Home » Jazz Musicians » Armando Peraza

Armando Peraza

Armando Peraza - congas, percussion

Armando Peraza is one of the most important and revered figures in the world of Latin percussion. A legendary master on both congas and bongo, whose unorthodox style and rich history are inspirations to countless younger musicians, many of today's top percussionists cite Armando as one of their biggest influences.

Armando Peraza was born in Havana, Cuba, on May 30, 1924. At the age of three he lost his father, Jose, to pneumonia. When he was seven years old, his mother, Francisca, died of liver failure. He lived with several different relatives over the next few years but by the time he was twelve years old he was supporting himself and living on his own.

He became proficient on the congas and bongos while playing with various bands in Cuba. By the late ‘40’s he was in the band Conjunto Kubavana, which at the time included his friend Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdes. Between 1944 and 1947, Conjunto Kubavana did a series of recordings for RCA Victor that included trademark boleros as well as guarachas.

Upon arriving in New York City in 1949, Armando was an instantly sought-after musician, especially in the contemporary Bebop and Latin Jazz scene. He proceeded to build upon a reputation of amazingly fast, complicated handwork, experimental techniques and a flair for showmanship. He thrived in progressive settings that combined Jazz and Afro-Cuban idioms and was at the vortex of a new musical expression named "Cubop." He has performed on more than 100 albums and is the songwriter of more than 40 songs. Some of these works include collaborations with Mongo Santamaria, George Shearing in the ‘50’s, Cal Tjader in the ‘60’s and Carlos Santana with whom he was with from 1972 to 1990.

During his long and prolific career, which has spanned more than 60 years, Armando Peraza has also performed and recorded with such musical icons as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, Josephine Baker, Art Tatum, Dave Brubeck, Eric Clapton, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Zappa, Rick James, Aretha Franklin and Jaco Pastorius. It's been noted that this cumulative, wide ranging, eclectic musical experience has arguably made Armando Peraza the most traveled and widely-heard percussionist.

He returned to his native Cuba in 2002, his first trip to the island in more than 50 years. In January 2003, LP unveiled the new LP Accents Armando Peraza Signature Series Congas and Bongos as a tribute to this percussion icon..

Now in semi-retirement and living in California, Peraza continues to hold workshops and play at jazz festivals around the world. Now in his 80s in 2005 he appeared on a recording by Bay Area musician John Santos. Santos' "20th Anniversary" set included the piece 'El Changü�- De Peraza', which highlighted Peraza's superb bongo playing.

Read more

Tags

11
Album Review

Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967

Read "Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967" reviewed by Troy Dostert


It would be unusual to hear vibraphonist Cal Tjader mentioned alongside the all-time greats on his instrument. He is not remembered for being a fearless improviser like Bobby Hutcherson, or as deeply soulful as Milt Jackson, or as hard-swinging a presence as Lionel Hampton. Moreover, one will search in vain in his biography for the hard-fought personal struggles that have typically been the bread and butter of jazz legend: no tortured tales of substance abuse, or bouts with poverty or ...

Read more articles
148

Festival

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco Announces Tribute to Armando Peraza

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco Announces Tribute to Armando Peraza

Source: Marshall Lamm Promotions & Public Relations

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival today announced, a Tribute to Armando Peraza, on Saturday, September 1 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. One of the most important and revered figures in the world of percussion, Armando Peraza continues to inspire and influence percussionists of all genres and ages around the world. Sponsored by LP Percussion, this tribute concert will feature many of today's top percussionists, who cite Armando as one of their biggest influences, including ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Catch The Groove:...

Jazz Detective
2023

buy

Stretchin' Out

Nagel Heyer Records
2023

buy

Wild Thing

DCC Jazz
1997

buy

Jazz Africa

Sine Qua Non
1994

buy

Wild Thing

Skyeways
1970

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.