Flushing Town Hall remembers late
Cuban percussionist Cándido Camero
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | NOV. 20-NOV. 26, 2020 5
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Cándido Camero, a legendary Cuban
drummer who was known as the
father of Latin jazz, died at the age of 99
on Nov. 7 at his home in New York.
Camero was born in Havana, Cuba,
in 1921. He is credited with being the
first percussionist to bring conga drumming
to jazz and was recognized for his
contributions to the development of
mambo and Afro-Cuban jazz.
Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic
director of Flushing Town Hall, said
they were “deeply saddened” to learn of
Camero’s passing.
“Like so many of his admirers, we
are gratified that he lived such a long
life and grateful for the music he played
up until the very end,” Kodadek said.
Camero joined Flushing Town Hall
in September 2019 to celebrate the
season’s launch with a performance
from Canadian Afro-Cuban artists
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. He then
returned in November to perform in
the once-in-a-lifetime Gathering of the
Masters alongside fellow greats Paquito
D’Rivera, Joanne Brackeen, Jimmy
Owens, Jimmy Cobb, and Reggie
Workman.
“We were amazed when, during his
percussion solo at our concert last November,
he played the melody to Dizzy
Gillespie’s composition “Manteca” on
his congas,” Kodadek said. “That was
his magic and mastery.”
Incidentally, “Manteca” was co-written
by another Cuban-born percussionist,
Chano Pozo, who was also very important
in establishing the Latin Jazz
genre and surely an idol to Camero.
According to Kodadek, it was their
first time presenting six NEA Jazz Masters
together on stage — two of them
Cuban-born, Cándido and Paquito.
“Cándido’s flying fingers defied
their age and stole the show,” Kodadek
said.
Camero is remembered as an extraordinary
talent and innovator.
A pioneer of the Latin Jazz genre,
Camero played with the best of the best,
including Charlie Parker, Tony Bennett,
Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and
Machito. He is noted for being one of the
first percussionists to play multiple congas
at the same time, with each conga
tuned to a different pitch, enabling him
to play not only rhythm but melodies.
“As a presenter of world-class jazz
and global arts, Flushing Town Hall
takes great pride in showcasing legendary
artists like Cándido on our stage
and ensuring their masterful work is
accessible to all,” Kodadek said. “On behalf
of Flushing Town Hall, we wish el
maestro a peaceful rest and extend our
condolences to his beloved family and
colleagues around the world.”
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed
by e-mail at cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
Cándido Camero performs with Paquito D’Rivera at Flushing Town Hall in November
2019. Courtesy of Flushing Town Hall
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