Malo

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For other uses, see Malo (disambiguation).

Malo was a Latin based Rock and Roll group. The San Fransisco-based ensemble wasa led by Jorge Santana, the brother of famed Latin-Rock guitarist Carlos Santana. Malo had a Top 20 hit with the song "Suavecito" in 1972. Lead singer Arcello Garcia, Jr., and guitarist Abel Zarate gave Malo a distinctive two-guitar sound, with intricate harmony and dual solos the norm. The band featured full horn and percussion sections, in the style of contemporary bands Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago and others. Some of the best musicians in the bay area played in Malo, including Forrest Buchtel, Jr. and Tom Harrell in the trumpet section. Their songs had a huge following in Central and South America, especially Chevere, Nena, Pana, Cafe and Oye Mama. A well-documented rift in the mid-1970's saw the group eliminate the white musicians in favor of an entirely Chicano band. The band still tours today with the original three leaders. Buchtel went on to play with Blood, Sweat and Tears, Jaco Pastorius and Woody Herman - Harrell has become one of the most lyrical trumpet soloists of all-time, working often with saxophonist Phil Woods.