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Friday, December 05, 2025

World Music Central

Your Connection to traditional and contemporary World Music, including folk, roots, global music, ethno and crosscultural fusions
World Music Central
Your Connection to traditional and contemporary World Music, including folk, roots, global music, ethno and crosscultural fusions
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Author: Les Moncada

Les Moncada is a former Latin Jazz orchestra leader and conguero for over 40 years. He was born in Oakland, California and currently resides in Sacramento, California. Les Moncada was an apprentice to conga and batá master Francisco Aguabella, a friend of vibraphonist Cal Tjader, Latin Jazz band leader Pete Escovedo, conguero Armando Peraza and many more. He has been writing for many years for World Music Central. Les Moncada’s Facebook site is: Timbales and Congas Bongo Bata and bells.
Album reviews

Master Conguera

Les Moncada April 25, 2011 1 Comment

Janine Santana “Soft As Granite” Soft As Granite by conga player (conguera) and band leader Janine Santana is a must have CD in your Latin…

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Album reviews

Pianist Mark Levine plays Moacir Santos

Les Moncada April 22, 2011 No Comments Mark Levine

Legendary pianist Mark Levine’s CD, Off and On (Left Coast Clave Record 2009) is dedicated to the Brazilian artist, composer and saxophonist Moacir Santos. Mark…

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Book Reviews

Mambo Diablo – My Journey With Tito Puente Book Review

Les Moncada January 21, 2011 No Comments

Mambo Diablo – My Journey With Tito Puente by Joe Conzo, with David A. Pérez. AuthorHouse, 2010. ISBN-10: 1452082812, ISBN-13: 978-1452082813. Tito Puente was the…

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Obituaries

Bata Drum Master Daniel Alfonso Herrera Dies in Cuba

Les Moncada January 14, 2011 No Comments

Daniel Alfonso Herrera, a batá master from Matanzas, Cuba died on December 19th of 2010 of an incurable cancer in the City of Matanzas, Cuba.…

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Uncategorized

Latin Rock Timbalero Rudy Regalado Dies at 67

Les Moncada November 7, 2010 14 Comments

Timbalero, band leader and composer (Hector) Rudy Regalado passed away on November 4th, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 67. Born in…

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Obituaries

Notable Latin music writer and historian Max Salazar Dies at 78

Les Moncada September 21, 2010 No Comments

Max Salazar, noted Latin Music historian and musicologist, passed away on Sunday, September 19th, 2010 in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was 78 years old. Born…

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Obituaries

Vibraphonist Bobby Vince Paunetto Dies at 66

Les Moncada August 12, 2010 1 Comment Bobby PaunettoLatin jazzsalsavibraphone

Latin Jazz vibraphonist Bobby Vince Paunetto passed away in Bronx, New York on August 10th, 2010,  at the age of 66 from complications of multiple…

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Obituaries

Queen of Cuban Bolero Olga Guillot Dies in Miami

Les Moncada July 14, 2010 No Comments

Olga Guillot, the last female giant of the Cuban bolero, passed on July 12th, 2010 in Miami, Florida. She was 87. She was known as…

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Obituaries

Conga Legend Francisco Aguabella Dies in Los Angeles

Les Moncada May 8, 2010 1 Comment Francisco Aguabella

One of the last “Giants’ of Latin Music, Afro-Cuban percussionist Francisco Aguabella died in Los Angeles on May 7, 2010 of a cancer-related illness. Born…

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Obituaries

Master Timbalero Mike Collazo Dies in New York

Les Moncada March 8, 2010 1 Comment

Timbales player Mike Collazo passed away on March 1st, 2010 in New York. He was the renowned set drummer for the Tito Puente Orchesta. Mike…

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