Ray Barretto

 

Percussionist and band leader Raymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagán was born on 29 April, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Puerto Rican. He joined the US Army in 1946 and was stationed in Germany where he became interested in Latin music. He was racially abused during his active service but found himself welcome in a night club patronised by black servicemen. 

He completed his service and returned home in 1949 where he became a regular musician, and he is credited with introducing the conga drum to American jazz music. By 1960 he was a house musician for the Prestige, Blue Note and Riverside jazz music labels. In 1965 he signed to the United Artists label, then two years later found more success when he moved to the Fania record label. He often played sessions with rock musicians including the Rolling Stones.

In 1999 he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall Of Fame, and in 2006 was awarded the Jazz Masters Award by the US National Endowment For The Arts.

Mr Barretto died from heart failure and complications in Hackensack, New Jersey, US on 17 February 2006. His remains were flown to Puerto Rico for cremation.

Image: National Endowment For The Arts | Undated