Marlon Simon Drummer

Hi, I’m Marlon Simon Drummer, a drummer, composer, arranger, and educator with a passion for Afro Caribbean rhythms and their adaptation to modern music. I studied jazz and contemporary music at The New School for Social Research, explored Afro Cuban rhythms and Latin percussion, and have performed and taught across the United States and internationally. I lead my own projects, teach at universities and arts organizations, and cultivate new repertoire that blends tradition with contemporary styles.

As the founder and band leader of The Nagual Spirits and collaborator on the French Latin Jazz and French Venezuelan projects, I bring people together through rhythm, improvisation, and cross-cultural performance. I’ve taught and mentored students at The University of the Arts, Perkins Center for The Arts, AMLA, and Musicopia, and my work has been recognized with fellowships and arts awards. I’m committed to sharing Latin rhythms, Afro-Cuban music, and jazz expression with diverse audiences and students around the world.