Papo Vázquez

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Angel R. "Papo" Vázquez (born February 24, 1958 in Philadelphia ) is an American musician ( trombone , arrangement , composition ) of Latin jazz . As a soloist with his own style, arranger and composer, he is one of the key figures in Latin music , according to Martin Kunzler .

Live and act

Vázquez, who grew up in a Puerto Rican environment in Philadelphia and Vega Baja ( Puerto Rico ), gained his first musical experience in school bands. He became a professional musician at the age of thirteen. As a teenager he moved to New York City , where in the early 1970s he worked in groups such as Conjunto Libre , in Héctor Lavoe's band and with stars of the salsa scene such as Ray Barretto , Celia Cruz , Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colón ( Siembre ) worked and then also became a member of Fania All Stars . He toured Europe with Ray Charles' orchestra . In the jazz field he worked with Dizzy Gillespie and his United Nations Orchestra , but also with Frank Foster , Woody Shaw , Mel Lewis , Hilton Ruiz , Dave Valentin and Jerry Gonzalez . For many years he was a member of Tito Puente's groups . From 1981 to 1985 Vázquez lived again in Puerto Rico, where he co-founded the group Batacumbele and led to success. During this time he went to the United States in the studio and was involved in award-winning recordings of Rubén Blades . He also worked on the soundtracks of films such as The Mambo Kings and Mo 'Better Blues ( Spike Lee ). Further tours and recordings with Gillespie and Puente followed as well as North American festival appearances with their own groups. With Breakout he presented his debut album as Leader in 1991, which was followed by At the Point, Vol. I and Vol. II in 1999/2000 . He continued to be successful with his Pirates Troubadours & the Mighty Pirate Orchestra ; his album Marooned / Aislad was nominated for a Grammy in 2009.

Vázquez has also worked on recordings by Steve Berrios , Wayne Gorbea, Slide Hamptons World of Trombones , Dario Estrella, Chico O'Farrill , Manny Oquendo, the Afro Blue Band , Chucho Valdés , Jossie Esteban and Juan Luis Guerra .

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personal data
SURNAME Vázquez, Papo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Vázquez, Angel R.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American musician (trombone, arrangement, composition) of Latin jazz
DATE OF BIRTH February 24, 1958
PLACE OF BIRTH Philadelphia