List of descarga musicians

A descarga is an improvised jam session consisting of variations on Cuban music themes, sometimes incorporating elements from other Latin American traditions. Since the 1950s, descargas have enjoyed great popularity in the Latin music community, with many musicians and ensembles attaining international fame due to their descarga performances. This list compiles musicians which are widely considered to have become notable, at least in part, due to their descargas.[1][2][3]

List

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Name Instrument Additional roles Years active[nb 1] Scene
Johnny Aguiló percussion director 2000s Miami
Rolando Aguiló trumpet director 1950s–1970s Havana, New York
Carlos Arado trumpet director 1950s–1960s Havana
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros trumpet, flugelhorn arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, New York
Armando Armenteros trumpet 1950s–1960s Havana
Guillermo Barreto timbales, drums director 1950s–1990s Havana
Ray Barretto congas director 1960s–2000s New York
Cachaíto double bass director 1950s–2000s Havana
Cachao double bass director, arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, Miami, New York
Cándido Camero congas director 1950s–2010s Havana, New York
Bobby Carcassés trumpet, vocals director 1950s–2000s Havana
Roberto Carcassés piano arranger 1990s–2010s Havana
Yoyo Casteleiro piano director, arranger 1950s–1960s Havana
Félix Chappottín trumpet director, arranger 1950s–1970s Havana
Willie Colón trombone, vocals director 1960s–present New York
Sal Cuevas double bass director 1970s–2010s New York
Richard Egües flute director, arranger 1950s–2000s Havana
Leopoldo "Pucho" Escalante trombone director 1950s–1990s Havana
José Fajardo flute director, arranger 1950s–1960s Havana, Miami, New York
Alfredo de la Fé violin director, arranger 1970s–present Havana, New York, Bogotá
Francisco Fellove vocals director 1950s–2000s Havana, Mexico City
Nelson González tres 1970s–present New York
Julio Gutiérrez piano director, arranger 1950s–1980s Havana, Miami, New York
Generoso Jiménez trombone director, arranger 1950s–1960s, 2000s Havana, Miami
Kako timbales 1960s–1970s New York
Félix “Pupi” Legarreta violin, flute director, arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, New York
Orestes López piano 1950s–1960s Havana
Rolando Lozano flute director 1950s–1970s Havana, New York, Los Angeles
Papo Lucca piano arranger 1960s–2000s Ponce
Juanito Márquez tres director 1950s–1990s Havana, Madrid, Miami
Nicky Marrero timbales 1970s–2000s New York
Osvaldo "Chihuahua" Martínez güiro director 1960s–1980s New York
Chico O'Farrill trumpet director, arranger 1950s–1990s Havana, New York
Johnny Pacheco flute, güiro director 1960s–2000s New York
Charlie Palmieri piano director 1950s–1980s New York
Eddie Palmieri piano director 1960s–present New York
Peruchín piano director, arranger 1950s–1970s Havana
Tito Puente timbales director 1950s–1990s New York
Walfredo de los Reyes timbales director 1950s–2000s Havana, Miami, San Juan
Niño Rivera tres director, arranger 1950s–1980s Havana
Paquito D'Rivera alto saxophone, clarinet director, arranger 1970s–2010s Havana, New York
Charlie Rodríguez tres director 1970s–2000s New York
Alfredo Rodríguez piano director 1970s–2000s Havana, New York, Paris
Barry Rogers trombone arranger 1960s–1990s New York
Arturo Sandoval trumpet director, arranger 1970s–2010s Havana, Miami
Mongo Santamaría congas, bongos director 1950s–1990s Havana, New York
José "Chombo" Silva tenor saxophone, violin 1950s–1990s Havana, New York
Tata Güines congas director 1950s–2000s Havana
Néstor Torres flute director 1970s–present New York, Miami
Alfredo Valdés Jr. piano director, arranger 1950s–2000s New York, Los Angeles
Amadito Valdés timbales 1960s–2010s Havana
Bebo Valdés piano director, arranger 1950s, 1990s–2000s Havana, Stockholm
Carlos "Patato" Valdés congas director 1950s–2000s Havana, New York
Chucho Valdés piano director, arranger 1960s–present Havana
Alejandro "El Negro" Vivar trumpet 1950s–1970s Havana, Miami, New York
Salvador "Bol" Vivar double bass 1950s–1960s Havana

Notes

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  1. ^ Time frames include descarga performances and recordings only.

References

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  1. ^ Acosta, Leonardo (2000). Descarga cubana: el jazz en Cuba, 1900-1950. Havana, Cuba: Ediciones Unión.
  2. ^ Acosta, Leonardo (2002). Descarga número dos: el jazz en Cuba, 1950-2002. Havana, Cuba: Ediciones Unión.
  3. ^ Salazar, Max (February 1997). "La Descarga Cubana: The Beginning and Its Best". Latin Beat Magazine. Vol. 7, no. 1. Retrieved October 20, 2015.