A beautiful "Homenaje" to a wonderful human being. He now has the opportunity to play and jam with many of his friends at the other side. They will be happy he is home. Viva Peraza, Viva Armando!!

Always an encouraging word...Love him dearly...miss him.

Saw him with Santana a couple of times. Always amazing.

A great tribute to Armando. Martin, Thank-you for sharing this.

Never met the legend, but we shared the same last name — and, it got me through the door with the late Jorge Santana — with whom I performed for 10 years: 1997 – 2007! More on those years at my channel here on YT.

Thank you Martin for always providing quality content on the web.

R.I.P. Armando.

Martincongahead, Thank You! Grinning from ear to ear.

Armando Peraza is the greatest conguero ever!!!

Heavenly rumbas. Armando, Mongo, Patato y Francisco. Viva Cuba!

this is excellent Martin. Looking fwd to part 2

Thanks Mr. Cohen we waiting for second part. Amazing

John Santos, my teacher.

Thanks 🙏

What an awesome tribute to one of the great ones. I saw Armando and Mongo Santamaria live in Ft Lauderdale one groovy night....it was smoking HOT.

Thanks Martin!

Thank you Martin

Beautiful!  I don't know how I missed this!  De todos modos, I'm glad I found it!  What a treasure!  

One of the more cherished experiences of my life, was one afternoon and evening I spent with Amando Peraza. As a child, I grew up listening to afro-cuban jazz, at the behest of my Brother-in-law, Bob Lee... who was probably the leading jazz aficionado (and jazz promoters) on the West Coast, during the latter part of the last century. Bob's best friends, outside of the musicians he knew, were Leonard Feather and Jimmy Lyons (the man who created, almost single-handedly, the Monterey Jazz Festival.) Needless to say, I started playing congas, as soon as I could hold them between my knees...

So, I spent many, many hours being schooled on jazz... specifically afro-cuban jazz, both playing and listening. Whenever our favorite musicians would come to town, I practically lived at 'The Lighthouse'... Manhattan Beach's premier jazz club. In fact, my Brother-in-law had a permanent reserved table, waiting for him, whenever he was able to attend. Bob, over the years, became very good friends with many of the jazz greats... Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Shelley Manne (who lived two doors down from where my Sister and Brother-in-law lived, up in the Hollywood Hills,) Stan Kenton, Gerry Mulligan, Willy Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Vince Guaraldi, Lalo Schifrin... So many, that I've forgotten most of them? His favorite was, of course, Cal Tjader, and they became fast friends. Through Cal, I got to meet many of his band-mates... Al Mckibbon, Willy Bobo, Manuel Duran, and many others... Armando was Cal's percussionist for many years.

The most memorable of them all, was, of course, Armando. In 1972, I was living in the Bay Area, and I heard that Call was appearing at  the El Matador club, and I went, hoping to say hello, and listen to some good music. During the first set, I caught Cal's eye and waved hello, but when the break came, he disappeared backstage, and he never came back out until the 2nd set. Armando, did come over to my table, and sat down... which surprised me. I had only met him briefly, one other time, and I couldn't for a moment believe that he would remember me.  He said he did, though... telling me that I was the kid that he'd met, the last time he'd seen Bob Lee. I was stunned! He then explained, that after the last set, he was going to go catch a bite, and then go over to the City Lights bookstore... all within walking distance. He asked me if I wanted to join him?!!!!! If I was stunned before, I was now speechless?!!! I managed to say yes, and I spent the 2nd set just sitting there, pinching myself!

When the 2nd set was over, and all the instruments secured, I followed Mr. Peraza to the Italian restaurant that he'd mentioned, and then later, on to the bookstore!

All in all, it was a truly magical night, and one that I'll never forget!

Where was Carlos?