Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (/ɪnˈduːɡuː ˈtʃænslər/ in-DOO-goo CHANSS-lər;[1] July 1, 1952 – February 3, 2018) was an American pop, funk, and jazz drummer. He was also a composer, producer, and university professor.
Ndugu Chancler | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Leon Chancler |
Born | Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. | July 1, 1952
Died | February 3, 2018 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 65)
Genres | Jazz, pop, funk, blues, jazz fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion |
Years active | 1965–2018 |
Education | California State University, Dominguez Hills |
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on July 1, 1952, Leon Chancler was the youngest of seven children from the union of Rosie Lee and Henry Nathaniel Chancler. In 1960, the family relocated to Los Angeles, California. Chancler began playing drums when he was thirteen years old. He would publicly reminisce about being asked to leave a classroom for continuously tapping on the desk, only to be later heard tapping on the poles in the hallway. His love for the drums took over while attending Gompers Junior High School and it became his lifelong ambition. He graduated from Locke High School, having been involved in playing there with Willie Bobo and the Harold Johnson Sextet, and he later graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a degree in music education.
By the time he finished college, Chancler had already performed with jazz artists such as the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Herbie Hancock,[2] and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson.
He recorded frequently as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including the instantly recognizable drums on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".[3][4] In 1982, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues song for co-writing "Let It Whip", made famous by the Dazz Band.[5] Other musicians with whom Chancler worked during his career included George Benson, Stanley Clarke, the Crusaders, George Duke, John Lee Hooker, Hubert Laws, Thelonious Monk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Patrice Rushen, Santana, Frank Sinatra, Donna Summer, the Temptations, Tina Turner, and Weather Report.
In 2006,[4] he became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California[6] and taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California for three weeks every summer.[7] He was a member of the Percussive Arts Society [8] and was inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame in 2020.[9]
Chancler was given the name "Ndugu" by Herbie Hancock during his time with Hancock's Mwandishi band. He was known as Leon (Ndugu) Chancler, or sometimes Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu is Swahili for “earth brother,” a family member or comrade.[10]
Ndugu grew up active in his church and was mentored and influenced by many strong men that helped shape his life after the absence of his father at age 13. His older brother Londell was a major support and motivation to him. When his mother was diagnosed with diabetes, Ndugu cared for her until her death in 1994. Chancler had one child, his son Rashon Chafic Chancler, with Vicki Guess.
Chancler died at his home in Los Angeles on February 3, 2018, of prostate cancer, at the age of 65.[11][12][6][10] A song, "Home Light," written by Ernie Watts and Marc Seales, was dedicated to Chancler. It was the title track of a 2018 album by the Ernie Watts Quartet.
Solo : Chocolate Jam Company [Spread of the Future] (Sony, 1979) [Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam Company, Do I Make You Feel Better] (Sony 1980)
With David Axelrod
With George Benson
With Dee Dee Bridgewater
With Peabo Bryson
With Keni Burke
With Tia Carrere
With Miles Davis
With DeBarge
With George Duke
With Sheena Easton
With The Emotions
With Herbie Hancock
With Eddie Harris
With Hampton Hawes
With Tramaine Hawkins
With Joe Henderson
With Jennifer Holliday
With John Lee Hooker
With James Ingram
With Michael Jackson
With Patti LaBelle
With Labelle
With Harold Land
With Azar Lawrence
With Cheryl Lynn
With Wendy Matthews
With Jean-Luc Ponty
With Julian Priester
With Lionel Richie
With LeAnn Rimes
With Minnie Riperton
With Robbie Robertson
With Kenny Rogers
With Patrice Rushen
With Santana
With Lalo Schifrin
With Donna Summer
With Tina Turner
With Weather Report
With Syreeta Wright
With Rahmlee Michael Davis