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| Conga Masters Bring the Language of Rhythm to Blue Note Legendary Afro-Cuban percussionists Francisco Aguabella, Candido Camero and Carlos “Patato” Valdes will fete Conga Master Ray Barretto in celebration of his 75th birthday at New York's famed Blue Note located at 131 West 3rd Street October 13 - 17. This rare event, produced by impresario Charles Carlini, will feature some of New York's leading jazz and Latin musicians including Nick Marrero, Myron Walden, Luis Perdomo, Joe Magnarelli, Vince Cherico, Hans Glawischnig, Dave Valentin, and Kenny Garrett. In the early 50s, young Ray Barretto was playing his congas at the renowned Apollo Theater in Harlem; and when he walked out later that night, he had impressed and performed with the legendary Charlie Parker. Since that evening of cubop, a mixture of bop and Latin rhythms, he has become a leading force in Latin music and jazz. Unlike most Latino percussionists, he came to Latin music from jazz, instead of from Latin music to jazz. He attributes this musical path to his originality and believes it's one of the reasons why he has been sought after by so many legends of jazz. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, Lou Donaldson, Roy Haynes, Donald Byrd, Max Roach and other jazz greats. While leading his own stellar Latin jazz bands, his congas have graced more recording sessions than any other conguero. Barretto, born of Puerto Rican stock in New York in 1929, started playing congas while stationed in Germany during a stint in the Army. Upon his return, he began working on the New York jazz scene and eventually replaced Mongo Santamaria in Tito Puente's band, in which he laid down a contagious beat for four years. He recorded on the Riverside label and in 1967, moved over to Fania, later becoming the director of the dynamic Fania All-Stars. In the 70s, he began to incorporate rock and funk influences into his music while recording for Atlantic. In 1981, he released La Cuna, a critically acclaimed album on CTI, with special guests Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri and Joe Farrell. Then, in 1992, he unveiled his new Latin jazz sextet, New World Spirit, and took the music scene by storm. write your comments about the article :: © 2004 Jazz News :: home page |