SAMMY DELEON

masterclass - AFRO-CUBAN PERCUSSION

Born and raised in northeast Ohio, Sammy’s passion for music stems from his deep roots in the salsa genre. For nearly four decades, his dedication to learning all that he could and translating that knowledge into year after year of unforgettable performances has earned him much respect and adoration of peers and fans alike. Once referenced by the great Tito Puente as, “the hottest young timbalero in America”, and having had the honor of playing with the legend, Sammy’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. Sammy recently earned top honors as recipient of the Tri-C Jazz Legend of the Year award 2015, where his contributions and accomplishments will forever be memorialized. It is this type of recognition that humbles Sammy. He jumps at every opportunity to teach the younger generations to find and explore their talents. From the City of Cleveland Municipal Schools as a Latin Music Historian and Presenter, to Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center Percussion Instructor, to City of Los Angeles, California Annual Salsa Congress as Artist Honoree, he considers it his greatest accomplishment when he can coach performances by the younger generations, and that the traditions are carried on.