Sabu Martinez

Louis "Sabu" Martinez (July 14, 1930 – January 13, 1979) was an American conguero of Puerto Rican descent. A prominent player in the Cubop movement, Martinez appeared on many important recordings and live performances during that period. Martinez also recorded several Latin jazz albums, now recognized as classics of the genre.

Born in New York City, Martinez made his professional debut in 1941 aged 11. He replaced Chano Pozo in Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra in 1948, and began performing with Benny Goodman's Bebop Orchestra in 1949. Over the next 15 years, Martinez worked with Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, J. J. Johnson, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Mary Lou Williams, Lionel Hampton, Noro Morales, Marcelino Guerra, Esy Morales, the Lecuona Cuban Boys, Miguelito Valdés, Tito Rodríguez, and the Joe Loco Trio. He also worked with vocalists Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Harry Belafonte.

Martinez first recorded with Art Blakey in 1953, and contributed to his Orgy in Rhythm and Holiday for Skins projects from 1957 to 1958. Martinez became a bandleader in 1957, recording his debut album, Palo Congo, for the Blue Note label. He followed it up with releases on Vik and Alegre Records. Martinez moved to Sweden in 1967 and recorded with the Francy Boland-Kenny Clarke big band, releasing two albums. Subsequently, he led the group Burnt Sugar, which was active into the mid 1970s. On January 13, 1979, he died in Sweden at the age of 48 from a gastric ulcer.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 14, 1930 (New York City), Died January 13, 1979 (Stockholm)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1948 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D8VB-4148 10-in. 12/29/1948 Guarachi guaro Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, drums  
Victor D8VB-4149 10-in. 12/29/1948 Duff capers Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra ; Dizzy Gillespie ; Dizzy Gillespie Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor D8VB-4150 10-in. 12/29/1948 Lover, come back to me Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra ; Dizzy Gillespie ; Dizzy Gillespie Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor D8VB-4151 10-in. 12/29/1948 I'm be boppin' too Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Martinez, Sabu," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/358893.

Martinez, Sabu. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/358893.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/358893

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