Latin jazz percussionist Aguabella, who played with Sinatra and Paul Simon, dies in LA at 84
By APSaturday, May 8, 2010
Latin percussionist Francisco Aguabella dies at 84
LOS ANGELES — Francisco Aguabella, the Cuban-born percussionist whose Latin rhythms backed up Peggy Lee, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon, has died. He was 84.
His manager Orna Rachovitsky says Aguabella died Friday in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.
Most famous for his mastery of the conga drums, Aguabella emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s and got his break performing with legendary dancer Katherine Dunham in the movie “Mambo.”
He was best-known for his work with jazz artists like Gillespie and Tito Puente, but often jumped genres into rock, playing on records by the Doors and Santana.
Aguabella kept performing into his 80s, and had a gig scheduled for Saturday night at a Fullerton cafe.
Rachovitsky says the show was shifted to an Aguabella tribute.
Tags: Arts And Entertainment, California, Celebrity, Los Angeles, North America, Obituaries, United States
