MARIO “MACHITO JR.” GRILLO

Back in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties, American urban culture in big cities spiked with the introduction of Latin-jazz big bands. When reminiscing about the “age of Mambo” and the Palladium Ballroom, a few names especially come to mind, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, and Machito. The trilogy was constantly engaged in friendly competition for stature and fan base. Machito, the famed Cuban bandleader/maraca player, caused a mini-revolution in music and dance. It would be a long shot but intriguing to suggest that, since Machito was among the first to encourage jazz-style improvisation, he prepared his musicians and fans for the advent of bebop. Certainly, his penchant for electric performances was designed to get everyone dancing.