|
 Kako:
June 21, 1936 - July 29, 1994
Francisco "Kako" Bastar
was born in San Juan Puerto Rico June 21, 1936.
He was
one of the most electrifying band leaders that
I encountered when I entered the dance venues
of the 1960s. He played timbales, his quinto
playing was well known, and he was a dancer.
At
one point in the 1960s he, along with Carlos "Patato" Valdez,
led a Latin jazz band that performed regularly
in a bar on Webster Avenue in the Bronx. I
hardly missed a week. The music was ahead of
its times.
Kako
performed and recorded with legends like Mongo
Santamaria (Watermelon Man), Arsenio Rodriguez,
Machito, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera. He
was the co-founder of the Alegre All-Stars
along with Charlie Palmieri. Kako's finest
moment was when he was asked by the king, Tito
Puente, to sit in with his big band when Tito
was ill.
Sadly, Kako passed away too young
on July 29, 1994. His son, Richie Bastar, carries
on the tradition of music greatness. His grandsons
are renowned mambo dancers.
HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY KAKO!
|
