Cachao's Mambo Mass

rest in peace

Amazing!! I wish the Church services I went to as a kid were like this. It looks like a great time. And Cachao gets down on the bass. Excellent.

WOW.

If Arturo Sandoval and Andy Garcia were part of mass at my local church you can bet I'd be there every sunday!

Amen.

What an amazing moment! Cachao will be missed by generations!

EL MAESTRO CACHAO! “COMO SU RITMO NO HAY DOS’

On this morning March 22, 2008, the legendary musician, composer, arranger and cultural icon Israel Lopez better known to all of his admirers as CACHAO! passed away.

He leaves with us a legacy of extraordinary trendsetting music, and an unequaled example of humanity, that was a gift to all of us, who had the good fortune and honor to experience.
He had a religious dedication to his art form that began at the age of twelve debuting with the Havana Philharmonic playing acoustic Contra Bass while standing on a wooden box. He created the Mambo in 1939 along with his closest collaborator, his brother Orestes. That composition entitled “Danzon Mambo” laid the foundation for the Mambo craze that swept the world. Later in the 1950’s he brought together the greatest musicians from the Havana music scene and again revolutionized Cuban music with his now legendary Descargas, “Jam Sessions”.

Cachao is “La Mata”, “The Tree”, from this tree rooted in the deepest traditions of Cuban music everything in modern Cuban music, music known to many as Salsa stems. His passing marks the end of an era. An era that brought to us some of the most
genial talents in Cuban music history, music that has influenced music for nearly a century. Talents such as, Ernesto Lecouna, Beny More, Ignacio Piñero, to name a few. And the magnificent Bebo Valdes, one of Cachao’s compatriots and collaborator. Who is still
spreading the traditions of our music around the world with great influence and popularity.

I had the great privilege of collaborating with Cachao as his producer and band member since 1990. Together we recorded four records. Master Sessions Vol. I and II, which earned Cachao his first Grammy, and “Cuba Linda’ which again brought him Grammy and Latin Grammy Nominations. Also directing a Documentary on his life entitled “Cachao, Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos” set around the now legendary concert in 1990. And the film “Cachao, Ahora Si”
which chronicles his creative process during our last Grammy and Latin Grammy award winning CD/DVD. And most recently another tribute documentary entitled “Cachao, Uno Mas” documenting an honor bestowed upon him from San Francisco State University and concert that followed.

After a lifetime of listening to Cachao’s music and eighteen years of Concerts and records together. I consider our collaboration and friendship one of most
important accomplishments of my life. Cachao is our musical father. He is revered by all who have come in contact with him and his music and is referred to simply as EL MAESTRO! He has been honored around the world and has his rightful place in the Smithsonian Institute.

What is one to do know? How does one move forward in the face of such a monumental loss? In the only way that Cachao would want us to. To honor him with the maximum effort to carry out what was most important to him. Which is continue and never abandon the traditions of our music and culture. This is what Cachao was all about and the example that set for us will continue to inspire generations to come.
Maestro, your music has accompanied me all my life and will continue to do so until we meet again. You have been my teacher, and you took me in like a son. So I will continue to rejoice with your music and carry our traditions wherever I go, in your honor.

- Andy Garcia
Actor /Director/Producer
And proud member of the Cachao Orchestra
Los Angeles, Ca
3/22/08

I was lucky enough to have spent time with Cachao and his wife, Ester, over the years. Quiet time, away from back stages and recording sessions.

My late partner, George Hernandez, had evolved to being one of Cachao's nephews. George had introduced Cachao to his father in Miamai and they became fast friends.

We had worked on several projects with Cachao; the documentary "Como su Ritmo no Hay Dos", concerts and various recordings. George often helped Cachao navigate his way through airports and customs etc.

I too would meet Cachao and spend time with him. On several occasions I put on a CD in my car when he and his wife were with me..... always older Cuban musicians. Inevitably his wife would lean in from the back seat and ask Cachao, "Es Miguelito Valdez! Recuerde el dia cuando vino Miguelito a la casa cuando vivimos en La Calle....."(Es Miguelito! Remeber when he came to the house when we lived on Calle...."

Cachao would proceed to talk at length about Miguelito. Then I would change the CD to Bene More. "Cachao," asked Ester," Recuerde la noche cuando tuvimos que recoger Bene de la policia en Santa Clara?"(Cachao remember that night when we had to get Bene from the police in Santa Clara?)

Cachao would shake his head, sigh, and go off on a long roll about Bene. Ultimately he busted me, when I leaned forward to put in another CD. He gently stopped my hand and whispered, "Basta." then he laughed the great laugh of one who loves a joke.

A delightful moment occurred in a Chinese restaurant. Cachao and Ester loved Chinese food and invited me for lunch one day to a restaurant across from the Palace in LA. . We had a delightful lunch and when the fortune cookies came, Ester asked me to translate hers. "Dice que muy pronto va a ayudar una amiga" (something like that...."soon you will help a friend"). Then Cachao motioned towards his. "Bueno maestro , la suya dice que muy pronto alguien te va a contar un secreto" ("Maestro, yours says that soon someone is going to tell you a secret.)"

They both pointed towards my open fortune cookie. "what does your say?" I looked at it and waved my hand. "I'd rather not say. I'm sorry." Cachao looked at me and nodded at the fortune. "Tell us!."

"OK," I said reluctantly. "Dice: crees que eres un conguero pero no."

They laughed for the longest time. When we returned to the sound check he told everyone. I was so happy to make him laugh.

I will cherish those fleeting moments.

Alan Geik

That was beautiful. Thank you for posting this. Que viva Cuba libre!