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 One would think that a gig with Tito Puente's world-renown band would keep a percussionist busy enough. But performer, arranger, and composer Jose Madera has still found the time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands around.
Before teaming up with Tito Puente 25 years ago, Madera played a four-year stint with the famous Machito Orchestra, and recorded with a host of noted r&b artists (including James Brown, Diana Ross, David Sanborn, and the Aztec Two-Step). As staff arranger for Fania Records, he performed on several commercial hits, and over the years has written music for the Fania All-Stars, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon, and Celia Cruz. Although he's recorded roughly 75 albums in 20 years, as well as numerous radio jingles and motion picture soundtracks, Madera still finds the time for his other career: For 15 years he has worked as a teacher and bandleader at a privately funded junior high school for the performing arts in New York City.
Madera's saxophonist father, Jose "Pin" Madera, was one of the original members of Machito's Afro-Cuban orchestra. The younger Jose was influenced first by Machito's drummer Ubaldo Nieto ("the bast Latin big-band drummer I've ever heard") and at age 11, started playing timbales. He was further influenced by Jose Mangual, Sr. and Tito Puente himself. LP'sTimbale Cowbell (circa 1966) was Madera's first piece of LP gear; these days, he plays an assortment of LP congas, bongos, guiros, and cowbells.
"Compared to the instruments used years ago, the sounds I get from LP instruments are very authentic. As an arranger, it's gratifying to know that anything I write will be accompanied by LP instruments, which will only enhance the quality of the performance."
Equipment list: LP
Classic Congas, LP
bongos, guiros,
and cowbells
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