Bandleader and Latin percussion maestro Ray Mantilla passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in New York City. He was 85 years old.
Raymond Mantilla was born in New York City on June 22, 1934 in a family with Puerto Rican roots.
Ray grew up with some of the biggest names in the New York City salsa and Latin Jazz scene, including conguero Ray Barretto, timbalero Orlando Marin, percussionist Manny Oquendo, pianist Eddie Palmieri, flute player and percussionist Johnny Pacheco, and percussionist Benny Bonilla.
A master percussionist, Mantilla played a wide-range of percussion instruments, including congas, bongos and timbales. He played on numerous recordings, including iconic albums such as M’Boom by Max Roach, Flute, Brass, Vibes and Percussion by Herbie Mann and Cumbia & Jazz Fusion by Charles Mingus.
He recorded nine albums as a band leader.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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