The Bongo Master is Back and Smoking
Jack Costanzo: Back From Havana

For those of you that grew up with the classics of Latin Jazz how could you ever forget the name Jack Costanzo? Well to remind you of the tasty sounds this master percussionist produced from his bongo drums we have a brand new recording entitled Back From Havana on Cubop records. This recording will take you back a few years and re-establish some sweet memories.

Jack is credited with having introduced the bongo drums into American popular music in the late 40ís during his tenure with names like Nat ìKingî Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry James, Perez Prado, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee and with his own classic recordings. He also had the honor of teaching the bongo drums to Marlon Brando, Judy Garland, James Dean, Tony Curtis, Gary Cooper and he himself appeared in films with both Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis and Pat Boone. Do you recall the Mission Impossible Theme written by Lalo Schiffrin? Well, those crisp bongo rolls are from Jack Costanzo's magic fingers. Now do you think that the bongos are hip? Well from that list and from the music created from the hands and fingers of Jack Costanzo, you will agree with me that this legend has created a treat for all us Latin Music fans.

I am so very happy that Jack has come back. Wait a minute!.. I don't think he ever left. We will have to ask him just exactly where he has been. Anyway, the name Jack Costanzo is linked to many historic and classic recordings. His recordings are considered collectors items and are in high demand. He recorded such classics as Latin Fever, Plays Afro-Cuban, Afro Cuban Jazz North of the Border, Equations in Rhythm, Bongo Fever, Latin Percussion with Soul and a favorite of mine Themes Go Latin which was released in 1983 on Liberty Records. That album is a classic in itself when you consider the personnel on: Eddie Cano, Luis Miranda, Paul Lopez, Ray Rivera, Chino Pozo, Tony Teran, Ruben Leon and Johnny Rodriguez. When you think of the music and memories this man has created there is no true monetary value that can be placed on it.

With "Back from Havana", Jack has assembled a stellar cast of musicians that give the right punch to Jack's explosive music. Produced by Latin Jazz Timbalero Bobby Matos, this CD has classic written all over it and will now make those collector's albums of Jack's even more sought after.

On "Back From Havana" you will hear an array of emotions and rhythms from Cha-Cha to swinging mambos and descargas, to a sultry bolero and Jazz standards including "Milestones", "Airegin", "Work Song" and Nat Adderly's "Jive Samba" which Jack recorded on his album Latin Percussion with Soul released in 1968 on Tico Records. Also take note of the talented and lovely Marilu whose vocals will leave you breathless. She has been compared to legendary salsa divas Celia Cruz and La Lupe.

Track Listing

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La La La
En La Noche
Jive Samba
Mantequilla
Milestones
Quimbara
Nana Sere
Airegin
Montiki
Te Quiero Te Quiero
Trompeta y Bongo
Jack's Back
Work Song
Going Home

Enjoy as I did the magic of this living Latin Music legend!

By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com