Legendary Cuban drummer Cándido Camero dies aged 99

Legendary Cuban drummer Cándido Camero had died aged 99.

The artist known simply as Cándido, who passed away at his New York home on Saturday morning, was a virtuoso on the congas, bongos and a Cuban guitar called the tres. He is considered one of the fathers of Latin jazz, having first made his name in Havana before coming to New York in the 1940s. Over the years, he performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and countless others.

Cándido’s career also extended beyond Latin jazz. Disco and electronic music fans may know him best for ’70s tunes like “Thousand Finger Man,” “Jingo” and “I’m On My Way.” In addition to his music, he was revered for being the first person to play more than one conga at a time, made possible using innovative drumming techniques.

“I was sad to hear of the passing of Cándido this morning—he was 99,” Gilles Peterson wrote on Facebook. “His congas appear on some of my absolute favourite tunes… Alongside Chano Pozo and Machito he brought the Cuban influence to jazz… And with Billy Taylor on “Mambo Inn” or Art Blakey on “Cubano Chant,” he got played HARD throughout my years on the radio and clubs and pubs!”

Listen to “Thousand Finger Man,” and read some of the tributes to Cándido.

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