Henry “Pucho†Brown
b. Nov 1 1938 Harlem NY.
Pucho and his band the Latin soul brothers were one of the top bands in the mid 1960’s that successfully mixed elements of jazz, Latin, soul and funk. African American Henry Brown was born in Harlem, NY. In his youth he was exposed to jazz, Latin music, and rhythm and blues. Nicknamed Pucho by a friend he was inspired by Tito Puente to pick up the timbales at age 15. In the 50’s he served for several years in pianist Joe Panama’s band. In 1959 he formed his won band known as Pucho and the cha cha boys. One of his musicians was a very young Chick Corea. Pucho’s band attracted attention form top Latin jazz men who lured Corea and other musicians into their own groups. Pucho then reorganized his band and renamed them the Latin soul brothers. He signed with jazz label Prestige in 1966 recording albums that helped define the Latin boogaloo style. This style combined Latin music, jazz and funk. In 1995 Pucho and his band made a come back exposing new audiences to his unique brand of Latin soul.