Francisco Aguabella

Drummer/percussionist Francisco Aguabella emmigrated to New York City from his native Matanzas, Cuba -- where African music was a tradition -- in 1957. He follows a long line of Cuban drummers who made their mark in America: Chano Pozo, Patato Valdez, Candido, and Mongo Santamaria. Aguabella's music fuses traditional African and Latin rhythms with smooth jazz/soul for an electrifying sound. His proficiency on the Bata (talking drums of Yoruba origin) made him a wanted man. He first worked with Dizzy Gillespie, then Peggy Lee, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Weather Report, Cal Tjader, Frank Sinatra, Louie Bellson, Walfredo De Los Reyes, Nancy Wilson, Lalo Schiffrin, Machito, and Carlos Santana. He was an original member of Malo, which included George Santana; Malo had three LP releases and crisscrossed the States before disbanding. The Cubop label (which is also an apt description of Aguabella's music) is reissuing some of his early recordings on CD. The legendary drummer has participated in movie soundtracks and television scores. Producer Les Blank chronicled Aguabella's career in the documentary Sworn to the Drum. He also received a National Heritage Award from the National Endowment of the Arts. He's a visiting professor in U.C.L.A.'s Department of Ethnomusicology, where he teaches a basic and an advanced course in Afro-Cuban music. The Los Angeles resident performs along the West Coast with his group, Francisco Aguabella's Latin Jazz Ensemble.