Known as a world class drummer and percussionist, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler has an extensive list of performances, recordings, original compositions, and productions to this credit.



Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Ndugu Chancler attended Locke High School in Los Angeles, where he began playing drums at age thirteen. During his high school years, he worked with Willie Bobo and played and recorded with the Harold Johnson Sextet. Immediately after high school, Ndugu pursued a music education degree at California State University in Dominguez Hills while performing with the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Herbie Hancock, and Hugh Masakela. By age nineteen, Ndugu had performed and recorded with such greats as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Eddie Harris, Harold Land, and Bobby Hutcherson, to name a few.



Grammy Nominations:

1984, Best R&B Instrumental Performance, “Ghetto Blaster”, The Crusaders. 1982, Best R&B Performance by Group/Duo, “Let it Whip”, Dazz Band and Best R&B Song of the Year “Let it Whip” (co-wrote Dazz Band single “Let it Whip” from “Keep it Live” LP, RIAA Certified Gold).



Production Credits:

Flora Purim’s “Nothing Will Be As It Was” LP; The Chocolate Jam Company LPs, “The Spread of the Future” and “Do I Make You Feel Better?”; Bill Summer’s LPs, “Cayenne” and “Straight To The Bank”; Ndugu’s “Old Friends, New Friends”, Toki’s “1:00 AM”. Co-Produced Santana’s “Amigos” LP, RIAA Certified Platinum; General Caine’s “Dangerous” LP; Tina Turner’s “Help” single from “Private Dancer” LP; Kiddo, Klique, and Platinum Hook LPs; Crusaders “Ghetto Blaster” LP; Joe Sample’s “Oasis” LP; Wilton Felder’s “Secrets” LP; The Meeting’s “The Meeting” and “Update.”



Selected Discography:

Michael Jackson “Bad” and “Thriller;” Herbie Hancock “Mr. Hands,” Sunlight,” and “Mwandishi;” Santana “Amigos” and Borboletta;” Weather Report “Tale Spinnin;” Frank Sinatra “L.A. Is My Lady;” John Lee Hooker “The Healer;” Kenny Rogers “Christmas” and “Love Will Turn You Around;” Lionel Ritchie “Lionel Ritchie;” O’Jay’s “Identify;” Fuse One “Silk;” James Ingram/Michael McDonald “Yah Mo Be There;” James Ingram/Patti Austin “How Do You Keep The Music Playing;” Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warne “Up Where We Belong;” Marvin Gaye “Trouble Man;” James Brown “Slaughter’s Big Rip Of;” and Lionel Hampton “For The Love Of Music.”



Other Projects:

Assistant Musical Director for NBC Television Series, “A Different World.” Faculty at United States Percussion Camp. Percussion Department Chairman/Jazz Studies at University of Southern California (U.S.C.)



Ndugu Chancler currently performs with The Meeting, 1 + One (Patrice Rushen and Ndugu Chancler), Ndugu and Friends, Jazz Classics featuring Ndugu Chancler and Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Drumset Ensemble, and Booker T. Jones Band.