Cal Tjader

vibraphone, drums, percussion · 1925–1982 · St. Louis

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1925, Cal Tjader played drums with Dave Brubeck, then vibraphone and bongos with George Shearing, before founding his Modern Mambo Quintet in 1954. Often described as the most notable non-Latino musician in Latin jazz, he won a Grammy in 1980 for La Onda Va Bien and died in Manila in 1982.

Profile not yet validated. Written by Jazzency, not yet proofread: dates and facts to be confirmed.

Styles

• Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban

Landmark tracks

• Tu Crees Que? (1959)
• Soul Sauce (1964)

Cited in 1 radio episode

• Feb 25, 2026: Cal Tjader Mambo Quintet pour l'ouverture de Monterey 59' (Jazzlive, TSF Jazz, in French)

Sources

• Source

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