Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría (April 7, 1922 – February 1, 2003) was an Afro-Cuban drummer. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", as performed by John Coltrane among others. His 1963 hit rendition of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Latin jazz is the general term given to music that combines rhythms from African and Latin American countries with jazz harmonies from the United States. ... Album cover of A Love Supreme John Coltrane (September 23, 1926 - July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist. ... Watermelon Man is a song written by Herbie Hancock which first appeared on his 1962 album, Takin Off. ... The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have qualitative or historical significance. Alphabetical listing by title: List of Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients A-D List of Grammy Hall...
MongoSantamaria, an internationally renown percussionist, died on February 1st 2003 at a hospital in Miami.
Santamaria's propulsive skill as a conguero was a trademark of more than four decades of recording and performing, and punctuates his classic 1963 cover of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man," an unlikely, pre-Beatles hit in 1963 that hit Number Ten on the pop charts.
Santamaria may be better known in improvisational circles as the writer of "Afro Blue," a beautiful, melodic composition that worked its way into the repertoire of jazz mainstays from Dizzy Gillespie to John Coltrane.
Santamaria is survived by six children, eight grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
Mongo's body of work is an inspiration to many musicians and his 1963 recording of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" is a tune that will serve as a remembrance of Santamaria's legacy.
Mongo was also a friend and inspiration of mine, and his influence is part of the reason why I founded Latin Percussion.
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