Guachi guaro cal tjader biography

His last dates for the label in January, were on albums led by singers Rosemary Clooney and Japanese Anli Sugano. The latter was released only in Japan but recorded in California. Tjader died after suffering a series of heart attacks while on tour in the Phillipine Islands, on May 5, He was 56 years old. This discography was compiled with BRIAN, a custom made database software for musicological jazz discographies by Steve Albin — my thanks to Steve for this great software and his help whenever a problem arose.

My biggest thanks, however, goes to S. Duncan Reid — without the information from his research and interviews there still would be many unresolved questions on the discographical side. I sincerely hope the publication of his book will gain him the recognition he deserves for his detailed research. As I am located in Germany, visiting US archives would have been rather difficult for me; I hope this example of international collaboration encourages other jazz researchers the world over.

One by-product of this research was the release of a double CD on the British Acrobat label with live reordings made at the Club Macumba in San Francisco: This album was announced but then withdrawn again. An inquiry with the label revealed problems with track identification that we were able to solve, identify the personnel, and narrow down the time span during which the music must have been recorded.

After graduating from college, Tjader remained in the Bay Area and would continue to perform around San Francisco. Through doing so, he would eventually link up with pianist and recent Army discharge Dave Brubeck, and the two would form an ensemble with Tjader on percussion. His mother who dreamed of becoming a concert pianist instructed him in classical piano and his father taught him to tap dance.

He performed around the Bay Area as "Tjader Junior," a tap-dancing wunderkind. At age sixteen, he entered a Gene Krupa drum solo contest, making it to the finals and ultimately winning by playing " Drum Boogie. He saw action in five invasions, including the Marianas campaign and the Battle of the Philippines. Bill , majoring in education. Later he transferred to San Francisco State College , still intending to teach.

It was there he took timpani lessons, his only formal music training. Brubeck introduced Tjader to Paul Desmond. The three connected with more players and formed the Dave Brubeck Octet with Tjader on drums.

Guachi guaro cal tjader biography

Although the group recorded only one album and had difficulty finding work, the recording is regarded as important due to its early glimpse at these soon-to-be-legendary jazz greats. After the octet disbanded, Tjader and Brubeck formed a trio, performing jazz standards in the hope of finding more work. Tjader taught himself the vibraphone during this period, alternating between it and the drums depending on the song.

Al McKibbon was a member of Shearing's band at the time and he and Tjader encouraged Shearing to add Cuban percussionists. Tjader played bongos as well as the vibes: "Drum Trouble" was his bongo solo feature. Leader — [ edit ] Tjader soon quit Shearing after a gig at the San Francisco jazz club the Blackhawk. The funky pop and rock covers Like many jazz musicians in the s, Tjader began seeking to expand his audience by adding contemporary pop hits to his repertoire.

Gimme Shelter Click to load video Captured live on stage Having performed in front of audiences since he was four years old, Cal Tjader was in his element on stage. Though the sound of his vibraphone was characteristically delicate, cool, and mellow, Tjader always found musicians who could infuse his music with heat, excitement, and energy.