Ray Mantilla

Rebirth Ray Mantilla

Ray Mantilla was one of the true conga giants during

the 1950s, 60s and 70s recording hundreds of album

sessions and pioneering the use of unique combinations

of latin percussion instruments. Among his most famous

collaborations were with Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann and

Max Roach. In 1977, Mantilla was selected by the great jazz

ambassador Dizzy Gillespie to accompany him to Cuba as the

first US band to visit the island since the travel embargo of

1962. Their joint concerts with Cuba's indigenous bands made

musical and political history. For Rebirth, Mantilla surrounded

himself with his long-time colleagues Edy Martinez, Ivan

Renta, Guido Gonzalez, Diego Lopez and others, once again

proving that the music he made came from his heart as well

as from his lifetime of experience. Ray Mantilla was very

insistent on titling this recording Rebirth. After a long illness

the irrepressible Ray Mantilla passed away a few short months

after completing the sessions for this CD. The music contained

here is a fitting tribute to the man and the musician beloved by

so many.