Dennis Evans

Percussionist

Mar 12, 1952 - April 4, 2008

Dennis 'Poncho' Evans, a child of the sun. His West Palm Beach, Florida beginnings transplanted well to the ‘City of Angels’, California. The sounds of Cuba followed him.

He did not know that the Cuban music influence, which has engulfed Southern Florida for decades would influence him at an even deeper level in Los Angeles. Eartha Kitt’s Cuban drummer, Lazaro Valdez, trained and mentored the 13 years old at the Watts(Los Angeles) based Kittsville Youth Foundation Dance and Cultural Arts Program.

Dennis feels his lifelong relationship with the drum shines most in his playing of Afro-Cuban Rhythms. Yes, he also enjoys playing rock, jazz, surf and reggae, which he does most often for ‘at risk kids, with the group, (9 years so far), “Saturday Night Bath. You may hear him in a drum circle at a local park, in the pulpit of a church or catch him at Universal City Walk’s ‘B. B. King’s. However, he says, “It is Kittsville (20+ years that keeps me grounded in cultural ethics. It is spiritual and the drums are ‘my spiritual guidance, giving me therapy for the soul and piece of mind”.