Francisco Aguabella
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Francisco Aguabella (October 10, 1925, Matanzas, Cuba – May 7, 2010, Los Angeles, California) was an Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist whose career began in the 1950s.
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Biography
Aguabella first left Cuba in the 1950s to perform with Katherine Dunham in the Shelley Winters film "Mambo" filmed in Italy. After touring with Katherine Dunham he came to the United States and performed and toured with Peggy Lee for the next seven years. He performed in Europe, Australia, South America, and all over the United States (including the White House). Francisco enjoyed an extensive music performing and recording career and delighted many audiences with his masterful and powerful rhythms.
Francisco performed with many great Jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, Lalo Schifrin, Cal Tjader, Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, Bebo Valdes and numerous others. Francisco was honored to receive numerous awards including the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Durfee Foundation's Master Musicians' Fellowship, and recognition by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. He is featured in the documentary, "Sworn to the Drum" by filmmaker Les Blank, and is featured in a documentary, "Aguabella," currently in production, directed by actor/filmmaker Orestes Matacena (The Mask, Bitter Sugar). He has also appeared with his ensemble on television programs including the Orlando Jones Show on FX.
Francisco was a widely recognized master conguero and bata artist, a caring and knowledgeable instructor. In 1992 he won a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He lived in Los Angeles, California where he taught Afro-Cuban drumming to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Discography
As leader
- 1993: Oriza: Santeria Religion Afrocubana (Cubop/Ubiquity Records)
- 1999: Agua de Cuba (Cubop)
- 1999: H2O (Cubop)
- 2002: Cubacan (Cubop)
- 2002: Cantos a los Orishas (Pimienta Records)
- 2004: Ochimini (Cubop)
As sideman
With The Doors
- Other Voices (1971)
With Paul Simon
- The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)