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Machito

Machito (born Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, December 3, 1909 – April 15, 1984) was a Latin jazz musician who helped refine Afro-Cuban jazz and create both Cubop and salsa music. He was raised in Havana with the singer Graciela, his foster sister.

In New York City, Machito formed the Afro-Cubans in 1940, and with Mario Bauzá as musical director, brought together Cuban rhythms and big band arrangements in one group. He made numerous recordings from the 1940s to the 1980s, many with Graciela as singer. Machito changed to a smaller ensemble format in 1975, touring Europe extensively. He brought his son and daughter into the band, and received a Grammy Award in 1983, one year before he died.

Machito's music had an effect on the careers of many musicians who played in the Afro-Cubans over the years, and on those who were attracted to Latin jazz after hearing him. George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Stan Kenton credited Machito as an influence. An intersection in East Harlem is named "Machito Square" in his honor.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 16, 1912 (New York City), Died April 15, 1984 (London)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1938 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, vocalist, composer

Notes: Frank Grillo is known by his nickname, "Machito."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 76 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 71112 10-in. 7/20/1942 Yo saluda Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71113 10-in. 7/20/1942 Eco Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71199 10-in. 7/27/1942 Carambu Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71200 10-in. 7/27/1942 Drume negrita Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71201 10-in. 7/27/1942 Zarabanda Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71202 10-in. 7/27/1942 Bim bam boom Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71203 10-in. 7/27/1942 Rica pulpa Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71204 10-in. 7/27/1942 Sensemaya Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71205 10-in. 7/27/1942 Oye negra Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 71206 10-in. 7/27/1942 Nague Miguelito Valdés leader  
Decca 81473 9/4/1951 Walter Winchell rhumba Miguelito Valdés y su Conjunto leader  
Decca 81474 9/4/1951 La negra leono Miguelito Valdés y su Conjunto leader  
Decca 81475 9/4/1951 Escucha mi son Miguelito Valdés y su Conjunto leader  
Decca 81476 9/4/1951 Babalu Miguelito Valdés y su Conjunto leader  
Decca 105841 10/17/1958 Guaglione Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105842 10/17/1958 Cocktails for two Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105843 10/17/1958 The Continental Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105844 10/17/1958 Patricia Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105845 10/23/1958 Ecstasy Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105846 10/23/1958 Me lo dijo Adela Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105847 10/23/1958 Torero Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105848 10/23/1958 Cha cha cha loco Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105849 10/27/1958 Mambo la concord Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105850 10/27/1958 El aji Caribe Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
Decca 105851 10/27/1958 Cotillion mambo Afro-Cubans ; Machito leader  
(Results 51-75 of 76 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Machito," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105915.

Machito. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105915.

"Machito." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105915

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