Santamaría, Mongo

Santamaría, Mongo * April 17, 1917 – † February 1, 2003Santamaría, MongoMongo Santamaría A legendary conga player, Mongo Santamaría, also known as Mr. Watermelon Man, was a prominent Cuban-born percussionist whose work defined the Latin Jazz scene. He was the composer of the jazz standard »Afro Blue,« recorded by numerous artists, including John Coltrane. Ramón »Mongo« Santamaría Rodríguez was born in the Jesús María barrio of Havana, Cuba, the son of Ramón Santamaría and Felicia Rodríguez. He…