Machito, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Machito

Latin jazz musician

Date of Birth: 16-Feb-1912

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States

Date of Death: 15-Apr-1984

Profession: conductor, singer, songwriter, bandleader, percussionist, jazz musician

Nationality: United States, Cuba

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius


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About Machito

  • Machito (born Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, February 16, 1908 – April 19, 1984) was a Latin jazz musician who helped refine Afro-Cuban jazz and create both Cubop and salsa music.
  • He was raised in Havana with the singer Graciela, his foster sister. In New York City, Machito formed the band the Afro-Cubans in 1940, and with Mario Bauzá as musical director, brought together Cuban rhythms and big band arrangements in one group.
  • He made numerous recordings from the 1940s to the 1980s, many with Graciela as singer.
  • Machito changed to a smaller ensemble format in 1975, touring Europe extensively.
  • He brought his son and daughter into the band, and received a Grammy Award in 1983, one year before he died. Machito's music had an effect on the lives of many musicians who played in the Afro-Cubans over the years, and on those who were attracted to Latin jazz after hearing him.
  • George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Stan Kenton credited Machito as an influence.
  • An intersection in East Harlem is named "Machito Square" in his honor.

Read more at Wikipedia