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		In the passing of Tom Flores, founder of Valje drums, we have lost a pioneer of American musical instrument making. Tom starting making drums in LA in 1954 and what started with a man in search of the perfect beat turned into the most sought after, and now oldest, brand of Cuban drums made in the U.S.. Valje congas, all handmade, are now classics of musical Americana and the originals are considered collector's items. Tom was born in Sonora, Mexico, on December 21, 1916, grew up in Colorado and served in World War II. After the war he settled in LA and began making his handcrafted Cuban drums. He kept the company small, slowly and steadily building Valje's reputation into one of the most respected percussion makers in the U.S.. From its inception in 1954 to its culmination in 1983, Valje attracted the top conga players in LA, such as Armondo Peraza and Pancho Sanchez, to its line of drums. In 1983 Tom sold the company to Haight Ashbury Music Center in San Francisco, effectively retiring from the business. The new operation continued handcrafting the Valje line until a tragic fire in 1986 destroyed the shop, ending Valje as a handmade US instrument. Tom Flores was an American original who had profound influence over percussion design with the founding and success of Valje. He passed away on June 5, 2001 and will be sorely missed.
An excerpt from a 1957 catalogue:
*Valje is an LP trademark and is now made in Thailand.