Candido
Camero was born in Havana,
Cuba in 1921. He came to the United States in
July of 1946 with the dance team, Carmen and Rolando.
At that time, there was no bands using congas
outside of Dizzy Gillespie who on December 3,
1947 created in collaboration with Cuban conga
great, Chano Pozo, the tune Manteca. Dizzy took
Candido to meet jazz pianist, Billy Taylor and
after hearing him play, hired him to work at The
Downbeat Club. Candido pioneered playing more
than one percussion instrument at one time. In
the early 1950's he was performing as a featured
soloist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra using 3
congas, a guiro mounted to the a conga and a cowbell,
attached to a bass drum pedal.
Candido
is a musical giant hailed as one of the greatest
Cuban percussionists to come to America. His musical
gift is a powerful, driving force as he plays
percussion with fingers that demonstrate technical
ability with a love for music. Even when he performs
alone on stage, the stage seems full.
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