Candido

Cuban Jazz Percussion Pioneer

Cuban-born percussionist (mainly conga and bongo) who backed many Afro-Cuban and straight-ahead jazz acts starting in the 1950s. Born April 22, 1921 in Regla (Havana), Cuba. Died November, 7, 2020 in New York, USA. He started his career as a percussionist for various groups in Havana, performing at the nightclubs and radio stations. He moved to New York in 1946 and started recording with Machito and Dizzy Gillespie. During 1953-1954 he was in the Billy Taylor quartet and in 1954 he performed and recorded with Stan Kenton. He also enjoyed some hits during the disco era, most notably with his cover of Babatunde Olatunji's classic "Jingo", which he recorded for Salsoul Records.