Patato Valdez RIP

[vinnieL]

The word is Patato has passed away. If this turns out incorrect i apologize. If it is then it is a great loss.

[ABAKUA]

The word is Patato has passed away. If this turns out incorrect i apologize. If it is then it is a great loss.

Sadly it appears to be true.

From a myspace bulletin:

Hello friends, heres another email fwrd from Alfredo De La Fe, regarding Patato....


Alfredo wrote;

Dear friends.

Today the day of Changó Carlos "Patato" Valdes a son
of Changó passed away at 10:10 PM.
One of the top percussionist in the World.
Armando Peraza once told me that when la Comparsa El
Cocuye came by the streets of Havana you could hear
the quinto 20 blocks away before any other instrument.
It was a small giant playing that quinto "Patato"
Today that quinto has silenced forever only to live in
our memories, our heart, and in that great legacy he
left behind.
I love you Patato and for me you will always be alive.

Alfredo De La Fe.

Que en Rumba descanse.

[maelopr]

Se nos fue otro maestro...que descanse en paz.

[zumbi]

just moved on to the real jam. the everlasting one!
keep on playing in the peace of the righteous, maestro.
one love supreme

[afrocubarico]

Martin Cohen did a nice photo tribute to Patato on his congahead website, null May he rest in peace.

afrocubarico

[bongosnotbombs]

So sad, his last show was in my city SF, I regret not going now as I almost went.
The last reports were he was getting better?

I have always enjoyed this man's music and artistry. Truly he will never be forgotten.

[onile]

Le pondre un vaso de aqua y una vela en mi boveda!
Carlos "Patato" Valdez Ibaye 'baye torun!

Que pena me da!

Sinceramente,

Onile!

[ozrivera]

Saludo Hermanos
a tremendous pioneer will be missed. Patato did more than what the industry gave him credit for.
que descanse en paz
your music and memories will continue to live on.
well catch up with you some day.

oz

[guarachon63]

Thanks for the link to Marty Cohen's pics. Great stuff, I especially loved the ones with Totico.

[JohnnyConga]

CHECK THIS OUT! . . .PATATO DANCING ON CONGAS!. . .JOHNNY CONGA. .

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... congas.jpg

[JohnnyConga]

I USED TO HANG AT THE "INTIMATE LOUNGE" IN THE BRONX AND SAW MANY A RUMBA THERE WITH PATATO-GENE GOLDEN-JULIO AND OTHERS. . .THOSE WERE GRAND TIMES. . . .CIRCA 1970-74. . . .JOHNNY CONGA. . .

[No.2-1820]

A sad day indeed, someone who lived life to the fullest by all accounts, what a facinating charactor, a life story well worthy of a movie. I read some where that it was supposed to be Patato and not Chano Pozo that would come to New York (and thus be the man that brought the conga to the western worlds attention) and join Gillespie but that Patato was too young to leave Cuba. Is that a true account anyone ?

Makes me even more determined to get that great tumbao down that he would play.

http://www.congahead.com/Movies/valdez.htm

Barrie.

[tocandorumba]

Thank you Patato for your beautiful music. You gave us all great musical gifts with your knowledge, skill and innovation. We will miss you.

[dannydrumperc]

Just read a bulletin Luis Conte posted on myspace about this. Surely he was one the greats.

[Jongo]

I just logged onto the conga forum today and found out Patato had passed away. A great musician, unfortunately I never saw him perform live but the video clips that I have seen are great. He had style and substance, what a sound! That little man could play! We will miss you Patato.