Artist Bio:
Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader, born on April 7, 1917, in Havana, Cuba. He is considered one of the most influential Latin jazz musicians of his time. Santamaría was known for his unique blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz, which helped popularize Latin music in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. He was a skilled conga player and is credited with introducing the conga drum to jazz music, influencing generations of musicians.
Santamaría had a successful career as a bandleader, recording over 50 albums and collaborating with many jazz and Latin music luminaries, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Cal Tjader. One of his most famous compositions is the song "Afro Blue," which has been recorded by numerous artists and has become a jazz standard. Santamaría passed away on February 1, 2003, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music.
No comments yet. Login to share your thoughts!