, so now that years have gone by, it's like a funny / serious song to hear, with great sentimental memories.

D: What was it like going to England to record with Steve?

W: Fantastic! Where Steve lives in England is very beautiful and tranquil. He built a studio / house from a 17th century barn on his property. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and the thing he was looking for musically, was for the band to just play like a non studio situation (no headphones, click tracks, loops, etc.). Just set-up close to each other and make music like when we were kids, and that's what we did. Not much rehearsing, just play and record, play and record. In fact there's a track in this album, "Sylvia", where it was the very first time I ever played the song, and it was a great band performance on the first take, not perfect, but raw and unique. We tried recording it later on, and that first take just had something special, so Steve said "that's the one".

D: Jose Neto is a new member with the band. You two have known each other for a while, right?

W: The first time I heard Jose play was when he played with Airto & Flora Purim. He is a very versatile guitarist that compliments Steve's playing, great rhythm & lead player. When I get the chance, I play with his own band, which is an exciting band to play with.

D: What can you say about the About Time recording, as it's a new Winwood project, and it's the first release on his own label.

W: This is the first time Steve did not have a record company looking over his shoulder, you might say, in a studio situation. The songs are personal for him. He just wants to play songs that he can stretch out and feature the B-3 Organ on, in this album, which is a big part of his musical roots and youth. I just hope people like the record as much we did recording it. Steve is playing organ bass pedals, the organ and singing at the same time. It's going to be great playing these new songs and the older ones too, on this tour.

D: Can you let me say anything about shows that are still unannounced?

W: Well ... a lot of stuff is being confirmed at the moment. Check out stevewinwood.com or my site walfredoreyesjr.com periodically for new add-ons. We will be touring with The Dead in June, Europe & Japan in July, and we will tour again this September and October in the U.S. and Europe.

David Hardy, former personal assistant to Carlos Santana, is a twenty-year veteran of the music industry.

David Hardy -  Hanging with Dave 2003

I could not put into words all that I have experienced musically from July to now. July started off by going with Freddie Ravel (keys) Alphonso Johnson (Bass)& Michael O'Neil (Guitar) to perform at the Halifax Jazz Festival 2002. Fantastic place, the biggest lobsters I've ever seen.

Back in LA I continued to record & do live gigs with Rhian Benson. I hope the album comes out soon. On July 28th I went to Sathonay village near Lyon, France to participate in PercuPassion 2002. One week of percussion with many great masters. Check out PercuPassion.net for pictures & details. I will never forget this wonderful experience.

On August 12th I started my 8 countries,12 cities Mapex Drum Clinic Tour. The international flying was tough but the musical rewards were supreme. I played all my clinics to packed venues. I shared the stage with sooo many incredible drummers & musicians from each of the countries. I was continuously humbled. Mexico,Santo Domingo, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia in four weeks! I shall never forget all the wonderful people I met in all these countries.

I barely recuperated from jet lag & I was on stage Sept.14 with Celia Cruz rehearsing for the Latin Grammies 2002. We performed the hit "La Negra tiene Tumbao" at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Backstage was like a percussionist convention, hanging out with the cream of the crop in percussion... Luis Conte, Raul Rekow, Karl Perazo, Michito Sanchez, Richie Garcia, Kevin Ricard, Ray Yslas, Rafael Padilla, Tiki Pasillas, Bobby Allende & about 10 more other percussionists & drummers from different acts. Wow!

In October I started recording a new record for Steve Winwood at his recording studio in England. It is a live recording with a trio. Jose Neto on Guitars, Steve Winwood on Vocals, bass pedals & B3 organ, & myself on drums & percussion. Steve will have some guests come in on other instruments. It is a very live feeling in the studio & very loose, not overly produced. No click tracks & almost no overdubs. Just like when we were young & started playing!! We are planning to tour next year around summer time. The album will come out hopefully in April, & other Traffic & Winwood concerts also will be released next year! I hope to see you there.

November 9th finds me taking a one day break from UK's Winwood recording to participate at the Montreal Drum Fest 2002 in Canada. One of the best in the world with great drummers like Omar Hakim, Steve Smith, Tom Lang, Joe Morello & many others. Check out montrealdrumfest.com!I arrived from UK on the 9th, bumped into legendary Joe Morello at the bar & had the pleasure of having a 1 hour conversation / history lesson with the maestro. I performed on the 10th & Raul Rekow from Santana join me on congas to play for the most receptive audience. Then I went straight to the airport, back to the UK where I am writing this letter right now.

Until next time, Take care, peace & health

January started with an amazing Winter NAMM in LA where I got to see lots of friends & musicians in the International music business scene.

In February I had a one in a lifetime experience performing with Robbie Robertson & the Red Road Ensemble at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The U.S broadcast did not do justice to the event since they only showed less than 1/4 of what really went on. It was breath taking to play with 600 Native American dancers from 5 different tribal Nations of Utah. I also started to work with a great singer/songwriter named Rhian Benson (Rhianbenson.com) & a great group of musicians including Alphonso Johnson on Bass & percussionist David Leech (Ben Harper). We have been rehearsing for live performances while also working on Rhian's studio project.

March took me into the studio with a great pianist/composer Roger Burn. I played percussion & one track on drums on his upcoming CD which features Jimmy Haslip on Bass, Airto & Flora & many other great musicians.

In April I went to Rotterdam, Holland to perform at the Heineken Night Life Show which I do every year at the Ahoy Entertainment Center. This year I had the pleasure to drum for R&B diva Chaka Khan, merengueman Elvis Crespo & reggae rap artist Shaggy. It was an amazing high energy fast paced spectacle.

Right after flying in from Rotterdam I went to perform at the Cape Breton Drum Fest, Nova Scotia Canada to play an amazing drum festival with Zoro, Paul Wertico, Dom Fomularo & many other great drummers. Then I visited the Sabian Cymbal factory. I have to say I am proud to be a Sabian endorser. I was blown away with the whole experience.(see photo gallery)

May.... I barely arrived from Canada & I went to play with Rhian Benson some live dates & straight to New Jersey for the Modern Drummer Festival. The biggest in the world. I got to perform with my Dad & my brother Danny. So many amazing drummers there!! Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Thomas Lang, Rick Marrotta & many more...

Afterwards we went to take some pictures at Latin Percussion,Inc. in New Jersey & got to see family in Manhattan for a de los Reyes family dinner. As soon as I arrived I played drums for some new artist that my friends John Pena & Shell Sondheim are producing. Very cool Pop & Rock suff. Then I got called to play the drum & percussion loops for the motion picture Spy Kids 2. James Bond meets Salsa meets Duane Eddy meets Chili Pepers meets Santana. I had a great time going crazy mixing it up on the drums

June... I am preparing to go to Memphis to record with legendary producer Willie Mitchell (Al Green) & drum on Willie Lomax Blues album with one of the baddest B3 players & singer Shawn Brown. We are going to sweat & stink that studio up!! Then I come back to LA to perform with Rhian Benson at Lunarias in Beverly Hills. From Memphis funk to Beverly Hills slick!. Also look for Richie Garcia's next solo Cd. Just finished laying down a very cool track we co-wrote together. That's about it for now!

Please look in my itinerary for further dates.

Hi Everyone!!

Since my last newsletter in Feb. 2001, a lot has happen this year. The biggest challenge has been to find the balance between my musical career & my personal life. I had to deal with many new personal, health, & family changes.

On the musical side, aside from staying closer to LA this year more than previous ones, I worked on many sessions for TV, commercials, artists & my own personal songs & demos. I want to share some great highlights:

In February my Father Walfredo Reyes, Sr., my brother Danny Reyes & I, performed a national Carl's Jr. TV commercial for US Hispanic TV & Radio stations. We played percussion & sang on it. It was a great experience except for having to bite & spit about 20 cheeseburgers to get the right camera shot!

In March, I performed with the Freddie Ravel Group for Bossendorfer Pianos at the Frankfurt Music Messe Show, Germany. I now know what a Stradivarius piano is! Then I went to Holland to do some concerts & an instructional video for a great percussionist & friend Martin Verdonk. Check out his web. www.martinverdonk.com

In April I found myself in Rotterdam, Holland, again, playing for the Heineken Night Life Show, a three night concert filmed for Dutch TV. This year I had the pleasure to work with Donna Summer, En Vogue, Steve Winwood, Son By 4, & Los Del Rio (Macarena), & a wonderful all star band from UK & Holland. A lot of Dance Grooves, R&B & Divas!

In May I had the pleasure to work with my good friend percussionist Alex Acuna & some incredible musicians on a Verve Records Xmas Album produced by Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin. I did not want the session to end! I also did a recording session & a great concert in Ohai, CA with Oscar Castro Neves, performing the music of Carlos Jobim.

In August my son Joseph & I spent a week at KOSA Percussion Camp where I taught in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. What a memorable experience for teachers & students!! A rare opportunity to share quality time with my son & with world percussion & drumset greats like Dom Famularo, Richie Garcia, Marco Minneman, Johnny Rabb, Ed Shaughnessy, Zoro, Glen Velez, Arnie Lang, Aldo Mazza, Gordon Gotlieb & many many other great musicians.... Check out this website, www.kosamusic.com. I hope to see you there next year!! I also found myself collaborating & writing with piano greats, Don Grusin, Ron Feuer & Larry Cohn. New compositions for the near future...

On September 10th I did a Latin Grammy star-studded tribute to Julio Iglesias, with musical director Arturo Sandoval & an LA All Star Band. Some of the performers I got to work with were Celia Cruz, Alejandro Sanz, Laura Paussini, Jon Secada, Phil Ramone (producer). It was a great night.... & then I woke up September 11!!! Unfortunately, you know the rest...

On September 14th, against all odds, with high tension in the air, I made my way through airports, security, armed soldiers, baggage checks, etc. to perform a 7 week Mapex Deep Forest Drum Workshop Tour in Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, UK, France & Canada. I have to say music & rhythms were an incredibly powerful source of communication through out & the tour was a success with high attendance everywhere. Thanks all of you who participated & attended.

November was a session month, working on albums for Lou Del Gatto "You, the Night & the Music", Clare Fischer's clarinet ensemble CD, Japanese artist T-Square, Larry Cohn's upcoming CD, & my own upcoming drum & percussion CD as well "Crudo". I also got to play with Sheila E.& her Dad Pete Escovedo w/ Freddie Ravel on the Namaste Award Humanitarian Ceremony given to the LA Police & Fire Departments traveling to help at the Trade Center tragedy. An uplifting & spiritual event! Also, I had a great pleasure playing with Brazilian guitarist great Jose Neto & his band! Intense & Dynamic!

In Dec. I had the pleasure of joining a great world music ensemble to accompany master oud & violin player Simon Shaheen & Tunisian singer Amina in a memorable concert that broke the political barriers into a night of Peace through Music! Check my web for pictures.

I ended the year with the annual benefit The Y Spirit Concert that my friend & great drummer Eddie Tuduri organizes every year for the specially gifted children with disabilities. A night of great performances, sharing & reunion with friends - Kevyn Latteu & Mike Shapiro, Airto & Flora, Joe Porcaro, Ndugu, Tommy Aldridge, my Dad Walfredo Sr., Vinnie Colaiutta, Ralph Humphrey & many many others.

That's about it for now! May the New Year bring you & your families lots of Health, Peace & Happiness,

God Bless you, Please stay in Touch,

Walfredo

See the itinerary for details!

I hope this finds you all well & healthy. After many e-mails asking "where's Wally?"... well, here it is!

After ending the year 2000 doing Cristina Aquilera's Christmas Special, the year 2001 started with a bang... playing in a new band with Don Grusin (keyboards), Armand Sabal-Lecco (bass) & Toshi Anagi (guitars). We will continue to play around the LA area & record later this year.

The January NAMM show was great! I reconnected with lots of friends. After NAMM, I was featured in a commercial for Carl's Jr. for the Hispanic cities of the US. My brother Danny & my Dad also participated. You might see us & hear us on spanish TV channels & local radio. It was a great experience! Muevete!! (that's the hook)

I'm flying to France to do a drum workshop / concert for Mapex Drums at Chateau St. Jean, Parc St. Jean, 03100 Montlucon, Phone 04 70 02 71 71, Fax 04 70 02 71 70. www.chateaustjean.net It's on the 17th of February... drum clinic & concert in the evening. Call for information. Drums & Creme Brulee!

The 8th of March I will be playing a concert with Freddie Ravel at the Music Messe in Frankfurt, Germany, for Boessendorfer grand pianos at the Marriott Hotel. Great band! I hope I see some of you there.

Then, I hop to the US & back on the 13th of March to Holland to do a drum video & concert with Martin Verdonk (great percussionist from Curasao / Holland). We're gonna cook some grooves & film til the 20th of March.

On the 2nd of April I start rehearsals in London for the Heineken Night Life concerts which take place at the Ahoy (entertainment center) in Rotterdam, Holland the 19th, 20th & 21st. I will be backing many international artists with a huge symphonic orchestra. Last time Toni Braxton, Elvis Costello, K's Choice, Roland Gift & many others performed. The show this year is going to be with En Vogue, Donna Summer, Son by 4, Dancers & many other local performers. I will be drumming for all these artists & also I'll be featured in the band which is Steve Winwood's rhythm section.

This year I will be one of the faculty at the Kosa Percussion Camp in the mountains of Vermont, US. It will take place from July 30th To Aug. 5th. The list of performers participating is amazing! Contact Aldo Mazza for more info at kosa@istar.ca.

I am working on my Wallyworld music project & many other great sessions & projects which I will post up in the near future on my web. Thank you for your support, friendship & positive e-mails. Stay in touch, & take care of yourselves.

See the itinerary for details!

I just wanted to let everyone know what's being going on in my musical life lately since so many people have been asking. After a three month rocking tour, playing drums for Johnny Hallyday in France, Belgium, Switzerland & Canada I am back in the US. It was a great tour & a unique, fantastic experience, & there is a video of the show from the Eiffel Tower (1 million + in the audience!!) & one from the concert at Olympia Theatre coming out soon on video, DVD, & CD. Check September's issue of Batteur Magazine!! Yours truly on the cover.

Steve Winwood's live concert at Shepperds Bush, London, should be coming out this year & it is awesome! Look for it on SteveWinwood.com. We played Steve's songs from Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, to Steve's solo CD's. I had a great time.

I just finished working some TV & promotional shows with no. 1 gospel singer Bebe Winans on percussion, promoting his new single "Coming Home". It's high on the charts!

This monday Oct. 9th I will be playing percussion with Grammy award winning singer Cristina Aguilera on the Jay Leno Show. We will be performing her new spanish single "Contigo en la Distancia" (which means " With you at a Distance"). Stay up if you can!!

I have also been busy recording drums, percussion, writing & coproducing at John Seda's studio in Tampa for a multicultural project called Perco Loco. This project is made up of an all star band including (but not limited to) Giovanni Hidalgo (percussion), Millie Puente (the great Tito Puente's niece, vocals), Franky J of Funkadelic, Cynthia Rose & Jerry Martini of Sly & the Family Stone & many other artists from Japan, Puerto Rico & the Tampa area. We have been cooking some mean grooves while eating Puerto Rican cuisine. Mofongo, Pasteles, Coquito, I better stop!!

I am also working on my crazy world music mucho locobeats "Wallyworld" project that has taken me a long time to finish, due to interruptions by something called "making a living", but it's coming! The tribal side of me!

I will keep you informed soon of many cool projects as they develop, like a new band I am joining in November with bassist of Violent Femmes, Jordanian percussionist Hani Naser, & eclectic psychedelic banjoist Trishka. A possible Rock Festival in Cuba on Nov. 13th thru the 20th with Alanis Morisette & many others, new dates with Johnny Hallyday & The Heineken Nightlife, in Rotterdam, with many international performers. (At last year's Heineken Nightlife I got to drum for Toni Braxton, Elvis Costello, K's Choice & many other artists, & boy was I hot! I had the flu & 100 degree fever!!!!

That's all folks!!I hope this update answers the question "Where's Wally". Hasta luego, Chiao, Sayonara, Au revoir

Peace & Love to all,
Wally

See the itinerary for details!

While i was in Paris working with Johnny Hallyday, I collaborated with new musician friends from Africa. Some of this collaboration is for my cd I'm working on. Also from the 11th thru the 17th I'm in Tampa, FL at John Seda's studio working on a project which includes Giovanni Hidalgo, Cynthia Rose (from Sly & the Family Stone) & many other guests.

My priority musically is to finish & get out of my body all this music & ideas I've accumulated while on tour in France.

I am planning to go to Cuba with a big rock festival Nov. 13.

See the itinerary for details!

Wally's on the road! He's heading out on the Heartland 2000 Tour with El Buho (who is a great trumpet player). He'll be working on a CD with Mike McEvoy (keyboard player w/ Steve Winwood and is also part of the all-star El Buho group) in Nashville. Be sure to catch the 2/26 show in St Louis or the 2/29 show in Nashville.... rumor has it that these feature a surprise "Very Special Guest on Bass"!

See the itinerary for details!

Check out these chops! Wally is also teaching at Nashville Percussion Institute the 6,7, & 8 of March... contact the Institute for more details.

Wally's off to Amsterdam with the Steve Winwood Band to play at the Heineken Nitelife w/ Toni Braxton, Elvis Costello, K' Choice, George Baker, the lead singer from Fine Young Cannibals & others. David Campbell is music arranger (He is lead singer from Beck's father). Is a huge orchestra! This will be Nov. 30th thru Dec. 5th. The 6th he'll be in London finally doing Steve Winwood's show at Shepperd's Bush Empire Live to video! After a Xmas vacation & Millennium Party in London w/ family, he'll gear up for the NAMM show in LA. See the itinerary for details!

Be sure to run out (or surf on over!) to your favorite record store! Wally's on new music with K. Troccoli (Corner of Eden on Reunion Rec.), Juan Gabriel (Todo Esta Bien on BMG), & Joe Sample w/ Lalah Hathaway (The Song Lives On, on PRA records). Recent movie credits include Random Hearts, (music-Dave Grusin) and Siegfried & Roy's The Magic Box, (Alan Silvestri music).

The Reyes Family (Wally, his father, Walfredo, Sr, and brother Danny... with former Santana lead singer, Alex Ligertwood, David Garfield, and Alphonse Johnson) recently had a blast playing at the Avila Drum Day! Sharing the day of drums with The Reyes Family were Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Kevyn Lettau & Michael Shapiro, Tommy Aldridge, Luis Conte & Richie Garcia, Ndugu Chancelor, Richie Hayward, Cougar Estrada, Avance w/ Karl Perazzo, Anastasia & John, Vito Rezza, Human Human, and Joe La La. What an amazing show!

Wally's home for a minute... "mastering" his new laptop and Cubase! He is devoting the next few weeks to his own music, then off to Amsterdam in November with the Steve Winwood Band. They will be doing Live TV Specials, playing with Toni Braxton, Elvis Costello and more! See the itinerary for details!

Wally's been busy! (I don't think this guy ever sleeps!) He just finished playing percussion on 2 movies... The Magic Box for I-Max theaters (music by Alan Silvestri) and Harrison Ford's new movie, Random Hearts (music by Dave Grusin).

Wally is recording with Juan Gabriel (huge Latin American artist) and Jose Jose (with Alex Acuna on percussion; John Pena, bass; Alan Pasqua, keyboards; and orchestra)

Wally's taking his studio on the road... new laptop & Cubase software. He's been composing like crazy... songs in Spanish & English for various artists!

He and Larry Cohn have started a "Wacky Wally World Latin Drum & Bass" project... sound bytes coming soon!

And, of course, his upcoming tours with Steve Winwood and Joe Sample. Be sure to check out the Steve Winwood tour... Steve is recording & filming the tour!