Available to hire
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.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
Work Experience
Lecturer of Music; Drums and Latin Percussion Instructor; Afro Caribbean Percussion Ensemble Instructor; Latin Jazz Ensemble Instructor at University of the Arts
September 1, 2005 - December 31, 2010Duties included: conducting individual Latin percussion and drum set lessons; directing Afro Caribbean percussion and Latin Jazz ensembles; teaching the history and development of Latin Jazz in the USA.
Music Faculty at Perkins Center for The Arts
July 1, 2000 - December 31, 2010Coaching small ensembles; teaching individual drum set and Latin percussion lessons; conducting students’ recitals.
Afro Caribbean Percussion Ensemble Instructor; Instructor and author of analysis of Latin Rhythms through music notation class at AMLA (Latin American musicians association)
September 1, 1997 - May 31, 2008Director of percussion Ensemble; Latin percussion classes through music notation and transcriptions; master classes and faculty workshops; publications funded by Doris Duke and Mellon foundations.
Creator of 'Introduction to Latin Rhythms' workshop for public schools; Artist in residency at Musicopia
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2012Created workshops for public schools; artist in residency in numerous public schools in NJ, PA and NYC; duties included conducting classes and culminating recital concerts.
Band Leader / Drummer at The Nagual Spirits
January 1, 2003 - PresentLeader of own band; responsible for performance, repertoire development, and international touring/performances. Notable activities include conventions and international jazz collaborations.
Leader / Composer / Performer at The French Latin Jazz Project & The French Venezuelan Project
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2019Leader and principal performer/composer for cross-cultural jazz projects; performances at international festivals including Spedidam Jazz Festival (Clermont-Ferrand) and tours across Europe.
Lecturer of Music; Drums and Latin Percussion Instructor; Afro Caribbean Percussion Ensemble Instructor; Latin Jazz Ensemble Instructor at The University of the Arts
September 1, 2005 - January 1, 2010Duties included conducting individual Latin percussion and drum set lessons; directing Afro Caribbean percussion and Latin Jazz ensembles; teaching the History and development of Latin Jazz in the USA.
Afro Caribbean Percussion Ensemble Instructor; Instructor and Author (Latin Rhythms analysis via music notation) at AMLA (Latin American Musicians Association)
September 1, 1997 - May 1, 2008Directed percussion ensemble; authored analysis of Latin rhythms through music notation; publication funded by Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.
Founder / Workshop Creator at Musicopia
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2012Creator of 'Introduction to Latin Rhythms' workshop for public schools; artist in residency in numerous public schools in NJ, PA and NYC; conducted regular classes culminating in a recital concert with middle and high public schools in the tri-state area.
Band Leader / Founder at The Nagual Spirits
January 1, 2003 - PresentLeader of own band with international performances and new compositions; participated in major jazz events and festivals.
Band Leader / Project Director at French Latin Jazz project; French Venezuelan Project
January 1, 2010 - PresentLed international jazz collaborations with appearances at festivals in Clarmont-Ferrand, Yzeurespace, Paris, and other venues.
Guest Performer / Collaborating Artist at University of the Arts
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001Participated in the Concert Jazz Band festival in 2001.
Education
Bachelor in Fine Arts (Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance) at The New School for Social Research, NYC
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026Commercial Pilot at Pro Flite of Vero Beach
January 1, 1980 - March 2, 2026Cirrus Perspective Transition Training Course SR22T (VFR/IFR) at Cirrus
January 1, 2018 - March 2, 2026Bachelor's in Jazz and Contemporary Music (Jazz Studies) at The New School for Social Research
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026Bachelor's in Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School for Social Research
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Qualifications
FAA Commercial Aircraft and Helicopter Pilot (with INAC Venezuelan licenses)
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026FAA First Class Medical Certificate
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026Cirrus Perspective Transition Training Course SR22T (VFR/IFR)
January 1, 2018 - March 2, 2026Transportation of Dangerous Items Certification
January 1, 2010 - March 2, 2026Official Reserve Pilot - Venezuelan Air Force (Arms and Surviving Dangerous Situations)
January 1, 1984 - March 2, 2026Certified Spanish Instructor
January 1, 1995 - March 2, 2026Oil refinery equipment maintenance and corrosion technician
January 11, 2030 - March 2, 2026Philadelphia Music Foundation grant for outstanding talent and contribution to music
January 1, 1988 - March 2, 2026New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts and Education
January 1, 2001 - March 2, 2026Chamber Music America Jazz New Works Grant
January 1, 2005 - March 2, 2026Face: French American Cultural Exchange Grant to create new repertoire for the French Venezuelan project
January 1, 2007 - March 2, 2026Meet the Composer Research Grant
January 1, 2003 - March 2, 2026Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship
January 1, 2022 - March 2, 2026Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship
January 1, 2022 - April 9, 2026New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts and Education
January 1, 2001 - April 9, 2026Philadelphia Music Foundation Grant for Outstanding Talent and Contribution to Music
January 1, 1988 - April 9, 2026Chamber Music America Jazz New Work Grant
January 1, 2005 - April 9, 2026Face: French American Cultural Exchange grant for the French Venezuelan Project
January 1, 2007 - April 9, 2026Meet the Composer Research Grant
January 1, 2003 - April 9, 2026Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Transportation & Logistics, Professional Services, Education, Other, Non-Profit Organization
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