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Mid-performance,
Patato shed a few tears as he acknowledged Puerto Rico as
his “segunda patria” (second home). Giovanni
Hidalgo is on the right. |
Several of LP's most distinguished percussionists were front and center
at this years Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest 2002. In recognition of Carlos
"Patato" Valdéz' significant contributions to the
world of percussion and Latin Jazz, the sponsors of the festival held at
the Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan, Puerto Rico, dedicated the festival
in his honor.
For over forty years Patato Valdéz' melodic rhythmic style and precise
sense of timing has made him one of the most influential congueros in the
world. Born in 1926 in Havana, Cuba, Patato came to the United States in
the mid 1950's, making his mark in jazz history as a musical pioneer, infusing
Caribbean rhythms with traditional jazz. He has recorded and performed with
such greats as Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo
Santamaria, Max Roach, Tito
Puente, Mario Bauza, Chico O'Farrell, Jorge Dalto and Machito.
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| Patato
accepted his achievement award from legendary Puerto Rican
Singer Danny Rivera. |
During the late 1940's, Patato helped develop the first tunable congas.
His interest in design, as well as his friendship with LP
Founder Martin Cohen, led to the development of the LP
Patato Model Conga, one of the top-selling conga drums of all time.
Heineken JazzFest 2002 also featured LP conguero extraordinaire and Puerto
Rico's native son, Giovanni
Hidalgo (LP
Galaxy® Giovanni Series Congas) and his sextet featuring, Carlos
Rodriguez (LP
Tito Puente Timbales & LP
Bongos), Eduardo Rivera (bass), Able Pabón (piano), David Rodriguez
(trumpet), Antonio "Tonito"
Vasquez (trombone), Ricky Martinez (accordion). Other LP artists performing
included were renowned Latin Jazz drummers, Ignacio
Berroa, performing with Charlie Haden, and Victor Jones performing with
Papo Vázquez' Pirates and Troubadours.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend of outstanding Latin Jazz performances
which emphasized the importance of percussion in the world of music.
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