Daniel de los Reyes

Daniel de los Reyes was born into a family that for three generations has been making a living playing music. His grandfather, Walfredo de los Reyes II, laid the family musical foundation by co-founding the famous Cuban orchestra Casino de la Playa. His father, Walfredo de los Reyes III, went on to become one of Cuba’s most successful drummers/percussionists before moving on to Puerto Rico and then the United States.

As one of the first drummers to incorporate the drum set with congas and other percussion, he blazed a wide path that many would follow. He continues to wow crowds with his drumming and percussion ability, extensive musical history, and incredible enthusiasm at the ripe young age of 79. And now Daniel and his brothers, Walfredo Reyes Jr. and Kamar de los Reyes, keep the torch burning brighter than ever as they consistently stamp the de los Reyes name all over the percussion and entertainment landscape.

In addition to his current schedule with the Zac Brown Band, Daniel has performed on tour, record, TV, movie and video over the years with a virtual who’s who of music giants including Chicago, Don Henley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sting, The Killers, Sheryl Crow, Patti LaBelle, Peter Frampton, Jennifer Lopez, Don Omar, Stevie Nicks, Louie Vega, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Lionel Richie, Kenny Ortega, Steve Winwood, and many others.

Recent recordings include Zac Brown Band’s Uncaged, Brandon Flowers Flamingo, The Killers Day & Age, Peter Frampton’s Fingerprints, Phillip Bailey’s Soul on Jazz, Sheldon Reynold's Devoted Spirits: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, Yanni’s Tribute, John (JR) Robinson's Funk Shui, the Jimmy Hendrix tribute project titled Power of Soul, Earth, Wind & Fire's The Promise, and Steve Winwood’s Junction Seven. Video appearances include best-selling DVD’s and videos such as Don Henley Live—Inside Job; Yanni’s Tribute; Jennifer Lopez’s Feeling So Good; and Ricky Martin’s The Ricky Martin Video Collection featuring the Grammy performance of “Living la Vida Loca.”

One of Daniel’s most rewarding endeavors these days is using his musical talents to reach out to others in a variety of ways. Whether working with children, teens, adults, elderly, or special needs clients, Daniel’s belief is that there is a drummer in everyone. His popular rhythm programs and events have been used in a variety of including clients such as Cirque du Soleil and NBA’s Miami Heat’s Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade.

When de los Reyes isn’t traveling the world with a premier artist, rocking a studio with session work, or giving back to others using his rhythmical talents, he’s turning the cranks in his brain to find the next invention that drummer’s won’t be able to live without. By far his most popular and successful invention is the One Shot shaker series from LP that provides a downbeat shake without the inevitable back-shake. Others include an innovative utility beater by Regal Tip that attaches to pedals for play on cowbells, woodblocks, and tambourines without sacrificing their natural sounds, as well as the Daniel de los Reyes Signature Pro pad by DW (Drum Workshop) that incorporates timbales, cowbells, and congas all in a portable practice rig that easily fits in a backpack.

Jareb Cobb of DRUM! Magazine sums it best: "As a highly acclaimed percussionist, performer, producer, clinician, and inventor, Daniel de los Reyes is a rare example of someone who possesses the right combination of intelligence, experience, connections, and guts that separates himself from the masses. His pedigreed upbringing allows him to dream big, his years of paying dues on the road allow him to filter these ideas with a business-minded sieve, and his passion for life and music -- they are one in the same for him -- allows him to pursue worthy ideas with the level of energy and enthusiasm that they demand. He's a visionary with the drive to execute.