Old Salsa Photos Thread
- Thread starter AguaDulce
- Start date
Orestes Vilató, born a day like today, May 4, 1944 in Camagüey, Cuba. multi-percussionist, Vilató is one of the most influential figures in the world of Latin percussion. His unique style on Cuban drums is one of the most imitated in the genre. He went to New York City at age 12.
He played charanga with Belisario Lopez and recorded and participate with Johnny Pacheco and Pupi Legarreta. He was for many years a member of Ray Barretto's band and later, Typica '73 and then took over the direction of Los Kimbos. Vilató also worked with Carlos Santana. His art has graced the stages and recording studios of numerous musical legends, from Aretha Franklin to Carlos Santana. Pioneering the salsa phenomenon on the US East Coast. Vilató played a significant role during the rise to fame of artists and musical institutions such as La Fania All Stars, Rubén Blades, Cachao, Celia Cruz, and many others.
After 25 years in New York, Orestes found new musical opportunities in Northern California, this time as a member of Santana’s band, forging his way into the Latin rock genre. As a result, his percussion virtuoso work became a substantial part of the music of numerous national and international artists in various styles, including Cuban music, Latin jazz, salsa, rock and many others. Oreste Vilató, It's About Time is the title of his first solo album, in which he composed, participated in the arrangements and was even encouraged to sing one of the 10 tracks.
This salsa album includes two tracks referring to two of his great friends who passed away, Ray Barretto (New York, 1929-New York, 2006), for whom he composed Remembering Ray and another unreleased one by Israel Lopez Cachao (Havana, 1918-Miami, 2008).
He played charanga with Belisario Lopez and recorded and participate with Johnny Pacheco and Pupi Legarreta. He was for many years a member of Ray Barretto's band and later, Typica '73 and then took over the direction of Los Kimbos. Vilató also worked with Carlos Santana. His art has graced the stages and recording studios of numerous musical legends, from Aretha Franklin to Carlos Santana. Pioneering the salsa phenomenon on the US East Coast. Vilató played a significant role during the rise to fame of artists and musical institutions such as La Fania All Stars, Rubén Blades, Cachao, Celia Cruz, and many others.
After 25 years in New York, Orestes found new musical opportunities in Northern California, this time as a member of Santana’s band, forging his way into the Latin rock genre. As a result, his percussion virtuoso work became a substantial part of the music of numerous national and international artists in various styles, including Cuban music, Latin jazz, salsa, rock and many others. Oreste Vilató, It's About Time is the title of his first solo album, in which he composed, participated in the arrangements and was even encouraged to sing one of the 10 tracks.
This salsa album includes two tracks referring to two of his great friends who passed away, Ray Barretto (New York, 1929-New York, 2006), for whom he composed Remembering Ray and another unreleased one by Israel Lopez Cachao (Havana, 1918-Miami, 2008).
Richie Blondet
Son Montuno
Great pic. May have been captured by Martin Cohen. That's around '72-'73 at a place called AND VINNIE'S where they used to have formal jam sessions (leaning more towards head arrangements). It was here that the nucleus of that first Tipica '73 group emerges from. Picture on trumpet is Rene Lopez, who is long retired as a musician and since the early 1980s was President of his own successful company out in Florida. Orestes smiling on timbales. I can't make out the gentleman in the back. But on the far lower right was the greatest modern conguero in the United States (before Giovanni Hidalgo came along) who passed away some time in the 1990s. Mr. Frankie Malabe.
ELADIO PEREZ was born on May 5, 1946 in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Excellent percussionist with a career that includes collaborations with Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Tommy Olivencia, Justo Betancourt and the Puerto Rico All Star, one of the main ones is the one he did with Eddie Palmieri, with whom he recorded nine albums, four of which were Grammy winners. He died on 30th July 2018.
Richie Blondet
Son Montuno
Wow. Had no idea he passed away. RIP Eladio. One of the original "Diablitos," along with Chucky Lopez and Nicky Marrero on all those great early '70s Eddie Palmieri LPs.
Richie Blondet
Son Montuno
This man is a living legend and deserves so much more recognition than what he has garnered. Particularly from the Grammy folks who, as far as I know, have never acknowledged him in any way.
He is the last living bandleader of the Palladium ballroom era in NYC during the 1950s who is still active (Orlando Marin is officially retired).
Happy birthday Willie! Que viva Mr. Afinque pa' rato!
Hector Alomar passed away a day like today, May 9, 2021, in Puerto Rico. Singer, percussionist and Director-Founder of his group: "Sexteto La 51". Other Groups: "Chacón and his Batyrhythmics", "Apollo Sound" with Roberto Roena, "The Conspiracy Orchestra" with Ernie Agosto, "Rafy Val and the Different", "Free Set" with Manny Oquendo, "Charanga Afrocubana", "Charanga America", "Orchestra Broadway", "Casanova and Su Montuno", "Batacumbele", "The Combo of Forever", "Zaperoco", Nacho Sanabria Orchestra, "Charanga La Tapa", "Grupo ABC", among others...
Chaqueta y Corbata!!!
