Leon "Ndugu" Chancler

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,[2] and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson.

He recorded as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including instantly recognizable drums on "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.[3][4] In 1982, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues song, for co-writing "Let It Whip" made famous by the Dazz Band.[5] 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,[4] he became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California[6] and taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California for three weeks every summer.[7] He was a member of the Percussive Arts Society.[8]

Chancler was given the name "Ndugu" by musical icon Herbie Hancock during his time with Hancock's Mwandishi band. He was known as Leon (Ndugu) Chancler, or sometimes Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu is Swahili for “earth brother,” a family member or comrade.[9]

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.

Chancler died at his home in Los Angeles, California on February 3, 2018 of prostate cancer, at the age of 65.[10][11][6][9] A song, "Home Light," written by Ernie Watts and Marc Seales, was dedicated to Chancler. It was the title track of a 2018 album by the Ernie Watts Quartet.

With Miles Davis

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

With George Duke

• Feel (Verve, 1974)

Reach For It (George Duke album) With Patti LaBelle

• Tasty (Epic, 1978)

With Eddie Harris

• Excursions (Atlantic, 1966–73)

With Syreeta Wright

• Syreeta (Tamla Records, 1980)
• The Spell (Tamla Records, 1983)

With Hampton Hawes

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

With Kenny Rogers

• Christmas (Liberty Records, 1981)
• Love Will Turn You Around (Liberty Records, 1982)
• We've Got Tonight (Liberty Records, 1983)

With LeAnn Rimes

• What a Wonderful World (Curb, 2004)

With Sheena Easton

• No Strings (MCA Records, 1993)

With Peabo Bryson

• All My Love (Capitol, 1989)
• Missing You (Concord, 2007)

With Joe Henderson

• The Elements (Milestone, 1974)

With George Benson

• Love Remembers (Warner Bros., 1993)

With Cheryl Lynn

• Start Over (Manhattan, 1987)

With John Lee Hooker

• The Healer (Chameleon, 1989)

With Tina Turner

• Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984)

With Michael Jackson

• Thriller (Epic, 1982)
• Bad (Epic, 1987)

With Harold Land

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

With Minnie Riperton

• Minnie (Capitol, 1979)

With Azar Lawrence

• Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974)

With Julian Priester

• Love, Love (ECM, 1973)

With Santana

• Borboletta (Columbia, 1974)
• Amigos (Columbia, 1976)

With Lalo Schifrin

• No One Home (Tabu, 1979)

With Weather Report

• Tale Spinnin' (Columbia, 1975)

• Chancler, Ndugu (2013). Pocket Change. Drumsong Music Company. ISBN 978-1483585789.

• Ndugu Chancler discography at Discogs
• Ndugu Chancler on IMDb
• Ndugu Chancler interview at NAMM Oral History Program