Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

PAPAÍTO

(b Mario Muñoz Salazar, 5 December 1923, Buena Vista, Cuba) Afro-Cuban singer/ percussionist/ composer with engagingly poignant voice; worked with cha cha chá creator Enrique Jorrín, others; made films in Mexico and joined Sonora Matancera there (continuing as a member into the '90s); left Cuba for good '60. Sessioned on '60s Patato And Totico by conguero Carlos 'Patato' Valdez and vocalist/percussionist Eugenio Arango 'Totico', Mark Weinstein's avant-garde Cuban Roots '68 produced by Al Santiago, Mongo Santamaría's Up From The Roots '72, Roberto Torres's El Castigador '73, Patato's respected Ready For Freddy '76, Israel 'Cachao' López's esteemed descarga/ danzón sets Cachao y su Descarga '77 Vol. 1 '76 and Dos, Vol. 2 '77. Papaíto's solo debut was Robert Torres presenta a su amigo: Papaíto '79, the first of four successful LPs on SAR; Papaíto '80 included a memorable version of the Cuban classic 'Aprietala En El Rincon', both these with trumpet-led conjunto occasionally augmented by violin and flute: Papaíto Rinde Homenaje A Abelardo Barroso '80 used a charanga augmented by tres, and was a tribute to Cuban vocalist Barroso (1905-72); it is regarded as one of his best. Switched back to conjunto for Papaíto '82, Para Mis Amigos '84. Made SAR All Stars Recorded Live In Club Ochentas, Album 2 '81 and SAR All Stars Interpretan A Rafael Hernández '81 with SAR All Stars; he also appeared with various SAR roster stars on El Cañonazo de la SAR! '84. He sessioned on recordings on SAR and other labels by Linda Leida, Henry Fiol, ex-Septeto Nacional singer Alfredo Valdés, his son Alfredo Valdés Jr and Peruvian singer/composer Melcochita. Provided lead vocals to two tracks on Valdésa Records Presenta Vol. 1: Salsa Sudada '90. Solo UK debut '87, returned November 1993 as a member of Sonora Matancera.