Ndugu Chancler

Leon ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー joined Herbie HancockHerbie Hancockハービー・ハンコック's avant-garde Mwandishi band in 1971. Percussionist James Mtume assigned Swahili names to each member based on their personalities — Chancler received 'Ndugu' (brother). Hancock became 'Mwandishi' (composer), Billy Hart became 'Jabali' (rock), Eddie Henderson became 'Mganga' (doctor). Chancler loved the name and used it for the rest of his career.

— Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler — Percussive Arts Society

How Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー joined Weather Report: pure chance. While recording with Jean-Luc Ponty next door, he bumped into Joe Zawinul on the sidewalk. "What are you doing the next two days?" What was supposed to be one session lasted a week and became the entire Tale Spinnin' album. He was offered a permanent spot but turned it down to stay with Santana.

— Weather Report Annotated Discography: Leon Ndugu Chancler

Amigos

Santana · 1976

The drummer on Santana's iconic "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)" (1976) was Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー. On the Amigos album he wore three hats: drummer, songwriter (co-writing "Dance Sister Dance" and "Take Me With You"), and associate producer.

— Amigos (Santana album) - Wikipedia

Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー and George Duke collaborated for nearly a decade (1972-1980). On Reach for It (1977) he co-wrote the title track and played drums, roto-toms, timbales, and vocals. He appeared on virtually every Duke album of the golden fusion era — Don't Let Go, Follow the Rainbow, I Love the Blues She Heard My Cry.

— George Duke 1970s Discography

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

The drummer on 'Billie Jean' — Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー — was a jazz musician who had played with Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard while still in college. His name 'Ndugu' (Swahili for 'brother') was given to him by Herbie HancockHerbie Hancockハービー・ハンコック during his time in Hancock's avant-garde Mwandishi band. He also played with Weather Report. Pop history's most recognizable drum groove was the work of a jazz drummer. Chancler also played drums on 'P.Y.T.' and 'Baby Be Mine' on Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's Thriller.

— Ndugu Chancler, Drummer on 'Billie Jean,' Dead at 65 — Rolling Stone

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー's Michael Jackson work went beyond Thriller (1982). On Bad (1987) he played drums on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (the duet with Siedah Garrett). All through Quincy Jones, he played on four Jackson tracks total including "Billie Jean," "P.Y.T.," and "Baby Be Mine."

— Ndugu Chancler, Drummer on 'Billie Jean,' Dead at 65 — Rolling Stone