Manny Oquendo & Libre

Manny Oquendo launched his percussion studies in 1945, building drumming skills through stints with the ensembles of Carlos Valero, Luis del Campo, Juan "El Boy" Torres, Jose Budet, Juanito Sanabria, Marcelino Guerra, Jose Curbelo and Pupi Campo until he became Tito Puente’s bongo player in 1950. He moved to Tito Rodriquez in 1954 and then to Vicentico Valdes in 1955. Over the next six years he worked as a freelancer while appearing on recordings by New York’s leading bands. In 1962 he joined the Eddie Palmieri orchestra on a lasting basis. Oquendo’s Conjunto Libre took shape before the close of 1974. Worldwide notice arrived in 1983 with his recording of “Little Sunflower,” hailed as one of the year’s standout releases.