Machito
Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, known professionally as Machito, was a pioneering Cuban American musician born around December 3, 1909, in Havana, Cuba. Raised in a musically inclined family, Machito's early exposure to Afro-Cuban rhythms set the foundation for his influential career in Latin jazz. He began his musical journey in the late 1920s, performing with renowned Cuban ensembles such as Ignacio Piñeiro’s Septeto Nacional.
In 1937, Machito moved to New York City, where he joined forces with his brother-in-law, Mario Bauzá, to form the Afro-Cubans in 1940. This ensemble was instrumental in merging Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz, creating a new genre known as Cubop or Afro-Cuban jazz. Their 1943 recording of "Tanga" is considered the first Afro-Cuban jazz recording. The band became a staple in the New York jazz scene, performing at venues like the Palladium Ballroom and influencing a generation of musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.
Throughout his career, Machito collaborated with notable jazz figures and recorded extensively from the 1940s to the 1980s. In the mid-1970s, he transitioned to a smaller ensemble format, touring internationally and incorporating his children into the band. His contributions to music were recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for Best Latin Recording.
Machito passed away on April 15, 1984, in London, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the development of Latin jazz and a bridge between Cuban music and the American jazz tradition. His influence is commemorated with "Machito Square" in East Harlem, New York.
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