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Cuban percussionist Candido started his recording career at home and immigrated to the United States in the early ’50’s. His first job as a sideman was with Latin jazz leader Machito on the recording “El Rey Del Mambo.” He formed his own before the end of the ’50’s and they toured extensively around the world. Although he became a band leader he still recorded with many of the top jazz artists including but not limited to Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Tony Bennett and Wes Montgomery. He was one of the major players to bring congas to jazz and was influential in the development of Afro-Cuban jazz and mambo. In the ’70’s Candido explored disco music and recorded the album Dancin’ And Prancin’ for the Salsoul label. “Thousand Finger Man” and “Jingo” were embraced by disco culture and became dance music classics starting with New York City’s underground scene and then house music in the ’80’s. In 2008 Candido received the National Endowment For The Arts Jazz Masters Award.
