Bronx born Bobby Matos began playing music beating on pots and pans in Grandma’s apartment and went on to backstage informal lessons with conga drum masters Patato Valdez and Mongo Santamaria. His first gigs were in the early ‘60’s "beat — bohemian" Greenwich Village cafes, but he soon found himself playing in every type of venue; from Bronx dance halls to Carnegie Hall, to elegant supper clubs, Central Park Concerts, Off Broadway theaters, and ‘After Hours" clubs in El Barrio.
He was inspired and encouraged to play timbales by Willie Bobo and Tito Puente, and in the late ‘60s attended the New School and Manhattan School of Music studying composition and arranging. Around this exciting time for Latin Music in N.Y., he recorded "My Latin Soul" for Philips Records. This recording eventually became a much prized cult classic influencing many ‘70’s and ‘80’s Acid Jazz groups on both sides of the Atlantic.
After touring and recording with artists like Ben Vereen, Bette Midler, Fred Neil, Jim Croce, Ray Rivera, Joe Loco, Miriam Makeeba, and many others, Bobby relocated to Los Angeles where he began experimenting with an Afro Cuban Jazz band where he could blend (and bend) musical elements from Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Wayne Shorter, Eddie Palmieri, and the rich legacy of Afro Cuban music. In the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, he recorded several albums, most notably 5 critically acclaimed CDs for Ubiquity Records’ "Cubop" label. He also produced CDs for Ray Armando, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers, Dave Pike, John Santos, and Jack Costanzo. In 2004 he released the critically acclaimed "Made By Hand", a live recording on the artist’s collective Life Force Jazz records. Bobby’s newest release on Life Force Jazz records contains nine original compositions and three Afro Latin arrangements of John Coltrane compositions, along with an updated band that features power players like Theo Saunders - piano; John B. Williams - bass; Robertito Melendez - congas; Frank Fontaine - flute and tenor sax; Dan Weinstein - trombone and violin; and Bobby's son Jud on percussion. Mambo, Bembe, and Jazz Latino represent healing energy, meditation, and medicine encoded as music. When musicians listen and communicate with each other and their audience on this spiritual level, the music becomes much more than a performance.
Guillermo Edgehill (bass) has played with Machito, Mario Bauza, the Conga Kings, Larry Harlow's Latin Legends
Frank Fontaine (tenor sax, flute) has played with Elvin Jones, Orquesta Broadway, Larry Harlow’s Latin Legends
Joe Gonzalez (congas) has played with Mario Bauza, Chico O'Farrill, the Conga Kings, and the Lincoln Center Afro Latin Orchestra.
Louis Kahn (trombone, violin) has played with Larry Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie and Machito.
Hector Martingon (piano) has played with Ray Barretto, and is in the orchestra of the Broadway show "The Mambo Kings".
Jud Matos (percussion) at 20 years old is a 16 year veteran of playing with his dad's band. He is currently in his 3rd year of college in L.A.
Toli Reid (trombone) has played with Antibalas, Kokolo, and leads an all woman Afro Beat band, the Femm Nameless.
BOBBY MATOS
The spirit of Afro Cuba inhabits the soul of Bobby Matos, one of the best examples of someone whose ingenuity has breathed life into tradition, inventing something new while respecting it’s roots. His Latin jazz incorporates elements of all the great Afro -Cuban bandleaders that came before, but more notably it has enough of his own style to guarantee him a place among them in the pantheon.
…New Times, LA
This is poetry for the feet. Spiritual Pan Africanism, Latin Jazz impossible to sit down to. This is a Musical salad made up of the best of our history, This music is "Our Story". You better get yourself some.
…Avotcja (pronounced Avacha), KPOO FM & KPFA FM
" One of the major keepers of the authentic Afro Cuban Jazz flame….exhilarating, earthy, rhythmically intense, be-bop savvy readings of ethereal Cuban rooted themes"… Hispanic Magazine
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" ….inviting…supercharged…compelling…., Matos’ music will capture even the most jaded ear…" …..Jazziz Magazine
" energetic …marvelous…mambo drenched…first rate soloing … a fine example of music that is too often relegated to an obscure corner of the Jazz world" …..Los Angeles Times
This group is known for tradition and innovation co existing in their new
arrangements of classic Latin Jazz and originals, as heard in their recordings, festival, and concert appearances. They blend beautiful melodies, passionate Afro Latin rhythms, and Jazz blowing.
Frank Fontaine Jr. played with Elvin Jones, Orqesta Broadway, Larry Harlow & the latin legends.
Louis Kahn played with Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Machito.
Guillermo Edgehill played with Machito, Mario Bauza, the Conga Kings, Larry Harlow's Latin Legends.
Contact Bobby, tel: 213 273 8332 / Email: bobbymatos@hotmail.com