For more than two decades, drummer and educator Alex Leys has been writing, recording, and performing his solo drum music in Solo Drum Concerts and drum clinics and seminars.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he studied classical percussion at the Buenos Aires Conservatory “Manuel de Falla” with Nestor Astutti. Then, after winning the “Drums and Percussion” magazine scholarship, took lessons from Argentinean master teachers Elias Heger and Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla.
In 1999, composes and records “Searches”, his first album of solo drum works and the very first solo drum record in Sudamerica. His compositions go beyond the archetypical drum solo that we all know. Leys uses musical elements like harmony, melody and orchestration to give form and content to his work, truly solo percussion works. A complete musical statement.
Since 1997, Alex Leys started to give drum clinics, master classes and seminars, first, as a freelance educator and now, supported by the companies that he endorses.
In 2003 records “Lonely Traveller” his second solo CD and tours it until 2004, when he moves to Spain, Europe, to keep doing clinics and solo drum performances all around Europe, featuring on radio, TV and Drum Magazines such as Bateria Total (Spain) and Bateristas al Sur (Argentina). Also in Europe works with artist such as pop singer Rut Marcos, bass greats Pepe Bao and Javier Alcalde, Dressing Trio or Tres Gatos Swing (Spain), Michael Harrer (Germany), Linda Cushma, Todd Clouser (USA) or Daiel (Venezuela), to name a few.
In 2009 he forms a duo along famous Chapman Stick player, Guillermo Cides. With the Cides - Leys duo, he travels Europe and Sudamerica for 5 years and publish one live album.
More recently Leys, since 2014, making Argentina his home base again, keeps playing successful clinics, seminars and solo performances as a solo drum artist in Sud American and European cities like Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mar del Plata, Mendoza (Argentina); Armenia, Bogota (Colombia); Tarragona, Vigo, Llodio, Palencia, Ponferrada, Barcelona, Valencia, Avilés, León or Burgos (Spain), Asuncion (Paraguay), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) and many others.
Alex Leys is an Official Educator - clinician for Dw Drums and also endorses: Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, and Protection Racket drum cases.
