Ray Mantilla

Ray Mantilla the complete percussionist was born in 1934 not far from here on Prospect Avenue in the rhythm rich, dance-crazed atmosphere of the South Bronx where Afro-Cuban roots mixed and mingled with jazz riffs in famous ballrooms. By 21, Mantilla was on the bandstands playing conga drums along with contemporaries Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barret- to. With flutist Herbie Mann, Ray Mantilla entered the international spotlight in 1960. Then Max Roach invited him to be part of the classic “Freedom Now Suite” recording. After a stint in Puerto Rico as a trap drummer, Ray returned to the States to find himself touring nationally and in Europe and Japan with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. While with Blakey, he did studio work for 7 years recording and performing with almost every major figure in jazz including singers Eartha Kitt and Josephine Baker. In 1977, Ray Mantilla became the first North American Latin musician to step on Cuban soil since the Cuban Revolution and was an essential member of the historic goodwill ensemble led by Dizzy Gillespie. Ray Mantilla has appeared on more than 200 albums many of which with the impressive roster of musicians you’ll hear today. As a bandleader, Ray Mantilla has recorded six CDs that have established him as one of the most significant and well-recorded jazz and Latin percussionists on the current scene.