Frank Grillo- Better known as Machito

Percussionist Machito- one of the most important figures in Afro Cuban jazz and a major band leader for over 40 years. Born Frank Grillo in Florida but raised in Cuba, his mother nicknamed him “Macho” a title that stuck for two decades until he arrived in New York and changed it to “Machito” He spent much of the 1930’s performing in Cuba. His friend Mario Bauza who had moved to the US in 1930 came to Cuba to marry Machito’s sister Estrella. Bauza’s stories about New York would inspire Machito to save money so he could move to New York. He left for the states in 1937, working for various New York based Cuban bands. In 1940 Machito’s Afro Cubans had a successful debut. In 1941 Mario Bauza would join as trumpeter and musical director. Bauza’s experience with New York jazz combined with Afro-cuban music would make Machito’s Afro Cubans truly the Cadillac of Latin big bands. The song Tanga would be widely considered the first Afro-cuban jazz song. Machito was highly regarded as a symbol of Latin oriented jazz appearing in Carnegie Hall in 1949. Machito’s orquestra would record and tour in the 60’s and 70’s. After his passing in 1984, his son Mario would become the leader keeping the legacy of Machito’s afro Cubans alive for the next generation.