World Percussion Masters?

[Edward Anthony G.]

In speaking to a group of percussionist friends we were discussing who our favorite Latin and World drum masters were and as to who we felt we had admired and maybe learned something from in their careers and work. I myself had said that Francisco Aquabella is one of my all time favorite Conga and Bata players, Coke Escovedo I felt brought Timbales to a whole different level in Latin Rock but my first choice has to be Chepe, Jose 'Chepito' Areas. He set the standard for Timbaleros in the Latin Rock field and is very under rated I feel. His son Adrian is a great player also and plays with the Gregg Rolie band, if you see him live you can see the same fire in his playing as his father, but then if Chepe is your dad then why not. The World masters I don't know of that many but I have heard Mamady Keita and of course the great Babtunde."Is there someone that you can say you have admired or taken something from as a percussionist"?

[Ray]

My genre is latin, especially salsa, and my influences are also:

Tito Puente, Jose Mangual, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barreto, Endel Dueno, Roberto Roena, Nicky Marrero, Edgardo Morales, Marc Quinones, Orestes Vilato, Johnny Rodriguez, Jose Mangual Jr., Pablito Rosario, Milton Cardona, Papo Pepin, Tito de Gracia, Albert Machuca....these are just a few that I really admire and in some instances are big influences. Not that many old old school but some are there...

Saludos!