List of descarga musicians

A descarga is an improvised jam session consisting of variations on Cuban music themes, sometimes incorporating elements from other Latin American traditions. Since the 1950s, descargas have enjoyed great popularity in the Latin music community, with many musicians and ensembles attaining international fame due to their descarga performances. This list compiles musicians which are widely considered to have become notable, at least in part, due to their descargas.Acosta, Leonardo (2000). Descarga cubana: el jazz en Cuba, 1900-1950. Havana, Cuba: Ediciones Unión.Acosta, Leonardo (2002). Descarga número dos: el jazz en Cuba, 1950-2002. Havana, Cuba: Ediciones Unión.

List Name Instrument Additional roles Years active SceneJohnny Aguiló percussion director 2000s MiamiRolando Aguiló trumpet director 1950s–1970s Havana, New YorkCarlos Arado trumpet director 1950s–1960s HavanaAlfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros trumpet, flugelhorn arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, New YorkArmando Armenteros trumpet 1950s–1960s HavanaGuillermo Barreto timbales, drums director 1950s–1990s HavanaRay Barretto congas director 1960s–2000s New YorkCachaíto double bass director 1950s–2000s HavanaCachao double bass director, arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, Miami, New YorkCándido Camero congas director 1950s–2010s Havana, New YorkBobby Carcassés trumpet, vocals director 1950s–2000s HavanaRoberto Carcassés piano arranger 1990s–2010s HavanaYoyo Casteleiro piano director, arranger 1950s–1960s HavanaFélix Chappottín trumpet director, arranger 1950s–1970s HavanaWillie Colón trombone, vocals director 1960s–present New YorkSal Cuevas double bass director 1970s–2010s New YorkRichard Egües flute director, arranger 1950s–2000s HavanaLeopoldo "Pucho" Escalante trombone director 1950s–1990s HavanaJosé Fajardo flute director, arranger 1950s–1960s Havana, Miami, New YorkAlfredo de la Fé violin director, arranger 1970s–present Havana, New York, BogotáFrancisco Fellove vocals director 1950s–2000s Havana, Mexico CityNelson González tres 1970s–present New YorkJulio Gutiérrez piano director, arranger 1950s–1980s Havana, Miami, New YorkGeneroso Jiménez trombone director, arranger 1950s–1960s, 2000s Havana, MiamiKako timbales 1960s–1970s New YorkFélix “Pupi” Legarreta violin, flute director, arranger 1950s–2000s Havana, New YorkOrestes López piano 1950s–1960s HavanaRolando Lozano flute director 1950s–1970s Havana, New York, Los AngelesPapo Lucca piano arranger 1960s–2000s PonceJuanito Márquez tres director 1950s–1990s Havana, Madrid, MiamiNicky Marrero timbales 1970s–2000s New YorkOsvaldo "Chihuahua" Martínez güiro director 1960s–1980s New YorkChico O'Farrill trumpet director, arranger 1950s–1990s Havana, New YorkJohnny Pacheco flute, güiro director 1960s–2000s New YorkCharlie Palmieri piano director 1950s–1980s New YorkEddie Palmieri piano director 1960s–present New YorkPeruchín piano director, arranger 1950s–1970s HavanaTito Puente timbales director 1950s–1990s New YorkWalfredo de los Reyes timbales director 1950s–2000s Havana, Miami, San JuanNiño Rivera tres director, arranger 1950s–1980s HavanaPaquito D'Rivera alto saxophone, clarinet director, arranger 1970s–2010s Havana, New YorkCharlie Rodríguez tres director 1970s–2000s New YorkAlfredo Rodríguez piano director 1970s–2000s Havana, New York, ParisBarry Rogers trombone arranger 1960s–1990s New YorkArturo Sandoval trumpet director, arranger 1970s–2010s Havana, MiamiMongo Santamaría congas, bongos director 1950s–1990s Havana, New YorkJosé "Chombo" Silva tenor saxophone, violin 1950s–1990s Havana, New YorkTata Güines congas director 1950s–2000s HavanaNéstor Torres flute director 1970s–present New York, MiamiAlfredo Valdés Jr. piano director, arranger 1950s–2000s New York, Los AngelesAmadito Valdés timbales 1960s–2010s HavanaBebo Valdés piano director, arranger 1950s, 1990s–2000s Havana, StockholmCarlos "Patato" Valdés congas director 1950s–2000s Havana, New YorkChucho Valdés piano director, arranger 1960s–present HavanaAlejandro "El Negro" Vivar trumpet 1950s–1970s Havana, Miami, New YorkSalvador "Bol" Vivar double bass 1950s–1960s Havana

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