Daniel Ponce

Daniel Ponce (July 21, 1953 – March 14, 2013) In 1982, he played three batá drums as a session musician for the Herbie Hancock song "Rockit".

Although "Rockit" was a major hit for Hancock, it did not impact on Ponce's career. Verna Gillis, the director of Soundscape and the first person in the US to become involved with directing his career, produced his first few albums. These included New York Now (1982) and Arawe in 1983. Gillis also produced Ponce's collaboration with Celia Cruz, which rehearsed at Soundscape and performed at SOB's. He also did work as a session musician for Laurie Anderson, Mick Jagger, and Yoko Ono.

He married Maritza Rueda and they had a son Daniel Ponce, Jr.

He died on March 14, 2013, in Miami, Florida, from a heart attack.