King of the Conga
Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
A Latin jazz pioneer for more than 40 years, bandleader and percussionist Ray
Barretto has graced concert stages with the likes of Tito Puente, Charlie Parker,
and Max Roach. The revered conguero stops by to discuss his career-long balance
between his Puerto Rican musical roots and his love for bebop. Singer-songwriter-pianist
James Angell will also be in the studio for a live performance and a conversation
about his recent collaboration with Sir Paul McCartney.
As a child in the Bronx, Ray Barretto loved the music of such big-band luminaries as Glen Miller and Duke Ellington. As an army private, he got turned on to the bebop of Dizzy Gillespie, particularly a tune called "Manteca," which featured conguero Chano Pozo.
More about Ray Barretto
More about Ray Barretto’s recordings
As a child in the Bronx, Ray Barretto loved the music of such big-band luminaries as Glen Miller and Duke Ellington. As an army private, he got turned on to the bebop of Dizzy Gillespie, particularly a tune called "Manteca," which featured conguero Chano Pozo.
More about Ray Barretto
More about Ray Barretto’s recordings
Once the singer and songwriter for an influential Portland band during the
mid-Nineties grunge rock explosion, James Angell has since recorded music that
recalls the melodies of the Baptist hymns he listened to as a child.
More about James Angell
The world premiere of Sir Paul McCartney’s musical tribute to his wife
formally launched The Garland Appeal fund for cancer research.
More about The Garland
Appeal
