News & Updates — Tata Güines
Tata Güines / June 30, 1930 - Feb 4, 2008
The King of the Congas, Tata Güines was a shoe-maker and a bassist before he became one of the most prestigious and important percussionists in Cuban music. After some early study with Chano Pozo, his professional career took off in the '50s, playing in Havana with the likes of Arsenio Rodriguez, Bebo Valdés, Chico O'Farrill, Peruchín, Cachao, Frank Emilio Flynn and others. In '52 he toured South America with Jose Fajardo. In 1957 he went to NYC, where he worked with Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Josephine Baker and others. He became a featured soloist on the NYC scene, helping...