Carlos Patato Valdes carlos patato valdes (November 4, 1926 – December 4, 2007) was a Cuban-born American conga player. In 1955 he emigrated from Cuba to New York City where he played with Willie Bobo in Harlem. He was also known by the name “Patato”. He invented and patented the tunable conga drum (earlier drums had nailed heads) which revolutionized use of the instrument. Tito Puente called him “the greatest conguero alive today.”Since the 1950s Patato was among the congueros that were in highest demand in the Latin Music and jazz world. He played, toured and recorded together with singer Miguelito Valdés, Perez Prado, Beny Moré, Cachao López, with Tito Puente, Machito, Herbie Mann, Kenny Dorham, Cal Tjader, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones and other, also with Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones, accompanying both on extended tours throughout Europe, and with the late Mario Bauza. Patato acted in and composed the title song of The Bill Cosby Show. In 1991 he contributed to the movie soundtrack for The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. Patato was the leader of his own band ‘Afrojazzia’, which toured Europe in the spring of 1994.
A lifetime smoker, carlos patato valdes had emphysema and died of respiratory failure in Cleveland, Ohio on December 4, 2007.
For over 60 years Carlos “Patato” Valdez demonstrated how a musician could combine technical skill with superb showmanship. His conga playing demonstrated the fusion of melody and rhythm. It also reflected his keen understanding of rhythm as a biological constant that is rooted, quite literally, in the human heartbeat. During his performances, Patato even mastered the art of playing his congas while dancing on top of them, to the delight of the audience.
Valdes dazzled audiences well into his seventies with his rumba moves. He is also the man who gave Brigitte Bardot a mambo lesson in the film And God Created Woman. Valdez also expressed his understanding of melody through bass and tres, the Cuban folk guitar.
During the late 1940s he helped develop the first tunable congas, as earlier models were tuned by the unwieldy method of heating them with a sterno can. His interest in design, as well as his friendship with LP Founder Martin Cohen, led to the development of the LP Patato Model Congas, one of the top- selling conga drums of all time.
Personal lifeVakdes was the father of Carlos Hernandez, better known as Chick Hernandez, a news anchor for NBC.
Discography
With Dizzy Gillespie
The Ebullient Mr. Gillespie (Verve, 1959) Have Trumpet, Will Excite! (Verve, 1959) Portrait of Jenny (Perception, 1970)
With Johnny Griffin
Soul Groove (Atlantic, 1963) – with Matthew Gee
With Sonny Stitt
Stitt Goes Latin (Roost, 1963)
Video Links:
Credits
Year Album Artist Complete Instrumental 2013 Ike Quebec Percussion Sessions 2013 Seven Classic Albums Grant Green Congas Year Album Artist The Sound of America: 2013 The Singles Cornet Collection Strike Up the Band: 2012 Quincy Jones Percussion 1959-1961 2011 Eight Classic Albums Kenny Dorham Congas The 100 Best Jazz 2011 Congas Tunes of the 1950’s 2010 Douglas on Blue Note Congas Jazz Signatures, Vol. 2009 Congas 3 2009 Marco di Mauro Marco di Mauro Vocal Director 2009 Para Olvidarte de Mí RBD Vocal Director African Rhythms [Blue 2008 Congas Note] Vocal Director, 2008 Best of RBD RBD Vocal Recording Recording, Vocal 2008 La Historia RBD Director Congas, 2008 Verve Unmixed, Vol. 4 Percussion Florida Funk: 2007 Congas 1968-1975 Frequent Flyer: 2007 Composer Havana 2006 31:31 Annette Peacock Percussion Introducing Herbie Congas, 2006 Mann [Wea Herbie Mann Percussion International] Year Album Artist Congas, Guest Musica Original de 2006 Luis Santi Artist, Main Cuba Personnel Musica Original de Paquito Congas, Main 2006 Cuba Hechavarria Personnel Sax (Soprano), 2006 Vania Vania Sax (Tenor) Anthology: The Soul- 2005 Jazz Fusion Years Freddie Hubbard Congas, Maracas 66-82 2005 Funk Elements Primary Artist 2005 Luna Negra Luna Negra Sax (Tenor) Mosaic Select: Johnny 2005 Johnny Richards Congas Richards 2005 NEA Jazz Masters Dizzy Gillespie Congas Recording, Vocal 2005 Nuestro Amor RBD Director Spotlight on Music: Performer, 2005 Grade 4 Disc 18 Primary Artist Congas, Guest The Essential Tito 2005 Tito Puente Artist, Main Puente Personnel Congas, Main 2004 20 Años Bebo Valdés Personnel, Maracas Patato, 3 Generations of 2004 Lucrecia y Primary Artist Cuban Musicians Paquito 2004 Cosas de la Calle Kubavana Trumbadoras 2004 Cox Cox Composer Year Album Artist Carlos “Patato” Congas, Maracas, 2004 El Hombre Valdes Primary Artist Production 2004 Flores de Alquiler La 5ª Estación Assistant 2004 Funkia Mike Longo Percussion Jazziz: On The Latin 2004 Primary Artist Side Masters at Work 2004 Present Latin Verve Masters at Work Primary Artist Sounds 2003 Cuba 1923-1995 Congas Cuban All Stars: The 2003 Best from the Heart Primary Artist of Cuba De Tal Palo… Tal 2003 Lazaro Valdes Sax (Tenor) Valdes I Heard It on NPR: At 2003 Primary Artist Home in the World 2003 Inolvidablemente Moncho Metales Mosaic Select: Duke Congas, Guiro, 2003 Duke Pearson Pearson Shaker Playtime, Vol. 2: 2003 Pure Latin Soul and Primary Artist Boogaloo Michael Philip Congas, Guest 2003 The Orisha Suite Mossman Artist, Soloist 2003 Verve Remixed, Vol. 2 Congas Verve 2003 Remixed/Unmixed, Vol. Congas 2 Year Album Artist Willie Bobo’s Finest 2003 Willie Bobo Congas Hour Cuando Duerme la 2002 Moneda Dura Saxophone Habana Eager Hands and 2002 Restless Feet: The Tony Allen Congas Best of Tony Allen Ilustrado Caballero Clarinet, Sax 2002 Gerardo Alfonso de Paris (Tenor), Soloist 2002 Llego Hasta Ti Yamile Sax (Tenor) 2002 Milagro/Sacred Fire Santana Composer 2002 Pyramids And Palms Project Natale Percussion 2002 Retrospective Grant Green Congas The Best of the 2002 Herbie Mann Congas Atlantic Years Afro-Cuban Grooves, Performer, 2001 Vol. 4 [Wagram] Primary Artist Calle 54 [Music from 2001 Congas the Motion Picture] Cuban Masters: Los Congas, 2001 Los Originales Originales Percussion Diggin’ the Crates 2001 Primary Artist for Afro-Cuban Funk Congas, 2001 El Arte del Sabor Bebo Valdés Percussion 2001 Jazz Descargas The Conga Kings Congas LRC Jazz Legacy 2001 Anthology: Everyday I Percussion Have the Blues Year Album Artist Live at the Whisky A 2001 Go Go/Mississippi Herbie Mann Congas Gambler Mapleshade’s Music 2001 Congas Festival 2001 Matrix Dizzy Gillespie Congas 2001 Right Now/Latin Fever Herbie Mann Congas Roots of Afro-Cuban 2001 Congas Jazz Saoco! Masters of Bongos, Congas, 2001 Afro-Cuban Jazz Percussion Orquesta 2001 Sonado A Melodias Guiro Melodias del 40 2001 Sunwheels Michael Marcus Guest Artist The Beat Goes On/The 2001 Herbie Mann String Herbie Mann Congas Album The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba: Performer, 2001 Continental Drift – Primary Artist Explosive Musical Connection Time Remembered: LRC 2001 Percussion Jazz Legacy Anthology A Cuba Without Performer, 2000 Borders Primary Artist Carlos “Patato” 2000 African Crossroads Primary Artist Valdes Composer, Primary 2000 Authority Patato Artist, Quinto, Vocals Year Album Artist Complete Blue Note 2000 Elvin Jones Congas Elvin Jones Sessions Composer, Congas, Guest Artist, 2000 Conga Kings Candido Primary Artist, Vocals Fantasy Presents 2000 Maracas Latin Jazz Orlando 2000 Guaguanco Primary Artist Contreras I Love Salsa 2000 Primary Artist [Manteca] 2000 Latin Fever 2000 Guitar 2000 Latino Blue Congas New York Latin Jazz New York Latin 2000 Allstars: Feliz Congas Jazz Allstars Navidad 2000 No Que Bueno Esta Bamboleo Sax (Tenor) The Legend of Cuban Composer, Congas, 2000 Patato Percussion Primary Artist Carlos “Patato” 2000 Unico y Diferente Primary Artist Valdes Afro Cuban Jazz: 1999 Percussion 1947-1960 Afro-Cuban Grooves, Performer, 1999 Vol. 4 [Melodie] Primary Artist Congas, 1999 Blue Bossa, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist Cuba, I Am Time, Vol. 1999 Congas, Guiro 4: Cubano Jazz Year Album Artist Do the Bossa Nova 1999 with Herbie Mann/My Herbie Mann Percussion Kinda Groove Congas, Guest 1999 High Heel Sneakers Doug Lawrence Artist 1999 Mañana Vendras Conjunto Casino Congas Rhythm & Time: Global Composer, Primary 1999 Percussion Songs Artist, Vocals So Blue, So Funky, 1999 Congas Vol. 2 1999 The Heart of a Legend Chico O’Farrill Congas, Maracas Exitos 1998 En House Guitar Vallenatos Percussion, 1998 Mambo Mania [Charly] Vocals Composer, Mambo Mania: Talkin’ 1998 Performer, Verve Primary Artist 1998 Para Bailar Mi Son Rolo Martinez Sax (Tenor) Percussion, 1998 Remembering Clifford Benny Golson Unknown Contributor Role Sabroso: The Afro- 1998 Congas Latin Groove Composer, Congas, Uno Dos Tres: Latin 1998 Performer, Jazz Grooves Primary Artist Afro Cuban Grooves, 1997 Primary Artist Vol. 2 Performer, 1997 Best of Ellipsis Arts Primary Artist Year Album Artist 1997 Cuba: I Am Time Congas, Guiro Special 1997 Due Rights Michael Raye Participation 1997 Embajadores Los Embajadores Composer Fiesta Picante: The 1997 Latin Jazz Party Congas Collection Jazz ‘Round Midnight: 1997 Quincy Jones Percussion Quincy Jones 1997 Jazz Profile Grant Green Congas Latin Jazz Highlights: 1997 Congas, Maracas Messidor’s Finest, Vol. 5 Latin Jazz for Congas, Guiro, 1997 Lovers: Messidor’s Maracas Finest, Vol. 4 Like a Thief in the 1997 Mike Longo Percussion Night Enriquillo Composer, Congas, 1997 Melodia Para Congras Fernandez Guiro, Maracas 1997 Messidor’s Finest Mario Bauzá Congas, Guiro Nu Yorica 2!: Further Adventures in Latin Percussion, 1997 Music Chango in the Vocals New World Performer, 1997 Rough Guide to Salsa Primary Artist Performer, 1997 Ska Zone Primary Artist 1997 Talkin’ Verve Willie Bobo Congas Year Album Artist Composer, The Best of Ellipsis Performer, 1997 Arts: Big Bang Primary Artist, Producer The Best of Tito 1997 Puente: El Rey del Tito Puente Congas Timbal! This Is Boston…Not Engineer, 1997 Austin, Vol. 2 Producer Los 1996 Canela y Cana Composer Españolisimos 1996 En Cumbanchoa Conjunto Casino Tumbadora Giants/Portrait of 1996 Dizzy Gillespie Congas Jenny Jammin’ in the Bronx: Composer, Congas, 1996 A Live Concert Performer, Tribute to Machito Primary Artist 1996 Legends of Salsa Bass Composer Nu Yorica! Culture 1996 Clash in New York Congas City Congas, Main 1996 Ritmo y Sabor Manteca Personnel 1996 Serie 20 Exitos Los Iracundos Composer Talkin’ Verve: Roots 1996 Cal Tjader Congas of Acid Jazz The Best of Kenny 1996 Dorham: Blue Note Kenny Dorham Congas Years Year Album Artist Bongos, Congas, Guiro, Maracas, United Nations of 1996 Performer, Messidor Primary Artist, Producer 1996 Verve Jazz Masters 56 Herbie Mann Bongos, Congas Congas, 1995 Afro-Cuba Percussion Composer, Performer, Drums of the Earth, 1995 Primary Artist, Vol. 1 [Ethnic] Quinto, Requinto, Vocals More Than the Mambo: Composer, 1995 Introduction to Afro- Performer, Cuban Jazz Primary Artist Pure Delight: The Essence of Quincy Quincy Jones & Percussion, 1995 Jones and His His Orchestra Vocals Orchestra (1953-1964) Patato, 1995 Ritmo Y Candela Changuito y Congas Orestes Alfredo Performer, 1995 Sonido Solido Rodriguez Primary Artist The Aluminum 1995 Wonder Boy Violin Group Yambeque: The Cuban Percussion, 1995 Progressive Side of Tito Puente Guest Artist, Tito Puente Percussion Year Album Artist Bongos, Congas, 1994 Bebo Rides Again Bebo Valdés Guest Artist, Maracas 1994 Copacabana Herbie Mann Congas Conductor, Guest 1994 Jamaica by Night Andy Hamilton Artist, Percussion 1994 Jazz Showcase Congas Mambo Beat: The 1994 Progressive Side of Tito Puente Cuban Percussion Tito Puente, Vol. 1 Spanish Grease/Uno 1994 Willie Bobo Congas Dos Tres 1-2-3 The Best of Dance 1994 Tito Puente Congas Mania Choir/Chorus, Congas, Drums, The Big Bang: In the 1994 Performer, Beginning Was a Drum Primary Artist, Producer The Evolution of Congas, 1994 Mann: The Herbie Mann Herbie Mann Percussion Anthology Congas, United Rhythms of 1994 Performer, Messidor Primary Artist 1994 Verve Jazz Masters 39 Cal Tjader Congas 1993 944 Columbus Mario Bauzá Congas 1993 Bonita Santos Colon Composer Vocals 1993 Breakout Papo Vazquez (Background) Year Album Artist 1993 Dangerous Kingdom Medicine Band Percussion 1993 Heroes Hilton Ruiz Conductor, Congas Las Charangas De Cuba 1993 Congas Y Nueva York 1993 My Time is Now Mario Bauzá Congas United Artists of 1993 Congas, Guiro Messidor 1992 Blue Bossa Congas 1992 Milagro Santana Composer Super Salsa Greats, 1992 Jerry Masucci Composer Vol. 3 Super Salsa Singers, 1992 Composer Vol. 2 The Best of Tito Guest Artist, 1992 Tito Puente Puente, Vol. 1 Percussion The Dizzy’s Diamonds: 1992 The Best of Verve Dizzy Gillespie Percussion Years Cheng, Congas, Guest Artist, 1992 The Tanga Suite Mario Bauzá Guiro, Member of Attributed Artist, Musician Compact Jazz: Cal 1989 Cal Tjader Congas, Voices Tjader 1989 Jazz Club: Piano Congas Conga Drum, Congas, Drums, 1989 Rendevous Jorge Dalto Member of Attributed Artist Year Album Artist In Concert: Live at 1988 the University of Batacumbele Composer Puerto Rico 1987 Afro Carribean Jazz Batacumbele Composer 1986 50 by Bobby Short Bobby Short Congas Jorge Dalto & Congas, Quiro, The 1985 Urban Oasis Unknown Interamerican Contributor Role Band Bata, Bata Drums, Choir/Chorus, 1984 Masterpiece Patato Valdes Composer, Congas, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Additional Personnel, Bata, 1981 Ce’ Magnifique Tito Puente Bato, Drums, Soloist Sabor, Sentimento Y 1978 Ismael Miranda Composer Pueblo 1977 Cachao Cachao Congas 1977 Live at Montreux Don Ellis Bongos, Congas 1977 Ready for Freddy Patato Primary Artist Solo Casting [Bonus 1976 William Lyall Conductor, Congas Tracks] 1974 Drum Ode David Liebman Congas First Light: The 1974 Herbie Mann Congas Family of Mann 1973 Mr. Jones Elvin Jones Congas 1972 Mississippi Gambler Herbie Mann Congas Year Album Artist Congas, Main 1970 Portrait of Jenny Dizzy Gillespie Personnel The Best of Herbie 1970 Herbie Mann Congas Mann Congas, Guest 1969 The Black Angel Freddie Hubbard Artist, Maracas 1968 Shock Treatment Don Ellis Bongos, Congas Congas, Guiro, Main Personnel, 1968 The Phantom Duke Pearson Unknown Contributor Role Impressions of the 1967 Herbie Mann Percussion Middle East 1967 New Mann at Newport Herbie Mann Percussion Composer, Congas, Member of Attributed 1967 Patato & Totico Patato y Totico Artist, Percussion, Primary Artist 1967 Swingin’ at the Gate Johnny Lytle Congas 1967 The Beat Goes On Herbie Mann Congas Live In 3 and 2/3/4 1966 Don Ellis Bongos, Congas Time Monday Night at the Congas, Drums, 1966 Herbie Mann Village Gate Main Personnel 1966 Soul Burst Cal Tjader Congas, Vocals 1965 Latin Mann Herbie Mann Percussion Standing Ovation at 1965 Herbie Mann Congas Newport 1964 Manhattan Latin Dave Pike Congas Year Album Artist 1964 Mucho Puente Tito Puente Bongos, Congas Antonio Diaz 1963 Eso Es Latin Jazz…Man Congas Mena 1963 Live at Newport Herbie Mann Percussion 1962 Bossa Nova Bacchanal Charlie Rouse Congas 1962 Right Now Herbie Mann Congas Congas, Guest 1962 The Latin Bit Grant Green Artist, Main Personnel 1961 Dance Mania, Vol. 2 Tito Puente Congas Percussion Bitter 1961 Max Roach Congas Sweet Congas, Guest 1960 A.T.’s Delight Art Taylor Artist, Main Personnel 1960 Revolving Bandstand Tito Puente Congas Congas, Guest 1960 Tambó Tito Puente Artist Flautista! Herbie Congas, Kenyan 1959 Mann Plays Afro-Cuban Herbie Mann Drum, Percussion Jazz Have Trumpet, Will Congas, Guest 1959 Dizzy Gillespie Excite! Artist 1959 Mucho Cha-Cha Tito Puente Bongos Cannonball’s Cannonball 1958 Percussion Sharpshooters Adderley 1958 Dance Mania Tito Puente Bongos, Congas Kenya: Afro-Cuban 1958 Machito Guest Artist Jazz 1958 Latin Soul Plus Jazz Machito Percussion Year Album Artist 1958 Rites of Diablo Johnny Richards Congas Orgy in Rhythm, Vol. 1957 Art Blakey Percussion 1 Orgy in Rhythm, Vol. 1957 Art Blakey Congas 1-2 Orgy in Rhythm, Vol. Congas, 1957 Art Blakey 2 Percussion Cuban Percussion, 1956 Cuban Carnival Tito Puente Guest Artist, Percussion Congas, 1956 Puente in Percussion Tito Puente Performer, Primary Artist Congas, Continuo, 1955 Afro-Cuban Kenny Dorham Main Personnel Musician, Unknown 1951 Babarabatiri Tito Puente Contributor Role Fill Your Head with Percussion Jazz Cortijo y Su La Quiniela Del Dia Composer Combo Latin Jazz [Fantasy] Maracas Member of Attributed New York Nightline Jorge Dalto Artist, Percussion Ritmo del Cuba Featured Artist Soho Blues Congas Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_%22Patato%22_Valdes