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 On December 4, 2007, a renowned musician, innovative conguero, and
Latin Percussion design collaborator, Carlos
Valdez, whom the world knew affectionately
as “Patato”, died of respiratory failure. A Cuban of diminutive
stature, born November 4, 1926, he generated an enormous tonal presence
on congas that belied his modest size. And that rings especially true
in light of his passing. Now we shiver when hearing recordings that
display his monumental sound, the very thing death cannot claim.
As a youth, he was well known from Cuban television appearances, in
which he combined a theatrical flare, sometimes dancing around and
atop his congas, always maintaining solid musicality. Emigrating from
Cuba to New York in 1955, co-sponsored by Candido and Mongo Santamaria,
he quickly saw action with Kenny Dorham, Tito
Puente, Herbie Mann,
Dizzy Gillespie, and most major Latin and jazz figures of the day.
His melodic intentions frustrated by traditional fixed-tension instruments,
Patato pioneered the first tunable congas, which he put to good use
accompanying the great band leaders with melodic lines in addition
to the customary indigenous rhythms. Soon after he became a close friend
of LP founder Martin Cohen and advised Martin on a variety of technical
and design issues. The two were bound by an implicit trust and passion
for Latin music. Their collaboration resulted in the LP
Patato Model Congas, which became among the top-selling congas of all time.
Patato’s dramatic style garnered him a role in the classic Brigitte
Bardot film And God Made Woman. Here Patato gives the film
goddess a lesson in dancing the mambo.
 Patato was also well-recognized for his contributions to Latin music
and culture. The Puerto Rican
Jazz Festival, the International
Latin Music Hall of Fame, and the New
York Hispanic Entertainment Journalists were three among a distinguished list of institutions that recognized
Patato’s lifetime achievements with awards.
Many recordings, on the LP and other labels, showcase Patato’s
musicality. Examples on LP are Ready for Freddy and Authority.
But two revered ensembles most clearly express Patato’s legacy—his
indelible touch, organic tone, and sense of musical communion. One
is the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble, assembled by LP
founder Martin Cohen, which immortalized another LP artist, the late Tito
Puente,
documented on the recording Live at Montreux 1980. The other
is a later collaboration, The
Conga Kings, in which Patato performed
with fellow icons Candido
Camero and Giovanni
Hidalgo, recording several
significant albums. It was with the Conga Kings that Carlos “Patato” Valdez performed his last concert.
His melodic musical contribution and dancing legacy live on, as do
the LP
congas bearing his name. Latin Percussion mourns his passing.
Indeed, we shed a tear for our friend, collaborator and inspiration,
Carlos “Patato” Valdez.
LP Founder, Martin Cohen: "I first saw Patato
perform in the mid 1960s when he was working with Willie Bobo. It
was love at first sight. I adored him. His playing and his clown-like
antics. I became a close friend of his and wherever he performed
I would be there. Myself a Jew living in New Jersey would have been
rejected by his crowd of rumberos had it not been for him saying
I was "cool".
It was an instant "kosher" stamp
and I became known and respected by his inner circle." READ
MORE
SEE EXCLUSIVE PHOTO GALLERY BY LP FOUNDER MARTIN COHEN
Master conguero Giovanni Hidalgo: "Patato
was one of the pioneers who brought congas to America. He was also
a innovator of tuning the drums . He was our
father and he showed us a many ways to survive in this life in personal
and musical ways. He was a good example of how to be a great,respectful
gentleman. He is still with us...physically he had to leave, but
he lives on within all of us."
LP Artist Relations Director Steve Nigohosian: "Carlos
'Patato' Valdez
was a giant of a man who influenced so many people with his virtuousity
on congas and in dance. He was truly one of a kind and will always
remain a very special member of the LP family. We are fortunate to
have known him and to have had the opportunity to work with him. And
we are thankful that he left us with so much wonderful music for us
to remember him by."
To learn more about Carlos "Patato" Valdez
please visit the following pages:
In Remembrance:
Carlos "Patato" Valdez: 1926 - 2007
LP Takes Front and Center at the Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest Honoring
Patato
Happy Birthday, Patato
Carlos "Patato" Valdez
Receives Life Time Achievement Award
Patato
Jams in the LP Studio: OnlineVideo
Latin
Percussion: Patato and Candido Perform in the LP Studio: Online
Video
Tumbao
de Tamborito by The Conga Kings Live at B.B.Kings, New York City:
Online Video
Live at Montreux Jazz Fest: CD Review: Sound
Clip
The Conga Kings: CD Review: Sound Clip
Authority: CD Review: Sound Clip
Ready for Freddy: CD Review: Sound Clip
The Conga Kings - Jazz Descargas: CD Review: Sound Clip
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