Manny Oquendo

Born in New York City, New York on January 1, 1931, Manny Oquendo was a percussionist of Puerto Rican ancestry who specialized on the bongos and timbales. He began studying percussive instruments in 1945, working with Tropical and Latin music ensembles led by Luciano ‘Chano’ Pozo, Pupi Campo, Carlos Valero, José Budet, Luis del Campo, and others. In 1950, he became the bongo player in Tito Puente’s band, moving on to play with Tito Rodriguez in 1954 and Vicentico Valdés the following year. Manny Oquendo spent the rest of the decade working as a freelance sideman, appearing on recordings by Paul Quinichette and others. In 1961, he joined Eddie Palmieri’s Conjunto La Perfecta, appearing on albums such as Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta (1961), El Molestoso (1962), Azúcar pa’ Ti (1965), and Mozambique (1966). While a member of Palmieri’s band, Manny Oquendo was essential in developing the New York-style of the Mozambique rhythm. After a decade with Palmieri, he broke away to form Conjunto Libre in 1974, a band he co-led with bassist Andy González. They band – also known as Libre – scored an international hit with 1983’s “Little Sunflower”. Manny Oquendo continued to collaborate with artists and recorded a series of albums as a leader including Mejor que Nunca (1994), Ahora (1999), and Los New Yorkinos (2000). Manny Oquendo died on March 25, 2009.

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