How do you top all the awards earned by Lorain native Sammy DeLeon, Northeast Ohio’s most legendary Latin jazz percussionist and band leader? According to DeLeon, his greatest accomplishments occur when he is coaching younger musicians in the styles he has mastered: Latin jazz, salsa, merengue, and Afro-Cuban expressions.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, as the 8th child of a family of 13 children, DeLeon learned early. Although his parents were not professional musicians, their Puerto Rican heritage showed through in his mother’s singing and his father’s performances on the cuatro, a Puerto Rican-style lute, during Christmas carnivals in their hometown. Upon entering Admiral King High School, Sammy joined the drum corps in 9th grade and began playing professionally as part of Trio Puerto Rico at age 13. After graduation in 1979, he became a full-time performer, eventually performing with the late great Cleveland area Latin jazz pianist Roberto Ocasio. DeLeon then went on to front his own band, Sammy De León y Su Orquesta, which has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years.
Latin jazz, salsa, merengue, and Afro-Cuban musical styles are all part of Sammy DeLeon’s repertoire. In a career spanning more than 40 years, DeLeon has created, and continues to create, a vibrant and complex rhythmic musical style that is hypnotic, energized, and percussive.
Fusing traditional Cuban rhythms with African influences, his performances on the timbales, a twin set of metal-encased, single-headed drums, are characterized by infectious energy and a pulsating beat.
And, the beat goes on for DeLeon. At a recent energizing performance at the Severance Music Center during its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration concert on Sept. 13, DeLeon and his band delivered an unforgettable, powerful, high-energy celebration which had audience members dancing in the aisles. For nearly four decades his dedication to learning all that he could and translating that knowledge into his work has garnered him numerous accolades and awards. For instance, in 2015 he was named the Tri-C Jazz Legend of the Year. He was also named an artist honoree for the City of Los Angeles Annual Salsa Congress. But, he also embraces opportunities to teach the younger generations to find and explore their talents. He serves as a Latin music historian and presenter for the Cleveland Municipal School District and as a percussion instructor at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center. DeLeon considers it his greatest accomplishment when he can support young musicians and help them carry on the musical traditions of his upbringing and culture.
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