Cubano Be, Cubano Bop, arranged by George Russell and recorded by the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band featuring Chano Pozo, New York, Dec. 22, 1947.
Luciano Pozo González, better known as Chano Pozo (January 7, 1915 in Havanna – December 3, 1948 in New York City) was an Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist, singer, dancer and composer who played a major role in the founding of Latin Jazz. Though he died young of unnatural causes, no discussion of Latin jazz is complete without mentioning his name and no discussion of the trumpet giant Dizzy Gillespie, the godfather of Latin jazz in the U.S., can begin without the name of Pozo, who was the first in a long line of Latin percussionists in Dizzy’s various bands. Dizzy’s dozens of Latin-flavored compositions, including the hit song “Manteca” and “Tin Tin Deo” (both co-written by Pozo), “Fiesta Mojo” and others – have Afro-Cuban drumming derived from the ritual rhythms of West Africa as their rhythmic backbones. Despite a short stint in Dizzy’s band abbreviated by Chano’s early death, Pozo’s influence could be felt in Dizzy’s playing and compositions for decades, which Dizzy acknowledged without hesitation. [source]
Dizzy Gillespie – Trumpet / Dave Burns – Trumpet / Elmon Wright – Trumpet /
Lamar Wright Jr. – Trumpet / Benny Bailey – Trumpet / William Shepherd – Trombone /
Ted Kelly – Trombone / John Brown – Alto Saxophone / Howard Johnson – Alto Saxophone /
Joe Gayles – Tenor Saxophones / Big Nick Nicholas – Tenor Saxophones /
Cecil Payne – Baritone Saxophone / John Lewis – Piano /Al McKibbon – Bass /
Kenny Clarke – Drums / Luciano “Chano” Pozo – Congas , Bongos.
