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 Tony Bennett and Candido CameroIván Acosta, president of Latin Jazz USA, recently broke the
news. Legendary Cuban-American percussionist, Candido
Camero, has been
named a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master. The prestigious
award will be conferred during a formal ceremony in October 2007 in
New York City. On that momentous occasion, Candido will assume his
rightful place among paragons of “America’s classical music”.
As a NEA Jazz Master, Candido joins an illustrious roster that includes
Count Basie, Miles Davis, Billy Taylor, Sarah Vaughan, Milt Hinton,
Ray Barretto, Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy Scott, Chick Corea, and Tony Bennett.
Each NEA Jazz Master is recognized for having made an enduring contribution
to the cultural heritage and performance standards of jazz. In the
coming months, Candido will join fellow NEA honoree Ramsey Lewis for
a special Legends of Jazz tribute to Jazz Master recipients to be aired
on public television.
Candido Camero, the subject of Ivan
Acosta’s documentary,“Candido
Hands of Fire”, was born in Havana, Cuba in 1921. Candido, among
a host of accomplishments, revolutionized the role of the conguero
by performing on three congas instead of the customary single drum.
His melodic lines and nimble touch were much sought after when he moved
to America in 1946. In New York, Candido was a key figure in transforming
the folkloric son into uptown salsa. A seminal figure in the golden
age of Latin jazz, he performed in Billy Taylor’s quartet; he
was a contemporary of Mario Bauza; and he recorded and toured with
Dizzie Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Art
Blakey, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich, Stan Getz, Randy Weston, Count Basie,
Wes Montgomery, Lionel Hampton, Tito
Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Celia
Cruz, Bobby Sanabria, Paquito D’Rivera, Antonio Carlos Jobim,
Machito, Eddy Palmieri, Tony Bennett, and many other legendary jazz
musicians.
The NEA recognizes that Candido Camero, after close to seventy years
making music, is a pioneering exponent of Afro-Cuban and American jazz.
Amazingly, although well into his eighties, Candido is still a vibrant
performer. Recently, he recorded the acclaimed CD Inolvidable, which
reunited him with the great son singer Graciela Perez. And this summer,
Candido’s latest live recording is set for release on Latin Jazz
USA Records. For recording dates and concerts, Candido
plays his signature LP congas, instantly recognizable by their
distinctive girth and shimmering white sheen. Click
for a closer look at Candido’s namesake drums.
LP is proud to announce the availability of the DVD
version of the film Candido: Hands of Fire on our website.
LP salutes longtime endorser, friend, and true jazz master Candido
Camero for receiving the NEA citation, which recognizes a lifetime
of devotion to the art of Latin-jazz. And LP is pleased to report that,
despite his age, Candido remains a vital and active member of our artist
team.
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