Bassist and trumpeter Bobby Valentin contributed greatly to the Fania All-Stars during the '70s (he was their principle arranger) and recorded numerous solo albums during the period, moving from boogaloo and Latin soul into salsa as his career progressed. Born in Puerto Rico in 1941, Valentin was taught guitar by his father before he even... [+] Read More

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A rising star on the Latin-jazz circuit. His current release features prominent Latin players like Arturo Ortiz, Ruben Rodriquez, and Adam Cruz, as well as young-lion tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, and is spiced by excellent originals. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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Dave Valentin, who has recorded over 15 albums for GRP, combines together the influence of pop, R&B, and Brazilian music with Latin jazz to create a slick and accessible form of crossover jazz. At age nine, Valentin enjoyed playing bongos and congas. He gigged at Latin clubs in New York from age 12 and it was not until he was 18 that he... [+] Read More

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Neglected by many because of his early death and lack of recording, Larry Levan is one of the seminal names in dance music, a legendary inspiration during the 1970s and '80s. Influenced by David Mancuso's seminal Loft parties, which presaged disco by more than five years, Levan took his cue and transferred those communal vibes to clubland with... [+] Read More

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Though he got an early start, Leon Bryant enjoyed more success early on than later in his career. He started classical training at five and was a choral musical director at 12. His composition "You Are My Latin Lover" was a hit for Joe Bataan in 1980. Bryant's 1981 self-titled debut blended gospel and soul, as did the second Finders Keepers in... [+] Read More

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Piano player Monguito Santamaria recorded a series of LPs for Fania during the late '60s and early '70s that earned notice for their bass-heavy grooves and anthemic status for Latin soul fans. The son of Afro-Cuban conga hero Mongo Santamaria (and not to be confused with the vocalist Monguito who recorded with Johnny Pacheco), Monguito... [+] Read More

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Willie Bobo was one of the great Latin percussionists of his time, a relentless swinger on the congas and timbales, a flamboyant showman onstage, and an engaging if modestly endowed singer. He also made serious inroads into the pop, R&B and straight jazz worlds, and he always said that his favorite song was Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Dindi."... [+] Read More

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This Latin-jazz and progressive ensemble is led by multi-percussionist Mark Holen. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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