With all of Tjader’s projects he still found time to play drums, bongos and even sit in a couple of time playing the piano. Tjader studied music over at San Francisco State college. He would later meet with the famous Dave Brubeck and end up playing drums in the Dave Brubeck Trio from 1949-1951. In 1953 he would the join the ever-popular George Shearing Quintet as vibraphonist and percussionist. A year later we would leave the band and start his own project that would emphasize Latin elements and play mainstream jazz. Tjader would play through the 50’s and the 60’s. He scored a hit in 1965 with “Soul Sauce” a work of Dizzy Gillespie/ Chano Pozo’s “Guacha Guaro”. Cal Tjader influence on music will always live on through generations of Jazz fans as well as music fans. If your not familiar with him, get familiar, that’s why this is a prerequisite.
Jazz music is an influential element in every music possible. Whether you’re a fan of Jazz or not you should have a appreciation for what this genre has done for music and musicians. This month we highlight a very influential man who took a sect of Jazz and but his flavor into the mix. Cal Tjader known for being a vibraphonist had an amazing style where it could be blended in a mixture of Latin jazz and bop. His sound was rhythmic, refreshing and eloquent all blended together and ready to serve out to the masses. Cal Tjader was the most famous non-Latino leader of a Latin jazz band. This scenario is like having a unicorn fly
above you and having it shit all over your brand new washed car, rare indeed. Tjader was an influence to Carlos Santana, who would later define what Latin Rock would become in the future.
