Sat March 22nd 2008, Israel “Cachao” López, better known as Cachao passed away at a Coral Gables hospital in Miami at age 89. The Cuban born bassist was considered by fans, music critics and historians to be one of the leading figures in Latin popular music. His recent accomplishments include working with Gloria Estefan’s best selling album “90 Millas,” performing alongside actor Andy Garcia and appearing in a new upcoming documentary “Cachao: Una Más” to be premiered next month in San Francisco.
Along with Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, Cachao’s music influenced generations of musicians and shaped the way Latin rhythms were played around the world. Over the years, his popularity grew as new generations of artists discovered his dazzling body of work and jovial personality.
Cachao’s career began when he was still a child in Havana; his talent were unmistakable and quickly recognized, leading him to join the prestigious Havana Symphony. Over the course his stint with the symphony, Cachao played with legendary classical music icons such as Igor Stravinsky.
Credited by Tito Puente as one of the fathers of the “Mambo,” Cachao, along with his brother Orestes orchestrated music for the band Arcaño y Sus Maravillas. The band was influential in popularizing the charanga, a music style that would be feature in Fania releases from Johnny Pacheco in the early sixties.
The next big delopment in Cachao’s career came in 1957, when he introduced—almost by accident—the Descarga. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing," Cachao said to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We were all working in nightclubs and had to wait until 4 a.m. to do the session. I believe the freedom of the improvisation allowed us to investigate our thoughts and souls with respect to the music. I suggested ideas, but everybody did their own thing."
Those Descargas went on to influence generations of Latin music superstars. Today it’s almost impossible to envision a salsa concert without a Descarga (Free Jam Session) and top players such as Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz and Héctor Lavoe. Supergroups like the celebrated Fania All Stars used the Descargas as the centerpiece of their popular concerts.
During the sixties Cachao—like many of his compatriots—sought exile outside of Cuban soil. This led him to spend a decade in Europe, where he played his music to enthusiastic audiences. Still, it wasn’t until the seventies when Cachao moved to the US, to the city of Las Vegas. Cachao played all the top hotels of the era and earned a solid reputation as one the best musicians in town.
Even so, it wasn’t until his relocation to Miami—a city steeped in Latin lore—where Cachao’s famed would experience a renaissance. Once in Miami, Cachao reenergized the city’s Latin music scene, participating in recordings with Andy Garcia and becoming a staple at festivals, such as Calle Ocho—were he was the Carnival King if 2007. He also won a Grammy for the album Master Sessions Vol 1 in 1995.
Described by his colleagues, friends and fans as a kind man, Cachao leaves us with a rich legacy, unparalleled in the history of Latin music.
Along with Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, Cachao’s music influenced generations of musicians and shaped the way Latin rhythms were played around the world. Over the years, his popularity grew as new generations of artists discovered his dazzling body of work and jovial personality.
Cachao’s career began when he was still a child in Havana; his talent were unmistakable and quickly recognized, leading him to join the prestigious Havana Symphony. Over the course his stint with the symphony, Cachao played with legendary classical music icons such as Igor Stravinsky.
Credited by Tito Puente as one of the fathers of the “Mambo,” Cachao, along with his brother Orestes orchestrated music for the band Arcaño y Sus Maravillas. The band was influential in popularizing the charanga, a music style that would be feature in Fania releases from Johnny Pacheco in the early sixties.
The next big delopment in Cachao’s career came in 1957, when he introduced—almost by accident—the Descarga. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing," Cachao said to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We were all working in nightclubs and had to wait until 4 a.m. to do the session. I believe the freedom of the improvisation allowed us to investigate our thoughts and souls with respect to the music. I suggested ideas, but everybody did their own thing."
Those Descargas went on to influence generations of Latin music superstars. Today it’s almost impossible to envision a salsa concert without a Descarga (Free Jam Session) and top players such as Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz and Héctor Lavoe. Supergroups like the celebrated Fania All Stars used the Descargas as the centerpiece of their popular concerts.
During the sixties Cachao—like many of his compatriots—sought exile outside of Cuban soil. This led him to spend a decade in Europe, where he played his music to enthusiastic audiences. Still, it wasn’t until the seventies when Cachao moved to the US, to the city of Las Vegas. Cachao played all the top hotels of the era and earned a solid reputation as one the best musicians in town.
Even so, it wasn’t until his relocation to Miami—a city steeped in Latin lore—where Cachao’s famed would experience a renaissance. Once in Miami, Cachao reenergized the city’s Latin music scene, participating in recordings with Andy Garcia and becoming a staple at festivals, such as Calle Ocho—were he was the Carnival King if 2007. He also won a Grammy for the album Master Sessions Vol 1 in 1995.
Described by his colleagues, friends and fans as a kind man, Cachao leaves us with a rich legacy, unparalleled in the history of Latin music.
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