25 Facts About Machito

Machito was raised in Havana with his sister, singer Graciela.

In New York City, Machito formed the Afro-Cubans in 1940, and with Mario Bauza as musical director, brought together Cuban rhythms and big band arrangements in one group.

Machito made numerous recordings from the 1940s to the 1980s, many with Graciela as singer.

Machito changed to a smaller ensemble format in 1975, touring Europe extensively.

Machito brought his son and daughter into the band, and received a Grammy Award in 1983, one year before he died.

Machito's music had an effect on the careers of many musicians who played in the Afro-Cubans over the years, and on those who were attracted to Latin jazz after hearing him.

Machito sometimes said he was a native Cuban from Havana.

Machito may have been born in 1908 in the Jesus Maria district of Havana or in Tampa, 1909 in the Marianao Beach district of Havana or in Tampa, 1912 in Tampa or Havana, or even 1915 in Havana.

Regardless of his place of birth, Machito was raised from an early age in the Jesus Maria district of Havana, where his sister Graciela was born August 23,1915.

Machito worked with several Latin artists and orchestras in the late 1930s, recording with Conjunto Moderno, Cuarteto Caney, Orchestra Siboney, and the bandleader Xavier Cugat.

Several weeks later, in early January 1941, Machito took on Mario Bauza as musical director; a role he retained for 34 years.

Machito was the front man and maraca player of the Afro Cubans, while Bauza determined the character of the band as musical director.

One of the items in the Kenton orchestra's repertoire was an idiomatic Afro-Cuban number known as "Machito", composed by Stan Kenton with Pete Rugolo and released as a Capitol 78 in 1947.

Graciela served as the lead singer of the Afro-Cubans for a year before Machito returned to front the band.

Later, Machito helped him get positions in other Latin bands.

Machito accepted a recording date with Stan Kenton in December 1947, playing maracas on the tune "The Peanut Vendor", which was a hit for Kenton.

The next month, the bands of both Kenton and Machito shared the stage at The Town Hall, New York setting off a surging interest in Cubop.

Machito named that style of music when he recorded an arrangement of Bauza's "Tanga" with the new title "Cubop City" in 1948.

Machito was sought after by record producers, and in his live shows he featured soloists Howard McGhee on trumpet and Brew Moore on tenor sax.

Machito's star was ascendant, and he played Carnegie Hall on February 11,1949, on a bill including Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Bud Powell and Coleman Hawkins.

Later in 1975, Machito determined that he would accept an invitation to tour Europe with a smaller eight-piece ensemble.

The family lived in Spanish Harlem at 112th Street and Second Avenue, where Machito enjoyed cooking for his children, writing the occasional song such as "Sopa de Pichon" while working in the kitchen.

Machito suffered a stroke before a concert in London, England in 1984, collapsing while waiting to go on stage at Ronnie Scott's club.

Machito died four days later on April 19,1984, at University College Hospital in London.

Machito lived as a young adult in an apartment on the southwest corner of the intersection.