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Milton Cardona

Milton Cardona, a Puerto Rican percussionist who was a mainstay of New York salsa, a studio musician on hundreds of albums and a Santeria priest who introduced sacred traditional rhythms to secular audiences, died on Sept. 19 in the Bronx. He was 69. The cause was heart failure, said his wife, Bruni.

In Latin bands and at recording sessions led by , , and many others, Mr. Cardona primarily played conga drums — generally not as a flashy soloist but as the kinetic foundation and spark of a percussion section. He was an authoritative advocate for some of Latin music’s deepest traditions; he was also a vital, innovative participant in many ambitious fusions.

Mr. Cardona worked with the trombonist and bandleader Willie Colón on and off through four decades and was a member of the singer Hector Lavoe’s band from 1974 to 1987. He also recorded two albums as a leader and led the Santeria group Eya Aranla.

Mr. Cardona was a santero, a priest of Santeria, the Afro- Caribbean religion rooted in the Yoruba culture of West Africa. Santeria invokes a pantheon of African deities with rhythms and songs that have filtered into the popular music of Latin America and the world. Mr. Cardona studied the Yoruba language to understand the traditional prayers he was singing. “I always said, ‘Why should I learn the prayer if I don’t know what it means?’ ” he explained in an interview with Drum magazine.

The rhythms of Santeria are traditionally played on batá drums, a family of three hand drums. Mr. Cardona brought the batá and its rhythms out of Santeria ceremonies and into secular contexts. After he played batá on Mr. Colón’s 1973 album “,” the sound spread through 1970s salsa.

Mr. Cardona released the first studio recording of a bembé, a complete Santeria ceremony, in 1986 on the American Clave label. He also played drums and sang in Paul Simon’s 1998 Broadway musical, “The Capeman,” which was infused with elements of Santeria. In an email, Mr. Simon wrote, “I had already researched the melodies before I met Milton, but he brought them to life.”

Milton Cardona was born on Nov. 21, 1944, in Mayagüez, P.R., and moved with his family to the South Bronx when he was 5 years old. He studied violin and bass, but the music of the South Bronx, including street-corner Latin jams, led him toward percussion. He worked as a studio bassist and percussionist in the 1960s before joining Mr. Colón’s band.

Mr. Colón’s singers included Mr. Lavoe and later Rubén Blades. When Mr. Lavoe began leading his own band in 1974, Mr. Cardona joined him, while he continued to record with Mr. Colón and others.

“Milton was an authority on the proper execution and the history of the drums,” Mr. Colón wrote on his Facebook page. “But that did not get in the way of him being progressive and an innovator.”

Mr. Cardona formed Eya Aranla — the name means “drums and chants” in Yoruba — to perform the music of Santeria ceremonies in public. , a producer and songwriter whose albums sought a far-reaching cross-cultural fusion, recorded Eya Aranla performing a full Santeria ceremony and released it on his American Clave label as “Bembé,” an album with the crisp detail of a pop studio recording.

“I remember Milton telling me he had to ask each deity for the permission to record and present the particular rhythms owned by, or partially defining, those deities to the secular outside world,” Mr. Hanrahan wrote in an email.

In 1999 American Clave released Mr. Cardona’s other solo album, “Cambucha,” which mingled Santeria music with rumba, jazz, doo-wop and more. The album’s title was also the nickname of Mr. Cardona’s daughter, Carmen; she survives him, as do his wife; two sons, Milton Jr. and Sergio; his sister, Milagros Cardona; and two grandchildren.

In the ’80s and ’90s Mr. Cardona worked with Mr. Byrne, appearing on his albums “” and “Uh-Oh.” In the early ’90s, he made a pair of jazz-fusion albums with an oud player from Lebanon, Rabih Abou-Khalil. He also had long-running associations with jazz musicians like the flutist Dave Valentin and the clarinetist and saxophonist Don Byron, and he worked with the celebrated Latin bandleader on albums including Mr. Puente’s 2000 collaboration with the pianist Eddie Palmieri, “Masterpiece/Obra Maestra,” which won the Grammy Award for best salsa album.

“I look at my instrument as wood and skin,” Mr. Cardona said in a 1991 interview. “They both have life, they both have a soul.”

DISCOGRAPHIES:

Milton Cardona appears on the followingAmerican Clave recordings:

Jerry Gonzalez / Ya Yo Me Cure amcl 1001 Milton Cardona / Bembe amcl 1004 Conjure / Music for the Texts of amcl 1006 Kip Hanrahan / Desire Develops an Edge amcl 1009/8 Kip Hanrahan / Vertical’s Currency amcl 1010 Kip Hanrahan / A Few Short Notes for the End Run amcl 1011EP Kip Hanrahan / Days and Nights of Blue Luck Inverted amcl 1012 Conjure / Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon amcl 1015 Kip Hanrahan / Tenderness amcl 1016/17 american clave / Anthology amcl 1020/26 Deep Rumba / This Night Becomes a Rumba amcl 1024 Kip Hanrahan / Exotica amcl 1027 Milton Cardona / Cambucha (Carmen) amcl 1028 Kip Hanrahan / All Roads are Made of the Flesh amcl 1029 Kip Hanrahan / Drawn from Memory (Greatest Hits, Kip on Campus, or whatever…) amcl 1033 american clave / I was born, but… amcl 1034 Kip Hanrahan / A Thousand Nights and a Night (1- Red Nights) amcl 1036 Kip Hanrahan / A Thousand Nights and a Night (Shadow Nights 1) amcl 1042 Kip Hanrahan / music from thesoundtrack to Pinero amcl 1056 Piri Thomas / Every Child is Born a Poet amcl 1032 Kip Hanrahan / Beautiful Scars amcl 1060

Videos:

Credits:

Year Album Artist Bongos, Claves, The Complete Album Congas, Guira, 2013 Paul Simon Collection Maracas, Vocals (Background) 2012 Latin Beat Jazz Heat Percussion A Tribute To Mario Paquito 2011 Congas Bauza d’Rivera 2010 Prayer for Peace Billy Bang Congas, Percussion Boy’s Own Odyssey: Vocals 2009 Acid House Scrapes & (Background) Capers Rabih Abou- 2009 Selection Congas Khalil Year Album Artist Choir/Chorus, The Complete Studio Congas, Coro, 2009 Héctor Lavoe Albums, Vol. 2 Musician, Percussion Vocals 2009 The Dance Years: 1994 (Background) Can You Follow 2008 Congas [Deluxe Box Set] , Vol. 2: 2008 Willie Colón Coro Prisioneros del Mambo The Complete Studio Congas, Coro, 2008 Héctor Lavoe Albums, Vol. 1 Percussion 2007 Abril En Paris Luis Mangual Coro Conga Drum, Asalto Navideño, Congas, Main 2007 Héctor Lavoe Vols. 1-2 Personnel, Percussion 2007 El Cantante Marc Anthony Coro, Vocals Hed Kandi: Back to Vocals 2007 Love – True Club (Background) Classics Band New York City 2007 Percussion with Luther Vandross Band Primary Artist, Percussion Maddness Luisito 2007 Vocals Revisited Quintero (Background) Bata, Congas, 2007 The Player Willie Colón Soloist Main Personnel, 2006 Come Fly with Me Dave Valentin Percussion Year Album Artist Every Child Is Born A 2006 Poet: The Life & Work Piri Thomas Coro, Percussion of Piri Thomas Congas, Primary 2006 Latin Dreams Ray Appleton Artist Additional Personnel, Luisito 2006 Percussion Madness Composer, Lead, Quintero Shekere, Vocals (Background) 2006 Top Secrets Willie Colón Choir/Chorus 2005 Bebo de Cuba Bebo Valdés Chekere, Congas Con Mucho Ritmo! The 2005 Very Best of Congas, Percussion Tropijazz Una Noche Inolvidable Member of Afro-Latin 2005 (An Unforgettable Attributed Artist, Jazz Orchestra Night) Percussion 2005 World on a String Dave Valentin Percussion Brazilian Flavour [2 Bata, Vocals 2004 Disc] (Background) Conjunto 2004 El Panadero Coro, Group Member Clasico Congas, 2004 In a Smooth Groove Percussion, Shakere 2004 Jazz Piano Masters Percussion Coro, Main 2004 Lagrimas Negras Bebo Valdés Personnel, Vocals (Background) Conjunto 2004 Las Puertas Abiertas Coro, Group Member Clasico Year Album Artist Chekere, Congas, Guest Artist, Horn Section, Main 2004 Latin Jazz Fantasy Bill O’Connell Personnel, Percussion, Personnel, Strings 2004 Mas Clasico Que Nunca Johnny Rivera Choir/Chorus 2004 Ritmo Afro-Cubano Coros, Group Composer, Coro, Guest Artist, 2004 Sonidos Nuevos Damon Grant Itotele, Iya, Vocals Bongos, Claves, The Studio Recordings Guira, Maracas, 2004 Paul Simon 1972-2000 Vocals (Background) Choir/Chorus, 2003 Carnival in San Juan Papo Vazquez Percussion 2003 Wise Children Tom Harrell Congas Brazilian Flavour, Bata, Vocals 2002 Vol. 1 (Background) Congas, Coro, 2002 Piñero Kip Hanrahan Guest Artist, Percussion, Quinto 2002 Serie 32 India Composer Tribute to Hector Junior Choir/Chorus, 2002 Lavoe Gonzalez Congas A Tribute to Mario 2001 Rudy Calzado Congas Bauza Bill O’Connell Congas, Shekere, 2001 Black Sand Latin Jazz Vocals Project Year Album Artist William Cepeda 2001 Branching Out & Afrorican Vocals Jazz Calle 54 [Music from Bata, Iya, Vocals, 2001 the Motion Picture] Voices 2001 Shadows in the Air Jack Bruce Congas The More We Know: 30 2001 Congas Years of Enja Records The Smooth Jazz 2001 Percussion Piano: Ebony & Ivory You Are #6: More Congas, Guest 2001 Music for Six Don Byron Artist, Musicians Percussion, Vocals 2000 Fool No More Peter Eldridge Congas, Shekere Greatest Hits: Vocals 2000 Shining Like a Paul Simon (Background) National Guitar Vocals 2000 Japanese Sandman Freddy Gardner (Background) Coros, Guest 2000 Libre Increible Artist Bata, Chant, Masterpiece/Obra 2000 Tito Puente Featured Artist, Maestra Primary Artist Arranger, Choir/Chorus, 2000 Terra Nova Megadrums Composer, Itotele, Iya, Shekere, Vocals The Goldberg 2000 Percussion Variations 2000 Two Shades of Blue Ed Byrne Percussion Year Album Artist Afro-Cuban Grooves, Congas, Vocals 1999 Vol. 4 [Melodie] (Background) Guest Artist, 1999 Ahora Manny Oquendo Vocals (Background) Featured Artist, 1999 At the Point, Vol. 1 Papo Vazquez Percussion Composer, Primary 1999 Cambucha Milton Cardona Artist, Producer, Vocals Guest Artist, 1999 La Formula Original Oscar D’León Vocals Congas, 1999 Sunshower Dave Valentin Percussion, Shakere Paquito Congas, Guest 1999 Tropicana Nights d’Rivera Artist Visions of Music: 1999 Congas World Jazz Congas, Unknown 1998 Art of Rhythm Tom Harrell Contributor Role Best of Ellipsis Performer, Primary 1998 Arts: Global Artist Meditation Commit to Bata Drums, 1998 Memory/Paunetto’s Bobby Paunetto Claves, Congas, Point Guiro Congas, Fragments of a Valdinho Percussion, 1998 Journey Langer Performer, Primary Artist, Voices Year Album Artist From Worldbeat to 1998 Percussion Bluenote Armando Congas, Guest 1998 Havana Blues Rodriguez Artist, Percussion Hermanos de la 1998 Hermanos de la Salsa Congas Salsa Jazz Central Station, 1998 Trumpet Vol. 2 Guest Artist, 1998 La Bikina Vocals Chekere, Unknown 1998 Shadow Nights, Vol. 1 Kip Hanrahan Contributor Role Congas, Coro, Producer, Unknown This Night Becomes a 1998 Deep Rumba Contributor Role, Rumba Vocals (Background) 65th Birthday Celebration: Live at 1997 Percussion the Blue Note in New York City A Harold Arlen 1997 Harold Arlen Percussion Songbook A Thousand Nights and 1997 a Night (Shadow Kip Hanrahan Congas Night) Percussion, 1997 America/Brasil Herbie Mann Unknown Contributor Role Congas, Guest 1997 Island Eyes Hilton Ruiz Artist, Percussion Year Album Artist Latin Jazz Highlights: 1997 Bata Messidor’s Finest, Vol. 5 Latin Jazz for 1997 Lovers: Messidor’s Bata Finest, Vol. 4 Congas, Guest 1997 Meltdown Jonny King Artist, Percussion 1997 Messidor’s Finest Mario Bauzá Bata Yolandita Vocals 1997 Mi Encuentro Monge (Background) Monsters from the Lawrence 1997 Cuban Percussion Deep Weiner Nu Yorica 2!: Further Arranger, Chekere, Adventures in Latin 1997 Iya, Primary Music Chango in the Artist, Vocals New World Mingus Big 1997 Que Viva Mingus! Congas Band 1997 Rise Veronica Percussion Bongos, Claves, Congas, Guira, Songs from The 1997 Paul Simon Maracas, Marimba, Capeman Vocals (Background) 1997 Spheres of Influence Brian Lynch Guest Artist 1997 The Brass Orchestra J.J. Johnson Percussion Guest Artist, 1996 Dangerous Marlena Shaw Percussion Year Album Artist Bata, Guest Artist, Main 1996 Jazzin’ Tito Puente Personnel, Vocals (Background) Bata Drums, Batá Drums, Chant, Latin Side of John 1996 Congas, Guest Coltrane Artist, Percussion, Vocals Arranger, Congas, Reinhard 1996 Layers of Time Drums, Shekere, Flatischler Vocals Bata, Bongos, Choir/Chorus, 1996 Papa Boco Adela Dalto Congas, Coro, Unknown Contributor Role Percussion, 1996 Primitive Passions Dave Valentin Trumpet Congas, Guest 1996 Steve Turre Steve Turre Artist, Shakere Bata Drums, Batá Drums, Drums, 1996 Street Scenes David Sanchez Guest Artist, Percussion, Shekere 1995 Afro-Cuba Bata All Roads Are Made of 1995 Kip Hanrahan Congas the Flesh 1995 Arrebatame Roy Tavare Percussion Cab Calloway Stands 1995 Conjure Congas in for the Moon Year Album Artist Vocals 1995 Cantar o No Cantar (Background) 1995 Edward Simon Edward Simon Percussion Conjunto 1995 Llego La Ley Coros Clasico Congas, Guest 1995 Medianoche Artist, Percussion Congas, Guiro, 1995 Rhythm Within Steve Turre Shaker, Unknown Contributor Role Si No Bailen con Conjunto 1995 Ellos, No Bailen con Coros Clasico Nadie Choir/Chorus, 1995 The Perez Family Congas Congas, Vocals 1995 Tras La Tormenta Willie Colón (Background) Conjunto Coros, Vocals 1995 Tus Dulces Labios Clasico (Background) Festival 1995 Congas Budapest Maridalia 1994 Amorosa Bongos, Congas Hernandez El Dulce Aroma Del 1994 Bata, Chekere Exito Congas, Vocals 1994 Forever Mon Rivera (Background) Coros, Vocals, Mejor Que Nunca 1994 Manny Oquendo Vocals (Better Than Ever) (Background) Year Album Artist Congas, Guest Artist, 1994 Sketches of Dreams David Sanchez Percussion, Quinto, Shaker, Shekere Rabih Abou- Congas, Guest 1994 Sultan’s Picnic Khalil Artist Guest Artist, 1994 The Departure David Sanchez Percussion Voices of the Spirit: Performer, Primary 1994 Songs & Chants Artist Performer, Unknown 1993 American Clave Contributor Role Congas, Percussion, 1993 Breakout Papo Vazquez Vocals, Vocals (Background) Ramón Vocals, Vocals 1993 El Dulcero Rodríguez (Background) Junior 1993 Lo Pasado, Pasado Choir/Chorus Gonzalez 1993 Lost Voices Bill O’Connell Percussion 1993 My Time is Now Mario Bauzá Bata, Drums Choir/Chorus, 1993 Otra Noche Caliente Louie Ramirez Unknown Contributor Role Claves, Congas, Steve Turre Guiro, Guitarron, 1993 Sanctified Shells Sanctified Percussion, Shells Shaker, Shakere Bata, Bells, 1993 The Journey Danilo Pérez Chant, Shekere Year Album Artist The Master & the 1993 Héctor Lavoe Vocals Protege Congas, Drums, Percussion, 1993 The Scene is Clean Ronnie Cuber Unknown Contributor Role Congas, Percussion, 1993 Tropic Heat Dave Valentin Unknown Contributor Role Rabih Abou- 1992 Blue Camel Congas Khalil Bata, Bata Drums, 1992 Decision Seis Del Solar Drums, Vocals Vocals 1992 El Que Mas Sabe Cuco Valoy (Background) Main Personnel, 1992 Exotica Kip Hanrahan Unknown Contributor Role Composer, Global Meditation, 1992 Performer, Primary Vols. 1-4… Artist Choir/Chorus, Llegó La India Vía 1992 India Congas, Guest Eddie Palmieri Artist, Shaker Congas, Cowbell, 1992 Red Sun Dave Valentin Percussion 1992 Tiempo Al Tiempo Danny Rivera Percussion Bata, Bata Drums, 1992 Uh-Oh David Byrne Drums, Main Personnel 1991 Aidalai Mecano Guest Artist Year Album Artist Vocals, Vocals 1991 Chango Te Llama Daniel Ponce (Background) 1991 Electric Landlady Kirsty MacColl Congas Arranger, Bata Drums, Drums, 1991 Musical Portraits Dave Valentin Vocals (Background) The Mambo Kings [1992 1991 Congas Original Soundtrack] Margareth Surdo, Vocals 1990 Elegibô Menezes (Background) Composer, Global Meditation, 1990 Performer, Primary Vol. 3: Pulse of Life Artist Now You See It…Now Michael 1990 Percussion You Don’t Brecker Congas, Guest 1990 Tenderness Kip Hanrahan Artist, Percussion Bata, Choir/Chorus, Claves, Congas, Iya, Main Personnel, Quinto, 1989 Rei Momo David Byrne Shekere, Tambor, Unknown Contributor Role, Vocals (Background) Conjunto Coros, Group 1988 Clasico “88” Clasico Member Year Album Artist Conjure: Cab Calloway 1988 Stands in for the Kip Hanrahan Congas Moon Days and Nights of 1988 Kip Hanrahan Congas Blue Luck Inverted Bata, Chekere, 1988 Obatalá Jerry Gonzalez Composer, Guest Artist, Vocals 1988 Ritmo en el Corazon Guest Artist Conjunto 1987 Asi Es Mi Pueblo Coros Clasico Choir/Chorus, Main 1987 Héctor Lavoe Personnel, Vocals 1987 The Winners Celia Cruz Choir/Chorus A Few Short Notes Congas, Quinto, 1985 Kip Hanrahan from the End Run Shekere Composer, Leader, Percussion, 1985 Bembe Milton Cardona Primary Artist, Vocals Conjure: Music for Congas, Organ, 1985 the Texts of Ishmael Percussion, Quinto Reed 1985 Jicamo Congas Choir/Chorus, Congas, Coro, Main 1985 Héctor Lavoe Personnel, Percussion, Vocals (Background) Year Album Artist Bongos, Congas, Featured Artist, 1985 Vertical’s Currency Kip Hanrahan Unknown Contributor Role Fania All- 1984 Lo Que Pide La Gente Congas Stars Congas, Main 1984 Tiempo Pa’ Matar Willie Colón Personnel, Percussion Choir/Chorus, 1983 Vigilante Héctor Lavoe Congas, Coro Congas, Main 1982 Corazón Guerrero Willie Colón Personnel Chekere, Desire Develops an 1982 Kip Hanrahan Conductor, Congas, Edge Guest Artist Batá Drums, Drums, 1982 Sueño Eddie Palmieri Percussion, Vocals (Background) Choir/Chorus, Congas, Main 1982 The Last Fight Rubén Blades Personnel, Percussion 1982 Ya Yo Me Cure Jerry Gonzalez Vocals Canciones del Solar Musician, 1981 Rubén Blades de los Aburridos Performer Choir/Chorus, Congas, Coros, 1981 Celia & Willie Celia Cruz Main Personnel, Tumbadora Year Album Artist Chequere, Choir/Chorus, Claves, Main 1981 Fantasmas Willie Colón Personnel, Quinto, Surdo, Tumba, Vocals 1981 Incredible Manny Oquendo Coro, Guest Artist Choir/Chorus, 1981 ¡Que Sentimiento! Héctor Lavoe Coro, Vocals (Background) 1980 Celia/Johnny/Pete Celia Cruz Bata Charangueando Con La 1980 Tipica ’73 Quinto Tipica 73 Additional 1980 Cristina Cristina Personnel, Guest Artist, Percussion Choir/Chorus, 1980 Doble Energía Ismael Miranda Congas, Main Personnel, Vocals Choir/Chorus, 1980 Héctor Lavoe Coro, Vocals (Background) Choir/Chorus, Maestra Vida: Primera Claves, Coro, 1980 Rubén Blades Parte Coros, Quinto, Tumbadora Choir/Chorus, Claves, Congas, Maestra Vida: Segunda Coros, Main 1980 Rubén Blades Parte Personnel, Quinto, Tumbadora, Vocals (Background) Year Album Artist Vocals 197? Incredible Conjunto Libre (Background) Choir/Chorus, 1979 Feliz Navidad Héctor Lavoe Congas, Main Personnel Drums, Percussion, 1979 Legends Dave Valentin Vocals New York City 1979 New York City Band Percussion Band Choir/Chorus, 1978 Comedia Héctor Lavoe Congas 1978 El Albino Divino Larry Harlow Drums Orchestra 1978 Rumbambola Bata, Chequere Harlow 1978 The Brillante Celia Cruz Coro El Baquiné de Congas, Main 1977 Willie Colón Angelitos Negros Personnel, Soloist Bata, Composer, 1977 El Jardinero del Amor Larry Harlow Shaker Grupo Claves, Konnakol, Folklorico y 1977 Lo Dice Todo Palo de Lluvia, Experimental Quinto, Tres Golpe Nueva Yorquino Choir/Chorus, Claves, Congas, 1977 ! Rubén Blades Coro, Drums, Quinto, Talking Drum, Tambor Year Album Artist Chekere, Choir/Chorus, Only They Could Have 1977 Celia Cruz Congas, Main Made This Album Personnel, Vocals (Background) 1977 Para Gozar Borinquen Tito Gomez Vocals The Flamboyan All Congas, Vocals 1977 Frankie Dante Star Band (Background) Choir/Chorus, Jose Mangual 1977 Tribute to Chano Pozo Congas, Coro, Jr. Percussion 1976 Con Mi Viejo Amigo Ismael Miranda Bass Bata Drums, Con Salsa…Con Ritmo, 1976 Conjunto Libre Congas, Guest Vol. 1 Artist Grupo Folklorico y 1976 Concepts in Unity Liner Notes Experimental Nueva Yorquino Choir/Chorus, (It’s Congas, Coro, Main 1976 Héctor Lavoe Up to You) Personnel, Percussion, Vocals 1976 Dos Percussion 1975 La Voz Héctor Lavoe Congas Congas, Main Personnel, The Good, the Bad, 1975 Willie Colón Percussion, the Ugly Percussion (Brazilian) There Goes the 1975 Mon Rivera Congas Neighborhood Year Album Artist 1974 Salsa Larry Harlow Bata, Choir/Chorus Clifford 1974 The Gardens of Harlem Percussion Thornton Congas, Main Asalto Navideño, Vol. 1973 Héctor Lavoe Personnel, 2 Percussion Congas, Main 1973 Lo Mato Willie Colón Personnel Congas, Main 1972 Willie Colón Personnel 1970 Asalto Navideño Héctor Lavoe Congas, Percussion Conjunto 1970 Conjunto Clasico Coros Clasico Conga Drum, 1970 Willie Colón Congas, Main Personnel 1969 Willie Colón Congas 1967 Boogaloo ’67 Johnny Colon Congas 1967 Boogaloo Blues Johnny Colon Choir/Chorus, Coro Franklin Franklin Micare Congas Micare Una Dinastia Mangual Coro Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/27/arts/music/milton-cardona-ke eper-of-new-york-salsas-beat-dies-at-69.html?_r=0