Best known to jazz fans as the co-composer of the classic Manteca, Chano Pozo was born in Cuba on January 7, 1915 and came to America in 1947. Although he was killed in a Harlem bar fight less than two years after his arrival in New York City, his influence in the development of Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz is still felt today.

Born into poverty, Pozo’s given name was Luciano Pozo Gonzalez and he showed an early interest in playing drums. His neighborhood was rough and Pozo, who was big for age, was often in trouble. At one point he spent time in a youth reformatory. Although Chano had a reputation as a tough guy, he was also well-known for his skill as a singer, dancer, drummer and for the music he contributed to religious celebrations, including music he created for Carnival.

By the time Pozo was in his 20s he was developing quite a reputation as a talented musician and entertainer, but he experienced discrimination in Cuba because of his dark skin. In 1947 he was encouraged by Mario Bauza to try for a better life and immigrated to the United States. Once in America, it was Bauza that introduced Pozo to Dizzy Gillespie who wished to add a conga player to his band.

Shortly after his arrival in New York City, Chano Pozo made the first commercial recordings of rhumbas, cumbias and guaguancos in the U.S. In September of 1947 Pozo was featured with Dizzy Gillespie’s band at Carnegie Hall and later on a tour of Europe. Together Gillespie and Pozo wrote the Latin jazz standards Tin Tin Deo and Manteca and often performed the George Russell tune Cubana Be, Cubana Bop. During his time in America, Pozo also performed and recorded with Ben Webster, Illinois Jacquet, Charlie Parker and Machito.

Chano Pozo was shot and killed on December 2, 1948 in a Harlem bar called the El Rio by a bookie named Eusebio Munoz. He was interred in Havana.

Here is a link to a video of Dizzy Gillespie talking about Chano Pozo and Manteca:

"GILLESPIE ON POZO AND MANTECA"