Cal Tjader's Latin Concert

Performer: Cal Tjader
Artist: Vince Guaraldi; Willie Bobo; Mongo Santamaria; Al McKibbon
Distributor: Fantasy (distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Cal Tjader (vibraphone); Vince Guaraldi (piano); Al McKibbon (bass); Willie Bobo (drums, timbales); Mongo Santamaria (congas). Recorded live at the Blackhawk, San Francisco, California in September 1958. Originally released on Fantasy (8014). Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1991, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley). This CD reissue gives one a pretty good sampling of vibraphonist Cal Tjader's influential Latin-jazz of the 1950s. With pianist Vince Guaraldi, bassist Al McKibbon, Willie Bobo on timbales and drums and the congas of Mongo Santamaria, Tjader's impressive unit performs four of his catchy originals and two by Santamaria in addition to Latinized versions of "The Continental" and Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant." This highly rhythmic music is difficult to dislike. ~ Scott Yanow

Because he was a crossover success, vibraphonist/percussionist Cal Tjader received his share of derision from both sides of the jazz/Latin fence. However, his sincere interest in Latin rhythms and their potential for blending with cool jazz led to a groundbreaking fusion of the two, and a genuine hit with the tune "Soul Sauce" in 1965. An important conduit between the two styles, he helped bring percussionists Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo to a much wider audience. With practically a life lived on tour, it's almost fitting he was on the road (in the Phillipines) when he passed away at 56 in 1982.

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