Artist Bio:
Mongo Santamaria was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who played a significant role in popularizing Latin jazz in the United States. He formed the Mongo Santamaria Orch. in the 1960s, which featured a rotating cast of talented musicians. The orchestra's music was a fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, and R&B, creating a unique and infectious sound that appealed to a wide audience.
Santamaria is perhaps best known for his hit song "Watermelon Man," which became a jazz standard and a crossover success on the pop charts. Throughout his career, he collaborated with many prominent musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Cal Tjader. Mongo Santamaria Orch. continued to perform and record music until Santamaria's passing in 2003, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of Latin jazz.
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