Machito

Machito was a Cuban-born bandleader who worked in the United States and led the Afro-Cubans, a group that fused Afro-Cuban rhythms with big-band jazz arrangements. Collaborating with musicians and arrangers such as Mario Bauzá, his ensembles helped integrate Cuban percussion and rhythmic patterns with jazz harmonies, playing a key role in the development of mid-20th century Latin jazz and mambo-era orchestration. He remained a prominent figure in that scene until his death in 1984.