Mongo Santamaría

Born

1917-04-07

Died

2003-02-01

Birthplace

Havana, Cuba

Biography

Ramón 'Mongo' Santamaría Rodríguez was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who spent most of his career in the United States. Primarily a conga drummer, he was a leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s.