Carlos Patato Valdes carlos patato valdes (November 4, 1926 December 4, 2007) was a Cuban-born American conga player. In 1955 he emigrated from Cuba to New York City where he played with Willie Bobo in Harlem. He was also known by the name Patato. He invented and patented the tunable conga drum (earlier drums had nailed heads) which revolutionized use of the instrument. Tito Puente called him the greatest conguero alive today. Since the 1950s Patato was among the congueros that were in highest demand in the Latin Music and jazz world. He played, toured and recorded together with singer Miguelito Valdés, Perez Prado, Beny Moré, Cachao López, with Tito Puente, Machito, Herbie Mann, Kenny Dorham, Cal Tjader, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones and other, also with Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones, accompanying both on extended tours throughout Europe, and with the late Mario Bauza. Patato acted in and composed the title song of The Bill Cosby Show. In 1991 he contributed to the movie soundtrack for The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. Patato was the leader of his own band Afrojazzia, which toured Europe in the spring of 1994. A lifetime smoker, carlos patato valdes had emphysema and died of respiratory failure in Cleveland, Ohio on December 4, 2007.
For over 60 years Carlos Patato Valdez demonstrated how a musician could combine technical skill with superb showmanship. His conga playing demonstrated the fusion of melody and rhythm. It also reflected his keen understanding of rhythm as a biological constant that is rooted, quite literally, in the human heartbeat. During his performances, Patato even mastered the art of playing his congas while dancing on top of them, to the delight of the audience. Valdes dazzled audiences well into his seventies with his rumba moves. He is also the man who gave Brigitte Bardot a mambo lesson in the film And God Created Woman. Valdez also expressed his understanding of melody through bass and tres, the Cuban folk guitar. During the late 1940s he helped develop the first tunable congas, as earlier models were tuned by the unwieldy method of heating them with a sterno can. His interest in design, as well as his friendship with LP Founder Martin Cohen, led to the development of the LP Patato Model, one of the top-selling conga drums of all time. Personal lifevakdes was the father of Carlos Hernandez, better known as Chick Hernandez, a news anchor for NBC.
Discography With Dizzy Gillespie The Ebullient Mr. Gillespie (Verve, 1959) Have Trumpet, Will Excite! (Verve, 1959) Portrait of Jenny (Perception, 1970) With Johnny Griffin Soul Groove (Atlantic, 1963) with Matthew Gee With Sonny Stitt Stitt Goes Latin (Roost, 1963) Video Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiaudm69lnw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zttjgzd6ww https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao5qcfsyjsq Credits
Complete 2013Instrumental Sessions Ike Quebec Seven Classic 2013 Albums Grant Green The Sound of 2013America: The Cornet Singles Collection Strike Up the 2012 Band: 1959-1961 Eight Classic 2011 Albums Quincy Jones Kenny Dorham The 100 Best Jazz 2011Tunes of the 1950 s Douglas on Blue 2010 Note Jazz Signatures, 2009 Vol. 3
2009Marco di Mauro Para Olvidarte de 2009 Mí African Rhythms 2008 [Blue Note] 2008Best of RBD Marco di Mauro RBD RBD Vocal Director Vocal Director Vocal Director, Vocal Recording 2008La Historia Verve Unmixed, 2008 Vol. 4 Florida Funk: 2007 1968-1975 Frequent Flyer: 2007 Havana RBD Recording, Vocal Director, Composer
2006 31:31 Introducing Herbie 2006Mann [Wea International] Musica Original de 2006 Cuba Musica Original de 2006 Cuba Annette Peacock Herbie Mann Luis Santi Paquito Hechavarria,, Guest, Main Personnel, Main Personnel 2006 Vania Vania Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor) Anthology: The 2005Soul-Jazz Fusion Years 66-82 2005Funk Elements Freddie Hubbard, Maracas Primary 2005Luna Negra Luna Negra Sax (Tenor)
Mosaic Select: 2005 Johnny Richards 2005NEA Jazz Masters 2005Nuestro Amor Spotlight on 2005Music: Grade 4 Disc 18 The Essential Tito 2005 Puente Johnny Richards Dizzy Gillespie RBD Tito Puente Recording, Vocal Director Primary, Guest, Main Personnel, Main 200420 Años Bebo Valdés Personnel, Maracas 3 Generations of 2004 Cuban Musicians Patato, Lucrecia y Paquito Primary 2004Cosas de la Calle Kubavana Trumbadoras
2004 Cox Cox Composer 2004El Hombre 2004Flores de Alquiler Carlos Patato Valdes La 5ª Estación, Maracas, Primary Production Assistant 2004Funkia Mike Longo Jazziz: On The 2004 Latin Side Masters at Work 2004Present Latin Verve Sounds 2003Cuba 1923-1995 Cuban All Stars: 2003The Best from the Heart of Cuba Masters at Work Primary Primary Primary De Tal Palo Tal 2003 Valdes Lazaro Valdes Sax (Tenor)
I Heard It on NPR: 2003At Home in the Primary World 2003 Inolvidablemente Moncho Metales Mosaic Select: 2003 Duke Pearson Playtime, Vol. 2: 2003Pure Latin Soul and Boogaloo 2003The Orisha Suite Verve Remixed, 2003 Vol. 2 Verve 2003Remixed/Unmixed, Vol. 2 Duke Pearson Michael Philip Mossman, Guiro, Shaker Primary, Guest, Soloist Willie Bobo s 2003 Finest Hour Willie Bobo
Cuando Duerme la 2002 Habana Moneda Dura Saxophone Eager Hands and 2002Restless Feet: The Best of Tony Allen Tony Allen 2002 Ilustrado Gerardo Caballero de ParisAlfonso Clarinet, Sax (Tenor), Soloist 2002Llego Hasta Ti Yamile Sax (Tenor) 2002 Milagro/Sacred Fire Santana Composer 2002Pyramids And Palms Project Natale 2002Retrospective The Best of the 2002 Atlantic Years Grant Green Herbie Mann
Afro-Cuban 2001Grooves, Vol. 4 [Wagram] Primary Calle 54 [Music 2001from the Motion Picture] Cuban Masters: Los 2001 Originales Diggin the Crates 2001for Afro-Cuban Funk Los Originales, Primary 2001El Arte del Sabor Bebo Valdés, 2001Jazz Descargas LRC Jazz Legacy Anthology: 2001 Everyday I Have the Blues The Conga Kings
Live at the Whisky A Go 2001 Go/Mississippi Herbie Mann Gambler Mapleshade s Music 2001 Festival 2001 Matrix Dizzy Gillespie Right Now/Latin 2001 Fever Roots of Afro- 2001 Cuban Jazz Saoco! Masters of 2001 Afro-Cuban Jazz Herbie Mann Bongos,, 2001Sonado A Melodias Orquesta Melodias del 40 Guiro
2001 Sunwheels The Beat Goes Michael Marcus Guest 2001On/The Herbie Mann Herbie Mann String Album The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba: 2001Continental Drift Explosive Primary Musical Connection Time Remembered: 2001LRC Jazz Legacy Anthology A Cuba Without 2000 Borders Primary 2000African Crossroads Carlos Patato Valdes Primary
Composer, 2000 Authority Patato Primary, Quinto, Vocals Complete Blue Note 2000Elvin Jones Elvin Jones Sessions 2000Conga Kings Candido Composer,, Guest, Primary, Vocals Fantasy Presents 2000 Latin Jazz 2000 Guaguanco I Love Salsa 2000 [Manteca] 2000Latin Fever 2000 Orlando Contreras Maracas Primary Primary Guitar
2000Latino Blue New York Latin 2000Jazz Allstars: Feliz Navidad New York Latin Jazz Allstars 2000No Que Bueno Esta Bamboleo Sax (Tenor) The Legend of 2000 Cuban 2000Unico y Diferente Patato Carlos Patato Valdes Composer,, Primary Primary Afro Cuban Jazz: 1999 1947-1960 Afro-Cuban 1999Grooves, Vol. 4 [Melodie] 1999Blue Bossa, Vol. 2 Primary, Primary
Cuba, I Am Time, 1999Vol. 4: Cubano, Guiro Jazz Do the Bossa Nova with Herbie 1999 Mann/My Kinda Herbie Mann Groove 1999High Heel SneakersDoug Lawrence, Guest 1999Mañana Vendras Rhythm & Time: 1999Global Songs So Blue, So Funky, 1999 Vol. 2 The Heart of a 1999 Legend Conjunto Casino Chico O Farrill Composer, Primary, Vocals, Maracas
1998En House Mambo Mania 1998 [Charly] Mambo Mania: 1998 Talkin Verve Exitos Vallenatos Guitar, Vocals Composer, Primary 1998Para Bailar Mi SonRolo Martinez Sax (Tenor), 1998 Remembering Clifford Benny Golson Unknown Contributor Role Sabroso: The Afro- 1998 Latin Groove Uno Dos Tres: 1998 Latin Jazz Grooves Composer,, Primary
Afro Cuban 1997 Grooves, Vol. 2 Best of Ellipsis 1997 Arts 1997Cuba: I Am Time 1997Due Rights Primary Primary, Guiro Michael Raye Special Participation 1997 Embajadores Fiesta Picante: 1997The Latin Jazz Party Collection Los Embajadores Composer Jazz Round 1997Midnight: Quincy Quincy Jones Jones 1997Jazz Profile Grant Green
Latin Jazz Highlights: 1997 Messidor s Finest,, Maracas Vol. 5 Latin Jazz for 1997Lovers: Messidor s Finest, Vol. 4 Like a Thief in 1997 the Night Melodia Para 1997 Congras Mike Longo Enriquillo Fernandez, Guiro, Maracas Composer,, Guiro, Maracas 1997Messidor s Finest Mario Bauzá, Guiro Nu Yorica 2!: Further Adventures 1997in Latin Music Chango in the New, Vocals World
Rough Guide to 1997 Salsa 1997Ska Zone 1997Talkin Verve Primary Primary Willie Bobo Composer, The Best of 1997Ellipsis Arts: Big Bang Primary, Producer The Best of Tito 1997Puente: El Rey del Tito Puente Timbal! This Is Boston Not 1997 Austin, Vol. 2 1996Canela y Cana Los Engineer, Producer Españolisimos Composer 1996En Cumbanchoa Conjunto Casino Tumbadora
Giants/Portrait of 1996 Jenny Jammin in the Bronx: A Live 1996 Concert Tribute to Machito Legends of Salsa 1996 Bass Nu Yorica! Culture 1996Clash in New York City Dizzy Gillespie Composer,, Primary Composer 1996Ritmo y Sabor Manteca, Main Personnel 1996Serie 20 Exitos Los Iracundos Composer Talkin Verve: 1996 Roots of Acid Jazz The Best of Kenny Cal Tjader 1996Dorham: Blue Note Kenny Dorham Years
Bongos,, Guiro, United Nations of 1996 Messidor Maracas, Primary, Producer Verve Jazz Masters 1996 56 1995 Afro-Cuba Herbie Mann Bongos,, Composer, Drums of the 1995Earth, Vol. 1 [Ethnic] Primary, Quinto, Requinto, Vocals
More Than the Mambo: 1995 Introduction to Afro-Cuban Jazz Composer, Primary Pure Delight: The Essence of Quincy 1995Jones and His Orchestra (1953-1964) Quincy Jones & His Orchestra, Vocals 1995Ritmo Y Candela 1995Sonido Solido 1995Wonder Boy Patato, Changuito y Orestes Alfredo Rodriguez The Aluminum Group Primary Violin
Yambeque: The 1995Progressive Side of Tito Puente Tito Puente Cuban, Guest, Bongos, 1994Bebo Rides Again Bebo Valdés, Guest, Maracas 1994Copacabana Herbie Mann Conductor, 1994Jamaica by Night Andy Hamilton Guest, 1994Jazz Showcase Mambo Beat: The Progressive Side 1994 of Tito Puente, Vol. 1 Tito Puente Cuban Spanish Grease/Uno 1994 Willie Bobo Dos Tres 1-2-3
The Best of Dance 1994 Mania Tito Puente Choir/Chorus, The Big Bang: In 1994the Beginning Was a Drum, Drums, Primary, Producer The Evolution of 1994Mann: The Herbie Mann Anthology United Rhythms of 1994 Messidor Verve Jazz Masters 1994 39 Herbie Mann Cal Tjader,, Primary 1993944 Columbus Mario Bauzá 1993 Bonita Santos Colon Composer
1993Breakout Papo Vazquez Vocals (Background) 1993 Dangerous Kingdom Medicine Band 1993Heroes Las Charangas De 1993 Cuba Y Nueva York Hilton Ruiz Conductor, 1993My Time is Now United s of 1993 Messidor 1992Blue Bossa Mario Bauzá, Guiro 1992 Milagro Santana Composer Super Salsa 1992 Greats, Vol. 3 Super Salsa 1992 Singers, Vol. 2 Jerry Masucci Composer Composer The Best of Tito 1992 Puente, Vol. 1 Tito Puente Guest,
The Dizzy s 1992Diamonds: The Best of Verve Years 1992The Tanga Suite Dizzy Gillespie Mario Bauzá Cheng,, Guest, Guiro, Member of Attributed, Musician Compact Jazz: Cal 1989 Tjader 1989Jazz Club: Piano 1989Rendevous Cal Tjader Jorge Dalto, Voices Conga Drum,, Drums, Member of Attributed
In Concert: Live 1988at the University Batacumbele Composer of Puerto Rico Afro Carribean 1987 Jazz Batacumbele Composer 198650 by Bobby Short Bobby Short 1985Urban Oasis 1984Masterpiece Jorge Dalto & The Interamerican Band Patato Valdes, Quiro, Unknown Contributor Role Bata, Bata Drums, Choir/Chorus, Composer,, Primary, Producer, Vocals
1981Ce Magnifique Sabor, Sentimento 1978 Y Pueblo Tito Puente Ismael Miranda Additional Personnel, Bata, Bato, Drums, Soloist Composer 1977 Cachao Cachao 1977Live at Montreux Don Ellis 1977Ready for Freddy Patato Bongos, Primary Solo Casting 1976 [Bonus Tracks] 1974Drum Ode First Light: The 1974 Family of Mann 1973Mr. Jones 1972 Mississippi Gambler William Lyall Conductor, David Liebman Herbie Mann Elvin Jones Herbie Mann
1970Portrait of Jenny Dizzy Gillespie, Main Personnel The Best of Herbie 1970 Mann Herbie Mann 1969The Black Angel Freddie Hubbard, Guest, Maracas 1968Shock Treatment Don Ellis Bongos,, Guiro, Main 1968The Phantom Duke Pearson Personnel, Unknown Contributor Role Impressions of the 1967 Middle East New Mann at 1967 Newport Herbie Mann Herbie Mann
1967Patato & Totico Patato y Totico Composer,, Member of Attributed,, Primary Swingin at the 1967 Gate Johnny Lytle 1967The Beat Goes On Herbie Mann Live In 3 and 1966 2/3/4 Time Monday Night at 1966 the Village Gate Don Ellis Herbie Mann Bongos,, Drums, Main Personnel 1966Soul Burst Cal Tjader, Vocals 1965Latin Mann Standing Ovation 1965 at Newport Herbie Mann Herbie Mann 1964Manhattan Latin Dave Pike
1964Mucho Puente Tito Puente Bongos, Eso Es Latin 1963 Jazz Man Antonio Diaz Mena 1963Live at Newport Bossa Nova 1962 Bacchanal 1962Right Now Herbie Mann Charlie Rouse Herbie Mann 1962The Latin Bit Grant Green, Guest, Main Personnel Dance Mania, Vol. 1961 2 Tito Puente Bitter 1961 Sweet 1960A.T. s Delight Max Roach Art Taylor, Guest, Main Personnel
1960 Revolving Bandstand Tito Puente 1960Tambó Flautista! Herbie 1959Mann Plays Afro- Cuban Jazz Have Trumpet, Will 1959 Excite! Tito Puente Herbie Mann Dizzy Gillespie, Guest, Kenyan Drum,, Guest 1959Mucho Cha-Cha Tito Puente Bongos 1958 Cannonball s Sharpshooters Cannonball Adderley 1958Dance Mania Tito Puente Bongos, Kenya: Afro-Cuban 1958 Jazz Latin Soul Plus 1958 Jazz Machito Machito Guest
1958Rites of Diablo Orgy in Rhythm, 1957 Vol. 1 Orgy in Rhythm, 1957 Vol. 1-2 Orgy in Rhythm, 1957 Vol. 2 1956Cuban Carnival Johnny Richards Art Blakey Art Blakey Art Blakey Tito Puente, Cuban, Guest, Puente in 1956 1955Afro-Cuban Tito Puente Kenny Dorham, Primary, Continuo, Main Personnel
1951Babarabatiri Tito Puente Musician, Unknown Contributor Role Fill Your Head with Jazz La Quiniela Del Dia Cortijo y Su Combo Composer Latin Jazz [Fantasy] Maracas Member of New York NightlineJorge Dalto Attributed, Ritmo del Cuba Soho Blues Featured Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/carlos_%22patato%22_va
ldes