Carlos Vidal Bolado

Carlos Vidal Bolado (1914–1996) was a Cuban conga drum musician and was one of the original Machito and his Afro-Cuban boys. Bolado (better known simply as Carlos Vidal) holds the double distinction of being the first to record authentic folkloric Cuban rumba (Ritmo Afro-Cubano SMC 2519-A and 2520-B, circa 1948) and the first to play congas in Latin jazz (with Machito and his Afro-Cubans).[1]

Carlos Vidal was one of a handful of Cuban congueros ('conga players') who came to the United States in the 1940s and 50s. Other notable congueros who came to the U.S. during that time include Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Chano Pozo, Francisco Aguabella, Julito Collazo and Modetso Duran. Vidal arrived in the U.S. in 1943, before any of the other previously mentioned musicians.

In 1948, Vidal led an unsuccessful revolt in Machito's Afro-Cubans. However, he failed to convince anyone except Andino to leave the Machito orchestra for better-paying job in Los Angeles. Vidal and Andino joined the Miguelito Valdés orchestra and traveled to Los Angeles, where Andino found that jobs were not all that plentiful.[2]

There is not much written on Carlos Vidal except for discography credits. He is credited with participating on many Jazz albums.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.zeno-okeanos.com/rumba-1947.html Earliest Known Audio Documentation of Folkloric Rumba
  2. ↑ Article on Julo Andino- Latin Beat Magazine May 2001 by Max Salazar

External links