Angel Cachete Maldonado Born: October 16, 1951
Master percussionist Cachete Maldonado’s contribution to the recognition and advancement of Afro- Caribbean music has garnered him well deserved celebrity status. The 2010 release of “Rumba Boricua Campesina,” (Bata Records) with his ensemble Cachete Maldonado y Los Majaderos, maintains the high standards this innovative musician has established.
Angel ‘Cachete’ Maldonado was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on Oct. 16, 1951. His father Rubén, was a respected orchestra bassist which also appeared repeatedly in the early days of local television. Cachete began his musical studies with formal piano lessons, but had an early inclination to percussion and went under the tutelage of drummer Julio ‘Maco’ Rivera. His curiosity of Afro-Cuban music, led him to the batá drums, and their religious and spiritual connotations. He would later expand his expertise on these instruments, but first followed the traditional role of accompanying salsa bands as a conga and bongo player.
While on the island, he joined the popular band of Johnny El Bravo, and after relocating to New York in the early ‘70’s was with Carlos “Patato’ Valdés, and Julito Collazo. He would then be the featured bongo player with La Conspiración. This led to his teaming up with pianist Larry Harlow, at the time of the much heralded record “Hommy.” He remained with Harlow for extensive tours of North and South America, and established his standing as a top tier percussionist. He went on to performing as well as recording with the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Louie Ramirez, Conjunto Libre, and Tipica 73. With the latter he would travel to Cuba in a cultural exchange program, upon his return he was asked to record with Machito and Dizzy Gillespie.
By this time Maldonado’s abilities were well honed and he was asked to join the band of saxophonist Gato Barbieri, with whom he remained for four years, and was on the acclaimed “Last Tango in Paris” recording. Following this he accompanied many of the top artists of the day as Weather Report, Freddie Hubbard, Jorge Dalto, Airto Moreira among others.
While in New York in 1980, he started to put together the idea of his own band with an innovative approach to the Afro-Latin rhythms and music he was well aware of. His meeting up with pianist Eric Figueroa, and bassist Eddie ‘Guagua’ Rivera was the catalyst he needed. This led to the seminal group Batacumbele, the rest is history. Batacumbele exploded on the Puerto Rican music scene. By blending the Cuban songo beat with bomba and plena they came up with an original batárumba variation. This confirmed Maldonado as a rumbero bandleader. The band also featured a young percussionist named Giovanni Hidalgo, who would go on to international recognition. Other noted members of the band were Anthony Carrillo and Richie Flores (percussion), Nestor Torres (flute), Jerry Medina (vocals), Ignacio Berroa (drums), Papo Vazquez (trombone), Juancito Torres (trumpet) and Endel Dueño (timbales).
Batacumbele had a compact but highly regarded recording output: “Con Un Poco De Songo,” (’81) “Afro Caribbean Jazz,” (’87) “Batacumbele Live at The University of Puerto Rico,” (’88) “En Aquellos Tiempos,” (’91) They released a compilation disc of their live sets in 1999 as “Hijos Del Tambó.”
By 2003 Maldonado had moved on and had assembled his new group Cachete Maldonado y Los Majaderos. The release of the self titled record was an instant hit and solidified his standing as a percussionist and bandleader. He suffered a debilitating stroke in 2005, which curtailed his performances and led to further complications. But thanks to ongoing therapy and optimism, he has been able to regain much of his vibrancy and continues to recuperate.
In 2010 Cachete Maldonado y Los Majaderos released the anticipated “Rumba Boricua Campesina,” to much acclamation on the island and in New York. He continues to lead his band at the local gigs and is an inspiration to all who encounter this exemplary musician.
Source: James Nadal
Link - http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/angelcachetemaldonado
