Changuito
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Changuito (born José Luis Quintana on January 18, 1948) is a Cuban percussionist. When he was eight years old, he became a professional musician with the band Havana Jazz, directed by Tomas Gonzalez. He played with his father, who was also a musician, and later with the young band La Pandilla de los Cabezas de Perros. At the age of 11, he met the group Cuba Mambo, directed by Rolando Garcia. This band played in Guanabacoa, close to Havana, Cuba, where Changuito now lives.[citation needed]
In 1970 he joined Los Van Van. They created the songo, where a combination of percussion instruments (timbales, cowbells, wood blocks, electronic drums and cymbals) and hand techniques are characteristic.
In 1996 Changuito was nominated for a Grammy award for his work with Carlos "Patato" Valdes and Orestes Vilato, produced by Greg Landau. This was his first recording in the United States and it highlighted many aspects of his playing overlooked in his Van Van recordings. He also played on a recording with Greg Landau accompanying Puerto Rican poet Piri Thomas along with Patato and Orestes.
Changuito taught other percussionists like Giovanni Hidalgo and Karl Perazzo (of Santana).
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