Meet a Brownsville drummer who made it big in L.A.
HOMETOWN HOLLYWOOD: Profiling Valley natives who've made it big in L.A.
Fausto Cuevas (Brownsville) Percussionist/drummer in all types of music.
>> Where you might have seen him last: playing with Stevie Wonder and Take 6 at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Co. "It was a huge deal," he said. "It was a historical thing. I lived history ... and I lived it playing drums."
>> Big tours he's been on: Britney Spear's Onyx tour, Stevie Wonder's A Wonder Autum's Night tour, High School Musical tour, Julio Iglesias' Tango World Tour
>> Other big names he's played with: Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah and Celia Cruz.
>> Current gig: He's been in the studio with Stevie Wonder working on the legendary artist's new album. "I think where I am right now is the most incredible and influential gig or band I could be in," he said.
>> His sound: While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Cuevas said he found himself immersed in everything from jazz to African music and was influenced by all of them. He admits, however, that he particularly enjoys Latin, folkloric music. He said his favorites include Giovanni Hidalgo and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez.
>> Dream: "My goal in life before I die is to have a rumba group and play different types of folklore music," he said. "I just want to help preserve a type of music that is so deep."
>> Hometown ties: Cuevas' drumming has taken him to each corner of the globe, but the Valleyite says he still longs to return home and harness the "incredible, young talent" in the area. "They're still missing the kinds of things I was missing, like instruments," he said. "You can't imagine how much a program in music and dance - it can really save people's lives. And it can take people around the world like it's taken me around the world."
>> Artists he plays the heck out of: Los Vandan, Ilu Aña, Rumberos de Cuba, Yoruba Andabo, Miles Davis and John Coltrane
