The National Endowment for the Arts honored Legendary Latin Jazz percussionist Candido Camero as a 2008 Jazz Master this past Tuesday night, Oct. 2, 2007. These awards recognize musical excellence and significant contributions to jazz, both apt descriptions for the 86 year old percussionist. Camero joins saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera and conguero Ray Barretto as the few Latin Jazz musicians recognized in the awards 25 year history.

Here’s an excerpt from an article by Associated Press writer Charles J. Gans:
Candido Camero (rhythm instrumentalist) was cited by the NEA for being the first percussionist to bring conga drumming to jazz through his work with Gillespie and Stan Kenton in the 1950s. The 86-year-old Camero became only the second Cuban-born musician to be named a Jazz Master, following saxophonist-clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera in 2005.

“I wish to thank God for allowing me to enjoy this realization of the American dream,” said Camero.

A Lifetime Contribution to Latin Jazz
Candido Camero was born in 1921 and grew up in the Havana barrio El Cerro. The popular music during the 1920s and 30s was Son, inspiring Camero to master the genre’s main instruments - tres, guitar, and bass. He played tres in Conjunto Azul, a group led by Chano Pozo that also counted Mongo Santamaria as a member. As his music career began to build steam, Camero switched to congas and bongó, receiving quick praise. He joined the CMQ Radio Orchestra and also became a member of the famed Tropicana band. These high profile gigs kept him working on the Havana music scene for many years.

In 1946, Camero traveled to New York with the dance team Carmen and Rolando, signaling a new direction in his career. At the time, Dizzy Gillespie’s band prominently featured Chano Pozo, but many jazz bands did not include congas. Gillespie recognized Camero’s potential, so he introduced Camero to pianist Billy Taylor who quickly hired the percussionist. Camero soon became recognized as the premier percussionist in New York, which led to work with Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Machito. He remained busy among New York’s music scene into the early 1950s, recording and performing with artists such as Kenny Burrell, Erroll Garner, Art Blakey, and Sonny Rollins.

Camero earned a spot in the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1954, leading to an acceptance among the general public. The Kenton band toured nationally, and Camero was a featured soloist every night. As his fame spread, he made regular television appearances on The Jackie Gleason Show, The Steve Allen Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, and Mike Wallace. Camero supported a wide variety of artists, including Tony Bennett, Charo, Machito, Tommy Dorsey, Tito Puente, and Lena Horne. His percussion savvy, teamed with infallible musicianship helped Camero maintain a position of constantly desired sideman.

Camero remained busy both as a sideman and with his own projects into the current day. He recorded a number of popular albums as a leader, including the 1959 recording Latin Fire, 1961’s Conga Soul, and the ever-popular 1969 release Thousand Finger Man. In 2000, he teamed with fellow percussionists Carlos “Patato” Valdes and Giovanni Hidalgo to record The Conga Kings, a legendary meeting of rhythmic masters. Camero reunited with legendary vocalist Graciela Perez in 2004 for the album Inolvidable, which revisited repertoire from their early New York years. Filmmaker Ivan Acosta released a documentary about Camero in 2006 entitled Candido: Hands of Fire. The movie followed Camero’s musical legacy, supported with commentary from many of his musical peers. Camero continues to record and perform today, sharing his tradition of excellence with a new generation.

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