Machito And His Salsa Big Band 1982

Machito (born Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, February 16, 1908? – April 19, 1984) was an influential Latin jazz musician who helped to refine Afro-Cuban jazz and to create both Cubop and salsa music. He was raised in Havana alongside the singer Graciela, his foster sister.

By virtue of his warm, flamboyant stage manner, longevity, constant touring, and appearances in the mass media, Tito Puente is probably the most beloved symbol of Latin jazz. But more than that, Puente managed to keep his music remarkably fresh over the decades; as a timbales virtuoso, he combined mastery over every rhythmic nuance with old-fashioned showmanship — watching his eyes bug out when taking a dynamic solo was one of the great treats for Latin jazz fans. A trained musician, he was also a fine, lyrical vibraphonist, a gifted arranger, and played piano, congas, bongos, and saxophone.