I had been wanting to meet Mongo Santamaria personally for years and one night in 1993, I had the oportunity to see him play at a Jazz festival in Vitoria, Spain. On top of that, he was Tito Puente’s guest of honour. I had my friend Mario Covela with me that day. After the concert finished we decided, like proper fans with camera in hand, to go and find Mongo. I was speechless when I saw him. He was quietly sitting behind the stage with a sympathetic smile on his face. I introduced myself to him and told him that I was so greatful for all he had taught me through his records. With the same smile he responded: ”Gracias,muchacho! ” (“Thanks,my friend!”) That’s when Mario said “Whiskeeeeeey!” and took the picture you see here.
It is a great honour for me to pay tribute to Mongo Santamaria, master of the ‘tambor’ whom I have admired since I was a little boy. Through his recordings he taught me love for music and percussion. It is because of his work that the conga drum has such an essential place in the music of today. I must admit to you that it hasn’t been an easy task recording this much deserved tribute to Mongo Santamaria. Performing his music with the necesary understanding and respect is what matters most to me. So you are now holding in your hands this CD entitled “Mongomania” with which we want to pay homage to a man who has left us a musical legacy for all eternity. Mongo deserves to always be remembered.
