Eddie Montalvo
Born(1952-09-25)September 25, 1952
Bronx, New York, U.S.
Genressalsa, son cubano, boogaloo,Guaguancó, Guajira, Cha-Cha, pachanga, Charanga, Montuno
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Congas, bongo, percussion
Years active1969-present
LabelsFania, LP Ventures, Señor Marcha Records
Formerly ofFania All-Stars, Hector Lavoe, Los Kimbos

Edwin "Eddie" Montalvo (born 25 September 1952) is an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Born and raised in the Bronx,[1] he best known for playing the Congas for Hector Lavoe, Rubén Blades as well as with the Fania All-Stars.[2]

Early career

Montalvo began playing bongo at the age of seven. He began playing bongo in the parks and with local bands. At the age of 17 he began playing professionally, first with Tony Pabon y La Protesta and Joey Pastrana.[3] He switched to the congas when he joined Julio Romero & the Latin Jazz All-Stars. In 1979 he auditioned for the Fania All-Stars where he became the youngest member of the group, replacing one of his mentors Ray Barretto.[4]

Montalvo has recorded with Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Los Kimbos, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Bobby Valentin, Papo Lucca, Roberto Roena, Gilberto Santa-Rosa, Nicky Marrero, Gilbert Colon, Ismael Miranda, Johnny Pacheco[5] as well as with Tito Rodriguez, Jr.[6]

He played with Ruben Blades band for twelve years. Montalvo toured with Ruben Blades throughout Europe, Panama and other countries. Montalvo is on many albums such as Ruben Blades y Son Del Solar Live, Buscando America, Amor y Control, Esecenas and Siembra. In 1987 Escenas won a Grammy in the category of Best Tropical Latin Performance.[7]

Montalvo's recording of the Siembra album with Willie Colón and Rubén Blades in 1979 remains one of the best selling salsa albums of all time.[8] It has sold over 25 million copies, and almost all of its songs were hits at one time or another in various Latin American countries.[9] Montalvo recorded songs such as Pedro Navaja,Cuentas Del Alma, Silencios, Buscando America, Desapariciones, Decisiones, and Todos Vuelven.

Later career

In 1995 he released his first solo album, On My Own. Thereafter he joined Joe Madera's Big Three Palladium Orchestra. In 2012 Montalvo released his second solo album, Desde Nueva York a Puerto Rico. It was nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award in the category of Best Tropical Latin Album. Montalvo played with the Tito Nieves band for three years. Thereafter he played with the Frankie Morales orchestra. Due to his professional experience with Hector Lavoe, Montalvo was asked to perform in and consult on the motion picture El Cantante, featuring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Latin Percussion LP named a special series of Congas in his honor called LP® EDDIEMONTALVO SIGNATURE FIBERGLASS [10]

In addition to being a fulltime percussionist he also worked full time as a gas meter installer for over 25 years with ConEdison in New York.[11]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Ruben Blades

With Tony Pabon

With Los Kimbos

With Johnny Pacheco

With Conjunto Classico

With Jose Mangual, Jr.

With Louie Cruz

With Willie Colon

With Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez

With Hector Lavoe

With Fania All-Stars

With Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez

With Paul Simon

With Celia Cruz

With Rigo Y Su Obra Maestra

With Marty Galagarza

With Seguida

Luis "Perico" Ortiz

With Pupi Legarreta

With Luigi Texidor

With Santiago Cerón

With Tito Allen

With Luis Doñe Y El Conjunto Mangú Con Junior Soria

With Santiago Cerón

With Caco Senante

With Ray Martínez Y Su Sabor Criollo

With Monguito El Único

With Roberto Lugo

Filmography

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eddie Montalvo.

References

  1. ^ Munoz, Carolina; Lewis, Penny; Molina, Emily (2022). A Peoples Guide to New York City. Oakland: University of California Press. p. 19. ISBN 978-0520289574.
  2. ^ Rivera, Zayda (June 8, 2014). "Summer-long events honor Fania Records' 50th year". Daily News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "NY Profiles Eddie Montalvo" Video on YouTube
  4. ^ Rivera, Zayda (June 8, 2014). "Summer-long events honor Fania Records' 50th year". Daily News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Remembering Johnny Pacheco of Fania Records". NPR. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Moncada, Les (February 20, 2012). "An Intimate Interview with Mambo Master Tito Rodriguez Jr". World Music Central. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Rubén Blades". grammy.com. The Recording Academy.
  8. ^ Baquero, Petrir (September 10, 2022). "Música salsa: 44 años de una Siembra prodigiosa". El Espectador. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Cruz, Barbara (1992). Ruben Blades, Salsa Singer and Social Activist. Enslow Publishers. p. 85. ISBN 978-0894908934.
  10. ^ "LP® EDDIE MONTALVO SIGNATURE FIBERGLASS". LP Music. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "NY Profiles Eddie Montalvo" Video on YouTube


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