Leon "Ndugu" Chancler obit

Leon (Ndugu) Chancler, Versatile Drummer, Is Dead at 65

 He was not on the list.

Leon "Ndugu" Chanclerwas a world-renowned American pop, funk and jazz drummer. He further developed his skills and shared his talent as a studio musician, composer, producer and university professor.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on July 1, 1952, Leon Ndugu Chancler was the last child 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 heavily involved in playing there 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, and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson.

He recorded as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including the iconic and instantly recognizable drums on "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.] In 1982, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues song, for co-writing "Let It Whip" made famous by the Dazz Band. 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, Santana, Frank Sinatra, Donna Summer, The Temptations, Tina Turner, and Weather Report.

In 2006, he became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California and taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California for three weeks every summer. He was a member of the Percussive Arts Society.

Throughout his recording career, Chancler billed himself as Leon (Ndugu) Chancler, or sometimes Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu is Swahili for “earth brother,” a family member or comrade.

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, son Rashon Chafic Chancler, with Vicki Guess. Family was important to him and he had many godchildren, nieces, and nephews.

 

Discography

Chocolate Jam Company

Spread of the Future (Sony, 1979)

Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam Company, Do I Make You Feel Better (Sony 1980)

As sideman

With David Axelrod

 

Seriously Deep (Polydor, 1975)

With George Benson

 

Love Remembers (Warner Bros., 1993)

With Bloodstone

 

We Go a Long Way Back (T-Neck, 1982)

Party (T-Neck, 1984)

With Dee Dee Bridgewater

 

Just Family (Elektra Records, 1977)

With Oscar Brown

 

Brother Where Are You (Atlantic Records, 1974)

With Peabo Bryson

 

All My Love (Capitol, 1989)

Missing You (Concord, 2007)

With Keni Burke

 

You're the Best (RCA Records, 1981)

Changes (RCA Records, 1982)

With Tia Carrere

 

Dream (Reprise, 1993)

With Jean Carn

 

Trust Me (Motown, 1982)

With Miles Davis

 

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

With DeBarge

 

The DeBarges (Gordy, 1981)

In a Special Way (Gordy, 1983)

With George Duke

 

Faces in Reflection (MPS Records, 1974)

Feel (MPS Records, 1974)

The Aura Will Prevail (MPS Records, 1975)

I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry (MPS Records, 1975)

Liberated Fantasies (MPS Records, 1976)

From Me to You (Epic Records, 1977)

Reach for It (Epic Records, 1977)

Don't Let Go (Epic Records, 1978)

With Sheena Easton

 

No Strings (MCA Records, 1993)

With The Emotions

 

Come into Our World (Columbia, 1979)

With Fuse One

 

Fuse One (CTI, 1980)

Silk (CTI, 1981)

With Herbie Hancock

 

Mwandishi (Warner Bros., 1971)

Sunlight (Columbia, 1978)

With Eddie Harris

 

Excursions (Atlantic, 1973)

With Hampton Hawes

 

Universe (Prestige, 1972)

Blues for Walls (Prestige, 1973)

With Tramaine Hawkins

 

To a Higher Place (Columbia, 1994)

With Joe Henderson

 

The Elements (Milestone, 1974)

With Jennifer Holliday

 

The Song Is You (Shanachie, 2014)

With John Lee Hooker

 

The Healer (Chameleon, 1989)

With Phyllis Hyman

 

Can't We Fall in Love Again? (Arista, 1981)

With James Ingram

 

It's Your Night (Qwest, 1983)

With Michael Jackson

 

Thriller (Epic, 1982)

Bad (Epic, 1987)

With Gladys Knight & the Pips

 

Visions (Columbia Records, 1983)

With Patti LaBelle

 

Tasty (Epic, 1978)

With Labelle

 

Chameleon (Epic, 1976)

With Harold Land

 

Damisi (Mainstream, 1972)

Choma (Burn) (Mainstream, 1972)

With Azar Lawrence

 

Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974)

With Cheryl Lynn

 

Start Over (Manhattan, 1987)

With Wendy Matthews

 

The Witness Tree (rooArt, 1994)

With Letta Mbulu

 

In the Music the Village Never Ends (Munjae, 1983)

With The O'Jays

 

Identify Yourself (Philadelphia, 1979)

The Year 2000 (TSOP, 1980)

My Favorite Person (Philadelphia, 1982)

With Greg Phillinganes

 

Significant Gains (Planet, 1981)

With Jean-Luc Ponty

 

Upon the Wings of Music (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Julian Priester

 

Love, Love (ECM, 1973)

With Lionel Richie

 

Lionel Richie (Motown Records, 1982)

With LeAnn Rimes

 

What a Wonderful World (Curb, 2004)

With Minnie Riperton

 

Minnie (Capitol, 1979)

With Robbie Robertson

 

Storyville (Geffen, 1991)

With Kenny Rogers

 

Christmas (Liberty Records, 1981)

Love Will Turn You Around (Liberty Records, 1982)

We've Got Tonight (Liberty Records, 1983)

The Heart of the Matter (RCA Records, 1985)

With Patrice Rushen

 

Prelusion (Prestige Records, 1974)

Before the Dawn (Prestige Records, 1975)

Pizzazz (Elektra Records, 1979)

Posh (Elektra Records, 1980)

Signature (Discovery, 1997)

With Santana

 

Borboletta (Columbia, 1974)

Amigos (Columbia, 1976)

With Lalo Schifrin

 

No One Home (Tabu, 1979)

With Frank Sinatra

 

L.A. Is My Lady (Qwest, 1984)

With The Spinners

 

Grand Slam (Atlantic, 1982)

With Donna Summer

 

Donna Summer (Geffen, 1982)

With The Temptations

 

Reunion (Gordy, 1982)

With Tina Turner

 

Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984)

With Weather Report

 

Tale Spinnin' (Columbia, 1975)

With The Whispers

 

More of the Night (Capitol, 1990)

With Stevie Woods

 

Take Me to Your Heaven (Cotillon, 1981)

The Woman in My Life (Cotillion, 1982)

With Syreeta Wright

 

Syreeta (Tamla Records, 1980)

The Spell (Tamla Records, 1983)