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On the schedule

Francisco Aguabella Tour Dates & Tickets

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Inside the performance

Sound, stage & company

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Francisco Aguabella (October 10, 1925 – May 7, 2010) was a towering figure in Afro-Cuban percussion, blending traditional African rhythms with jazz and Latin styles. Born in Matanzas, Cuba, Aguabella immigrated to the United States in 1953 and became a leading voice in batá drumming and conga performance. His work helped shape the soundscape of Latin jazz and Afro-C Cuban music across decades, earning him prestigious honors and collaborations with some of the world’s biggest names in music.

The live experience

What reaches the room

On this page, you’ll find a detailed biography, key discography highlights, and a look at his enduring influence. Though there are no upcoming tour dates — Aguabella passed away in 2010 in Los Angeles — his legacy continues through recordings, performances by tributes, and a lasting impact on percussionists worldwide.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Francisco Aguabella’s artistry lives on through his recordings, educational outreach, and the artists he inspired. For fans and newcomers, exploring his discography offers a window into the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and rock influences. Follow official channels for occasional tributes and archival releases that keep Aguabella’s percussive voice alive.

The essentials

Quick Facts About Francisco Aguabella

  • Born October 10, 1925 in Matanzas, Cuba; immigrated to the United States in 1953 and became a leading Afro-Cuban percussionist.
  • Known for batá drumming (olu batá) and congas; helped fuse traditional African rhythms with jazz and Latin styles.
  • Notable collaborations include Dizzy Gillespie, Peggy Lee, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Carlos Santana, Malo, and Paul Simon.
  • NEA National Heritage Fellow in 1992; multiple other honors, including the Durfee Foundation’s Master Musicians Fellowship.
  • Discography as a leader spans Dance the Latin Way (1962) through Ochimini (2004), plus several 1990s Cubop releases.

The records

Francisco Aguabella Discography

  • Ochimini
    2004 · Cubop
  • Cantos a los Orishas
    2002 · Pimienta
  • Cubacan
    2002 · Cubop
  • H2O
    1999 · Cubop
  • Agua de Cuba
    1999 · Cubop
  • Oriza: Santeria Religion Afrocubana
    1993 · Ubiquity Records
  • Ay Que Rico!
    1993 · Fantasy
  • Hitting Hard
    1977 · Epsilon
  • Dance the Latin Way
    1962 · Fantasy

Francisco Aguabella’s artistry lives on through his recordings, educational outreach, and the artists he inspired. For fans and newcomers, exploring his discography offers a window into the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and rock influences. Follow official channels for occasional tributes and archival releases that keep Aguabella’s percussive voice alive.

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