Machito + His Orchestra Kenya: Afro-Cuban Jazz With Machito

Machito was born Frank Raul Grillo 16th February 1912, Tampa, Florida. Machito played a huge role in the history of Latin jazz, for his bands of the 1940’s were probably the first to achieve a fusion of powerful Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. At it’s roaring best , the band had a hard charging sound, loaded with jostling, hyperactive bongos and congas and razor-edged riffing brass. Machito was the front man, singing, conducting, shaking maracas, while his brother-in-law Mario Bauza was the innovator behind the scenes, getting Machito to hire jazz-orientated arrangers. After an earlier aborted attempt to launch a band with Bauza, Machito founded the Afro-Cubans in 1940, taking on Bauza the following year as music director where he remained for 35 years. Playing regularly at New York’s Palladium, Machito’s band reached it’s peak of popularity during the mambo craze of the 1950’s, when this album was recorded.

This outstanding album, recorded in 1957, in honor of the then recently formed republic of Kenya, highlights the wonderful Afro-American and Afro-Cuban musical language Machito spoke so well.

In this album, Machito has combined all the elements needed in bringing the true meaning of Afro-Cuban jazz music to the listener. Machito, his musical director Mario Bauza, Rene Hernandez and A. K. Salim who along with Mr Bauza composed and arranged this music, define it this way: Afro-Cuban rhythm differs from other rhythms in that instead of the usual drums carrying the rhythmic beat, it is carried by Cuban percussion instruments such as the bongos, congas, timbales, guiros and maracas. Also, and even more elemental, is that although there are four beats to the bar as in all jazz, in Afro-Cuban jazz the beat is not played by any instrunments as such. It is felt, rather than actually heard. Afro-Cuban jazz is, in it’s performance, the marriage of Afro-Cuban rhythm and soloists.

• Recorded at Metropolitan Studios, NYC, New York, December 1957

• Genre: Jazz
• Internal ID: JIT
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 7/25/18
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item's shipment.**
• Format Detail: LP Black

Domestic U.S. Standard Shipping: Arrives within 5-7 business days.

International Shipping:  We ship to many countries worldwide. 

Delivery times and costs depend on the destination and the shipping method selected.

Please note, international customers are responsible for any customs, duties and taxes.

Upgraded Shipping services are available upon request.  

Please email mark@musicrecordshop.com for more information. 

Order Processing

Orders are ordinarily handled inside 1-2 business days. You will get a confirmation email upon shipment with a tracking number. 

Shipping Rates

Shipping charges are based on the weight of your order and the selected shipping method at checkout. We strive to offer competitive shipping rates for the best value.

Free Shipping

We offer free standard shipping on domestic orders on selected packs and vinyl offerings. 

Returns and Exchanges

Please contact us with any return or exchange requests.

Email:  mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675

Return Policy

Returns are accepted within 7 days of product delivery.  

New vinyl must be unopened and unplayed, unless there is concealed damage.  

Used vinyl is graded for vinyl and jacket condition.  Please contact us directly if there is a problem. 

Signed vinyl records cannot be returned unless they are damaged or defective.

Sleeves and LP Mailers can be returned within 7 days.  

Please contact us with any return issue.

Email: mark@muscirecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675

Return Process

Contact Us: To initiate a return, email us at mark@musicrecordshop.com or call us at 314.675.8675. Include your order number and product issue.

Ship the Item: Pack the item securely for return. 

Refunds:  A refund will be issued after we receive and inspect your returned item. 

You will receive an email notification of the refund. 

Exchanges: If you need to exchange an item, please contact us.

Email: mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone: 314.675.8675.

Return Shipping

Customers are responsible for return delivery costs except if the item is damaged. Please contact us if you need a return label.  

Email:  mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675