Latin
Jazz conguero and bandleader Ramón "Mongo"
Santamaria, unfortunately passed away in Miami,
Florida, on February 1st, 2003 at the age of 85.
Santamaria is survived by six children, eight grandchildren,
and a great-grandchild.
Mongo's body of work is an inspiration to many musicians
and his 1963 recording of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon
Man" is a tune that will serve as a remembrance
of Santamaria's legacy. His contribution to Latin
Jazz is one that will continue to inspire musicians
for years to come.
Mongo
was also a friend and inspiration of mine, and
his influence is part of the reason why I founded
Latin Percussion.
Mongo
Santamaria had perhaps a most powerful impact
on my career and thereby on LP, the company that
I founded in 1964. I had already fallen in love
with Latin Jazz and the mambo but it's when I
saw this giant of Afro-Caribbean music perform
with Cal Tjader at the Village Gate in New York
City in 1961 or 1962, my life was changed forever.
His performance was powerful, virtuosi and mesmerizing,
and it confirmed the fact that I wanted to be
involved with Latin music.
In
talking with Marty Sheller one evening he said
that the great thing about working with Mongo
was that he could count on a brilliant performance
from him every evening. Percussionist, Steve
Thornton, owes so much of his success to the
friendship he shared with Mongo.
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Mongo
Santamaria and Armando Peraza |
His
early friendship to me was what I needed to
point me in the right direction. He did more
to place the conga in a big world of music outside
of the traditional.
I will always owe a debt of gratitude to this
master.
--Martin Cohen
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