About Me
The legendary, Master Percussionist, Papo Pepin, has recorded and performed with some of the greatest musician in the history of Mambo music. Tito Puente, Mario Bausa, Machito, Celia Cruz, Roberto Roena, Louie Ramirez, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentin, Kako, Charlie Parmieri, Victor Manuelle, Willie Colon, Mark Anthony, La India, In fact it would be easier to say who Papo has not pounded the skins with than to go through the 100-plus recordings he has actually done. One of his regular jobs is providing the percussion for the Africando rhythm-track sessions. And every Sunday at Birdland in New York he plays with the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band.People in the know speak about him in the same terms as the pioneers of Afro-Cuban percussion: Candido, Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Patato Valdez and Francisco Aguabella. Papo Pepin is among them. He is the first port of call when you want the best conguero for your session, single-handedly he can make any band swing. Influenced by his father "Tono Pepin" (who became one of the first bongoceros to play with Tito Puente,) he started pounding on the congas at the tender age of three. By the time he was six he recorded his first record "El Gran Combo Haciendo Algo-Darionex" with his fathers band. There is a whole chapter on him in Vermon Bogg's book on Afro-Caribbean music, " Salsiology." His first CD "Al Natural" is a fantastic release, his second CD "Ponte en Vela," has the kind of swing that you can only hear when mambo was at it's best. Both CD's are selling like hot cakes. Papo Pepin also recorded on the sound track of the movie "The Mambo kings," and recently appeared in the Jennifer Lopez production of "El Cantante." Today Papo Pepin is conducting three of his own bands; Papo Pepin y su Orchestra Yimbaraco, Papo Pepin y su Mambo swing and Papo Pepin and his Latin Jazz ensemble. He performs at SOB's, West Gate lounge, Yacht clubs, Clubs in New York and out of town. Traveling with the Mambo Swing around the states and presently working on his thrid production, is what keeps Papo Pepin young at heart, his sound is always fresh and new. This innovator of rythums and beats will never grow old to salseros around the world.
