Chendy Leon

ROSENDO LEON AROCHA JR. “CHENDY”PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMERBorn: April 6, 1973 San Antonio de los Baños, Havana, Cuba.Chendy was four when he had his first percussion lesson with his father, he caught on quickly to the rhythms, and didn’t let go.With no formal music education, he trained by performing with many of the local and touring bands in Havana while in school. It was via this experience that he gained expertise, knowledge, and honed his percussion skills. At 18 he began his professional career, playing and recording with many famous Cuban bands and artists such as the Metropolis (of which he was the band leader), Yagrumas Jazz Band, Rodolfo y su Orquesta, Roberto Javier y su Banda, Melao Son, Rojitas y su Grupo, Pancho Amat y su Grupo, and internationally known troubador Silvio Rodriguez. They performed in theatres, hotels, on radio, television, for film and studio. In 1998 Chendy was given the opportunity to write the music for the Cuban documentary, Policlinico Miserable, which was nominated for an Oscar.In 1999 Chendy moved to Toronto, Canada where he continues to play with a diverse group of international artists, with an eclectic variety of styles, such as the great world music guitarist Jesse Cook, The Tropicana Dinner Theatre Band, Bruca Manigua, Luis Mario Ochoa and Cimarron, Son Ache, Marco D’Amico, Quimica Perfecta, , Ricky Franco y su Orquesta, Roberto Occhipinti, Cassava Latin Rhythms, Nick Ali and Cruzao (winner at the 2001 Montreal Jazz Festival), Mitchell V and the World, Evaristo Machado y su Banda, Energia Latina, Eliana Cuevas, The Puentes Brothers, Jane Bunnet (Grammy and Juno nominee), Alexis Baro (National Jazz Award Winner), Mambo Urbano, Havana Rumba, (with Oscar D’ Leon), Havana Express, Luis Orbegoso Quintet, Hilario Duran Big Band and Trio (Juno Award Winner), Cane Fire, Alex Cuba Band (Juno Award Winner) , Ron Sexmith, Amanda Martinez, Jenny Laws, the Genius Vasyl Popadiuk.Experienced in all styles of Cuban music, Chendy is one of the most “in demand” Latin musicians in Toronto, playing and conducting workshops at the Morfis Studio School, The Beaches Jazz Fest and various other institutions throughout Ontario. He currently teaches World Percussion/Drums at Humber College – School of Creative and Performing Arts.