Mangual, José "Buyú" - Jazz

Latin jazz legend, José Mangual, known as "Buyú", was born on 18 March, 1924 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. More than a great musician, Mangual inspired others by his example: persistence and dedication to his art.

Mangual demonstarted a love of music early in his youth, listening to mostly Cuban music: rumbas, guarachas, and son montunos. From that music he took an interest in playing the bongos and taught himself to play on makeshift instruments made from tin cans.

By age 10, Mangual showed such talent and skill that was playing professionally. A few later, in 1939, Mangual moved with his family to New York City. There, he adapted to the music scene, often playing in small clubs and establishing his reputation as a gifted percussionist.

Latin, Afro-Cuban" music would soon explode in New York and reverberate throughout Latin America, the rest of the United States and indeed, the world. Mangual was at the epicenter of that seismic event, playing the timbales with Machito and his Afro-Cuban All-Stars, in 1941. He stayed on for 18 years.

During those years with Machito, Mangual toured the world but more importantly, met and learned from many great musicians; gifted jazz artists in their own right, including the likes of Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and others. No doubt, they had a great influence on Mangual and the development of Latin jazz in which Mangual was a pioneer.

Mangual parted company with Machito in 1959 to collaborate with jazz great, Herbie Mann. He also toured Africa with Carlos "Patato" Valdez, in what was a signal event in the history of Latin jazz.

Over his long career, Mangual performed with artists and orchestras such as Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill, Cal Tjader, the Count Basie Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Dexter Gordon, Cachao, Ray Charles, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente.

Mangual's only solo recording wasBuyú, which included a Tito Puente song:  Chinatown. The album was released in 1977 to wide acclaim, and countless more recorded with Machito and others, mostly between 1942 and 1960. He also appeared in a film entitled "The Thrill of Music" in 1946.

Mangual died in 1998 leaving a great legacy in the world of Puerto Rican music.

Courtesy of: