Latin Star Aguabella Dies

Latin percussionist FRANCISCO AGUABELLA, who worked with FRANK SINATRA and PEGGY LEE, has died. He was 84.

The musician passed away in Los Angeles on Friday (07May10) following a battle with cancer, according to his manager Orna Rachovitsky.

Aguabella emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in the 1950s and made his name performing with legendary dancer Katherine Dunham in the movie Mambo.

He worked with many jazz artists, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente, but often crossed over into the rock genre, playing on records by The Doors and Santana.

The star received numerous awards during his career, including the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Durfee Foundation’s Master Musicians’ Fellowship, and recognition by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Aguabella carried on performing right up until his death - he even had a show scheduled for Saturday night (08May10). The gig went ahead as a tribute to the star, Rachovitsky tells the Associated Press.