Benefit for Francisco Aguabella

[Jose Marquez]

Just received this sad news in my inbox from Ubiquity Records, let's hope everything is ok


Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton, CA is holding a special benefit tribute to Francisco Aguabella tomorrow, March 9th

Sadly, Cuban drum master Francisco Aguabella is very ill. Ubiquity has had the honor of working with Aguabella on our CuBop label.

Chano Pozo is widely acknowledged as the first Cuban drummer to make a mark in the American music scene. Directly following him were Patato Valdez, Candido, Mongo Santamaria and Francisco Aguabella. As a master of the Bata (talking drum) Aguabella immediately impressed many. He was hired early on by Dizzy Gillespie and during his career has played and recorded with Peggy Lee, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Malo and Carlos Santana.

Francisco is one of the first echelon of drummers who came to America and are responsible for all drummes that came after them," said Latin percussionist John Santos in the movie "Sworn To The Drum". "He is one of the strongholds of our music and has always kept the commitment to our Cuban rhythm. He plays with everybody but always maintains our rhythm, that's very important," added Isreal "Cachao" Lopez.

Releases on Cubop include the rare groove gem "Hitting Hard," along with Afro Cuban jazz releases "Agua De Cuba", "H2O," "Ochimini" and "Cubacan."

We're selling an exclusive digital compilation of Aguabellas recordings with ALL money going to benefit him.