A fabulous 3 CD boxed set celebrating the life and music of the legendary Cuban conga drummer Chano Pozo, a key figure in the development of Afro Cuban Jazz or CuBop, who was shot dead in a Harlem bar in 1948 at the height of his fame.

Disc One presents the original recorded versions of many of Chano Pozo's compositions by the greats of Cuban music.

Disc Two presents his most outstanding recordings as sideman and leader.

Disc Three presents the music that has made him a legend - the very first Cu-bop recordings made with Dizzy Gillespie and others in the years 1947-49.

Finally there's a 142 page booklet on the life of Chano Pozo in Spanish and English written by the owner of Tumbao, Jordi Pujol.

Read more about these discs in the individual reviews below.

Reviews

Read the review of this set in the New York Times (registration required).

The life and influence of this legendary figure has been meticulously and lovingly documented in a three-CD collection... the Pozo package includes a 143-page book... generously illustrated with historic photos and reproductions of vintage record labels. In an industry that often skimps on production quality, it's a delight to find a set that does justice to the artistic stature of its subject.
-Agustín Gurza, Los Angeles Times

Blen, Blen, Blen

TCD 306

Chano got his first composing contract through the intervention of his friend Miguelito Valdés. Despite his talent Chano was considered too black to play with orchestras such as the Casino de la Playa, with whom Valdés recorded a number of Chano's afro-rumba's, beginning in October 1939 with Blen, Blen, Blen. Later Miguelito would go on to record for Machito & His Afro Cubans, and again Chano's compositions featured heavily in their repertoire.

This disc presents these recordings and many others by the greats of Cuban music. Some of these tracks are available elsewhere in the Tumbao catalogue but it's still a great disc with plenty of unique material.

Track list

Introduction by Mario Bauzá and Billy Taylor about Chano; Blen, Blen, Blen; Ariñañara; Muna Sanganfimba; Guagüina Yerabo; Anana Boroco Tinde; Blen, Blen, Blen; Parampampin; Bang, Que Choque; Rómpete; Nagüe; Zarabanda; Ampárame; El Pin Pin; El Pin Pin; Llora; Cielito; Guarachi Güaro; Boco Boco; Guagüina Yerabo; Tin Tin Deo; Si No Tiene Swing

Timbero, La Timba Es Mia

TCD 307

Chano's fame as a rumbero was growing and he became the leader of the house band at the radio station RHC-Cadena Azul, the Conjunto Azul. In 1947, encouraged by the success of his friend Miguelito Valdes, he moved to New York. Again it was Miguelito who helped him get his first recording contract with Gabriel Oller's Coda label (later called SMC). Chano chose four Afro-Cuban chants and they are among the tracks presented on this super CD.

Chano was a fabulous drummer, one of the greatest rumberos Cuba ever produced, and it's a delight to listen to his playing

Track list

Loló, Loló, Loló; La Rumba y La Guerra; Quinto Mayor; El Vendedor De Aves; Conga de Los Dandys Timbero, La Timba Es Mia; Tumbando Caña; Blen, Blen, Blen; El Pin Pin; Tu Gallo Maria; Tierra Colorá; Ave Maria Morena; El Cajón; Sangre Son Colorá; Ya No Puede Rumbear (Ritmo Afro-Cubana No.1); Abasi (Ritmo Afro-Cubana No.2); Tambombararana (Ritmo Afro-Cubana No.3); Placetas ((Ritmo Afro-Cubana No.4); Rumba En Swing; Porqué Tu Sufres; Cómetelo To'; Pasó En Tampa; Serende; Seven Seven; Sácale Brillo Al Piso Teresa; No Se Que Tienes; La Gloria Eres Tu; Mario Bauzá's closing comments

The Cu-Bop Days

TCD 308

In the spring of 1947 Dizzy Gillespie, who had been experiencing notable success with his innovative big band, was on the look out for a Cuban drummer. He was introduced to Chano by the arranger of Machito's Afro-Cubans, Mario Bauzá. Although Chano spoke not a word of English and couldn't read music, Dizzy was so astonished by what he heard that he hired him on the spot. After initial resistance, the new sound the group forged proved triumphant. Chano was a revolution to jazz drummers in the States

On this CD you can hear the tracks which created a new era in Cuban music: the famous Afro Cuban Suite and the track which came to define the new music, Manteca.

Track list

Mario Bauzá and Dizzy Gillespie relate how they came to know Chano Pozo; Relaxin' at Camarillo; Cubana-Be, Cubana-Bop; Billy Taylor reflects on the importance of Dizzy Gillespie in Chano Pozo's professional life; Algo Bueno; Cool Breeze; Cubana Be; Cubana Bop; Good Bait; Ool-Ya-Koo; Minor Walk; Mario Bauzá, Billy Taylor and Dizzy Gillespie comment on Chano Pozo's impact an how "Manteca" came to be written; Manteca; Mario Bauzá, Billy Taylor and Cecil Payne recall moments of Chano Pozo on tour with Gillespie's orchestra; Cubana Be, Cubana Bop; Baggy's Blues; Baggy Eyes; Moody's All Frantic; Tropicana; Cu-ba; Tin-Tin-Deo; Billy Taylor and Machito relate the circumstances leading to Chano Pozo's death; Memoria a Chano; Chano Pozo; Rumberos de Ayer