Leon “Ndugu” Chancler (July 1, 1952 – February 3, 2018) was a jazz, funk and pop drummer, producer, and composer.

Chancler was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and began playing drums when he was thirteen years old. While in high school, he played with Willie Bobo and the Harold Johnson Sextet. He graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a degree in music education. By then he had already performed with the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Herbie Hancock,^[1] and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson.

Ndugu recorded as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including on “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson.^[2] Throughout his extensive career he worked with George Benson, Stanley Clarke, The Crusaders, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, John Lee Hooker, Hubert Laws, Thelonious Monk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, Frank Sinatra, Donna Summer, The Temptations, Tina Turner, and Weather Report.

In 2006^{[citation needed]} he became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California^[2] and taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California for three weeks every summer.^[3] He was an active member of the Percussive Arts Society.^[4]

On February 3, 2018, Chancler passed away due to complications from cancer.

Discography[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011)

With Miles Davis

• Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia Legacy, 2015)

With Eddie Harris

• Excursions (Atlantic, 1966–73)

With Hampton Hawes

• Universe (Prestige, 1972)
• Blues for Walls (Prestige, 1973)

With Harold Land

• Damisi (Mainstream, 1972)
• Choma (Burn) (Mainstream, 1972)

With Azar Lawrence

• Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974)

With Julian Priester

• Love, Love (ECM, 1973)

With Lalo Schifrin

• No One Home (Tabu, 1979)

With Weather Report

• Tale Spinnin’ (Columbia, 1975)

References[edit]