Mongo Santamaria

Cuban-born Mongo Santamaria is one of the most well-known percussionists in Latin music. In the early '60s he pioneered a new direction in Latin music by incorporating R&B, for a more mainstream sound exemplified by his 1963 Top 10 hit "Watermelon Man." He continued recording and performing as a bandleader and percussionist throughout the next three decades, still pursuing the Latin fusion style he helped inaugurate. Only his death in 2003 stilled the sound of Santamaria's drums.

• Cachao
• Cal Tjader
• Candido Y Su Huella Nortena
• Changuito
• Charlie Palmieri
• Chico O'Farrill & His Orchestra
• Clare Fischer
• Francisco Aguabella
• Herbie Mann/Bill Evans (Piano)
• Joe Cuba Sextette
• Carlos "Patato" Valdez
• Pupi Campo
• Tito Puente
• Tito Rodriguez
• Willie Bobo

• Antobal's Cubans
• Arsenio Rodriguez
• Compay Segundo
• Don Azpiazu
• Jose Fajardo & His Orchestra
• Lecuona Cuban Boys
• Machito
• Mario Bauza
• Noro Morales
• Orquesta Aragon
• Perez Prado
• Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Pineiro
• Sexteto Bolona
• Sexteto Habanero
• Xavier Cugat

• Bobby Sanabria & Acension!
• Bobby Valentin
• Charlie Sepulveda
• Eddie Palmieri
• Giovanni Hidalgo
• Joe Bataan
• Johnny Pacheco
• Louie Ramirez/Ray De La Paz
• Monguito Santamaria
• Poncho Sanchez
• Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers
• Ray Barretto
• Snowboy & The Latin Section
• Willie Colon

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