We lost a great drummer

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Isaac]

Yes we really did. Mike was the most relaxed, knowledgable and graceful personalities on the latin bandstand.
His son Mike Jr. is carrying on the tradition. My condolences to the family. ~ ISAAC


Bobby Sanabria, just wrote a short bio on Mike Collazo.

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Mike Collazo passed away last night. Mike was a gifted percussionist who could play all of the family of percussion instruments. His drum set work with the Tito Puente orchestra set a standard for accompaniment which can best be heard on the Tito Puente & His Concert Orchestra album. His timbale work with Tito Rodrigue...z, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Orchestra Broadway and many others, plus his appearance on hundreds of anonymous studio sessions are testimony to his greatness. In his youth Mike had received a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music and he studied there for a year under the tutelage of orchestral percussionist Fred Albright before leaving to go on the road at the age of 18 with the Machito Orchestra. As an alumni of MSM he is honored with all the reverence given to ex- students of the school who have passed. I've posted this in the past. Here is Mike on drums with the Tito Puente Orchestra in1972 from the PBS TV show SOUL! .

http://www.thirteen.org/soul/2009/02/04 ... r-15-1972/

Another proud Nuyorican S.O.B. (Son of Da' Bronx) goes to the beyond never to be forgotten.

Elegance and majesty on the drums y el timbal, RIP Mikie.

Ibae y ache',
Bobby Sanabria

[RitmoBoricua]

Sad news indeed. One of the finest drummers around. In my honest opinion Mr. Mike Collazo took some of the most legendary solos ever committed to a recording while with Ricardo Ray. Que Descanse Paz Uno De Los Grandes Del Tambor.