Willie Bobo

timbales, percussion · 1934–1983 · New York

A percussionist born William Correa in East Harlem, self-taught on bongos from his teens. A figure of Latin jazz and boogaloo, he recorded for Verve in the 1960s; Spanish Grease remains his best-known track.

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Styles

• Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban
• Soul jazz, boogaloo

Landmark tracks

• Spanish Grease (1965)
• Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries (1966)

Cited in 2 radio episodes

• May 14, 2026: Willie Bobo, le percussionniste qui fait mal (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Feb 19, 2026: Willie Bobo, le percussionniste qui fait mal (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)

Sources

• EN : Willie Bobo

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