Willie Bobo | |
|---|---|
 Bobo at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society inHalf Moon Bay,California in 1979 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Correa |
| Born | (1934-02-28)February 28, 1934 East Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 15, 1983(1983-09-15) (aged 49) |
| Genres | Latin jazz,Afro-Cuban jazz,Boogaloo |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Timbales,conga,various percussion instruments |
William Correa (February 28, 1934[1] – September 15, 1983),[2] better known by his stage nameWillie Bobo, was an AmericanLatin jazzpercussionist of Puerto Rican descent. Bobo rejected the stereotypical expectations ofLatino music and was noted for his versatility as an authentic Latin percussionist as well as a jazz drummer easily moving stylistically fromjazz, Latin andrhythm and blues music.[3][1]
Born William Correa to a Puerto Rican family, Bobo grew up inSpanish Harlem, New York City, United States.[1][4] His father played thecuatro, a ten stringed guitar-like instrument. As a teenager, Bobo taught himself thebongos and later thecongas,timbales anddrums.[4][5] In 1947, Bobo started working as aband boy forMachito in order to gain entrance to the band's concerts, sometimes filling in on percussion.[4]
At age 12, he began his professional career as a dancer and two years later made his recording debut as a bongo player.[6]
He metMongo Santamaría shortly after his arrival in New York and studied with him while acting as his translator.[1] In the early 1950s, Bobo recorded withMary Lou Williams.[3] She is said to have first given the nicknameBobo.[7][6]
From 1954 until 1957, Bobo played with Tito Puente's band as part of the percussion section alongside Santamaria.[4][1] Bobo joinedGeorge Shearing's band on the albumThe Shearing Spell.[1]
After leaving Shearing,Cal Tjader asked Bobo and Santamaría to become part of the Cal Tjader Modern Mambo Quintet, who released several albums as themambo craze reached fever pitch in the late 1950s.[1] Reuniting with his mentor Santamaría in 1960, the pair released the albumSabroso! for theFantasy label. Bobo later formed his own group, releasingDo That Thing/Guajira with Tico andBobo's Beat andLet's Go Bobo for Roulette, without achieving huge market penetration.[7]
After the success of Tjader'sSoul Sauce, in which he was heavily involved, Bobo formed a new band with the backing ofVerve Records, releasingSpanish Grease, the title track being perhaps his most well known tune.[1] Highly successful at this attempt, Bobo released a further six albums with Verve.[7]
In 1969, he moved to Los Angeles.[1] He again met up with his longtime friend Richard Sanchez Sr. and his son Richard Jr. and began recording in the studio. Bobo then worked as asession musician forCarlos Santana among others, as well as being a regular in the band forBill Cosby's variety showCos.[1] Santana covered Willie Bobo's Latin song "Evil Ways" (written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry) in 1969 ontheir debut album. In the late 1970s, Bobo recorded albums forBlue Note andColumbia Records.[7]
Bobo's youngest son,Eric Bobo (Eric Correa), is a percussionist with crewCypress Hill. He also performed on theBeastie Boys' 1994 albumIll Communication.[7] His grandson, William Valen Correa, is co-founder of the music-based non-profit organization HNDP Los Angeles.
After a period of ill health, Bobo died at the age of 49, succumbing to cancer.[6]
WithNat Adderley
WithDorothy Ashby
WithBob Brookmeyer
WithDave Burns
WithMiles Davis
WithVictor Feldman
WithJosé Feliciano
WithBenny Golson
WithDexter Gordon
WithGrant Green
WithChico Hamilton
WithSlide Hampton
WithHerbie Hancock
WithEddie Harris
WithBobby Hutcherson
WithHerbie Mann
WithLes McCann
WithGary McFarland
WithBuddy Miles
WithWes Montgomery
WithOliver Nelson
WithDave Pike
WithTito Puente
WithIke Quebec
WithTerry Reid
WithDannie Richmond
WithCharlie Rouse
WithA. K. Salim
WithMongo Santamaria
WithDoc Severinsen
WithSonny Stitt
WithGábor Szabó
WithClark Terry
WithCal Tjader
WithDon Wilkerson
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| National | |
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| Other | |
