Ray Mantilla & the New Space Station

Oct 18, 2012 @ 8:00pm

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 which have established him as one of the most significant and well-recorded jazz and Latin percussionists on the current scene.
The New Space Station
Chucho Cruz de Valle Martínez
Bassist Cruz del Valle Martínez has played with Cedar Walton’s Latin Tinge, New Xavier Cugat Orchestra, the Bebo Valdés Or- chestra, Horace Silver and Mongo Santamaria.
Enrique Fernández
Dominican multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger, Enrique Fernandez, his began musical studies at age seven on piano and later, clarinet. His growing love for jazz lead Enrique to study with acclaimed jazz saxophonists Hadley Caliman, Joe Henderson, John Handy while attending SF State University in the 1970s. After a brief return to Santo Domingo, Enrique toured Europe in the 80’s and then settled in Paris. He returned to NYC in 1987 and he has performed, recorded and toured extensively in the genres of jazz, Latin jazz and salsa, primarily with Latin jazz pioneer Mario Bauzá.
Diego Lopez
Born in Milan Italy, Diego began playing drums at age 11. In 1991 Diego relocated to the United States, settling in Chicago where he toured with numerous blues legends including Pinetop Perkins and Otis Rush. In 2000 Diego established himself on New York’s mu- sic scene. In 2002 he joined Gato Barbieri’s band and toured world- wide. He has worked as a sideman with numerous artists including Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project, Oscar Hernandez, Hilton Ruiz, Paquito D’ Rivera, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Mantilla, and Joe Bataan.
Eddy Martínez
Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger Martínez studied at Colombia’s National University. He soon became very involved in jazz, though his first gig was with vocalist Yolima Pérez who sang cha cha chas. After settling down in New York, Martínez began an impressive career as musician and producer, recording and playing along with Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Gato Barbieri and Ti- to Puente; participating on the Last Tango In Paris’ soundtrack; and touring America and Europe with Irazú and Conexión Latina.