Patato 11-3/4" Conga

1926 - 2007

Carlos "Patato" Valdes

Patato pioneered the first tunable congas, which he put to good use accompanying the great band leaders of his day with melodic lines in addition to the customary rhythms. He became a close friend of the company in its early days, advising on a variety of technical and design issues and his collaboration resulted in the LP Patato Model Congas, which became some of the top-selling congas of all time

Emigrating from Cuba to New York in 1955, he quickly saw action with Kenny Dorham, Tito Puente, Herbie Mann, Dizzy Gillespie, and most major Latin and jazz figures of the time.

Many recordings showcase Patato’s musicality including Ready for Freddy and Authority. However, two revered ensembles, The Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble, with the late Tito Puente, documented on the recording Live at Montreux 1980 as well as The Conga Kings that included fellow icons Candido Camero and Giovanni Hidalgo most clearly express Patato’s legacy of an indelible touch, organic tones, and a sense of musical communion. The Puerto Rican Jazz Festival, the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, and the New York Hispanic Entertainment Journalists are among many institutions that recognized Patato’s lifetime achievements with awards. Latin Percussion still mourns his passing but his melodic musical contribution and dancing legacy live on, as do the LP congas bearing his name.