Editing Don Alias (section)

== Style and influence ==
Alias credited his playing style to Cuban and Puerto Rican hand drummers, whose techniques he said he picked up from the streets of New York.<ref name=":0" /> From this background, he often played congas, bongos, and other hand drums, rather than a traditional drum kit. 

Gene Perla was responsible for introducing Alias to singer-songwriter Nina Simone, for whom he switched gears and played a traditional full-set drum kit.<ref name=":0" /> This change did not present a challenge; instead, Alias thrived and eventually became her musical director.