Eddie Montalvo - Misplaced Pages

Puerto Rican Latin jazz & Salsa musician

Eddie Montalvo
Born	(1952-09-25)September 25, 1952 Bronx, New York, U.S.
Genres	salsa, son cubano, boogaloo,Guaguancó, Guajira, Cha-Cha, pachanga, Charanga, Montuno
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Congas, bongo, percussion
Years active	1969-present
Labels	Fania, LP Ventures, Señor Marcha Records
Formerly of	Fania All-Stars, Hector Lavoe, Los Kimbos

Musical artist

Edwin "Eddie" Montalvo (born 25 September 1952) is an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Born and raised in the Bronx, he best known for playing the Congas for Hector Lavoe, Rubén Blades as well as with the Fania All-Stars.

Early career

Montalvo began playing bongo at the age of seven. He began playing bongo in the parks and with local bands. At the age of 17 he began playing professionally, first with Tony Pabon y La Protesta and Joey Pastrana. He switched to the congas when he joined Julio Romero & the Latin Jazz All-Stars. In 1979 he auditioned for the Fania All-Stars where he became the youngest member of the group, replacing one of his mentors Ray Barretto.

Montalvo has recorded with Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Los Kimbos, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Bobby Valentin, Papo Lucca, Roberto Roena, Gilberto Santa-Rosa, Nicky Marrero, Gilbert Colon, Ismael Miranda, Johnny Pacheco as well as with Tito Rodriguez, Jr.

He played with Ruben Blades band for twelve years. Montalvo toured with Ruben Blades throughout Europe, Panama and other countries. Montalvo is on many albums such as Ruben Blades y Son Del Solar Live, Buscando America, Amor y Control, Esecenas and Siembra. In 1987 Escenas won a Grammy in the category of Best Tropical Latin Performance.

Montalvo's recording of the Siembra album with Willie Colón and Rubén Blades in 1979 remains one of the best selling salsa albums of all time. It has sold over 25 million copies, and almost all of its songs were hits at one time or another in various Latin American countries. Montalvo recorded songs such as Pedro Navaja,Cuentas Del Alma, Silencios, Buscando America, Desapariciones, Decisiones, and Todos Vuelven.

Later career

In 1995 he released his first solo album, On My Own. Thereafter he joined Joe Madera's Big Three Palladium Orchestra. In 2012 Montalvo released his second solo album, Desde Nueva York a Puerto Rico. It was nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award in the category of Best Tropical Latin Album. Montalvo played with the Tito Nieves band for three years. Thereafter he played with the Frankie Morales orchestra. Due to his professional experience with Hector Lavoe, Montalvo was asked to perform in and consult on the motion picture El Cantante, featuring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Latin Percussion LP named a special series of Congas in his honor called LP® EDDIEMONTALVO SIGNATURE FIBERGLASS

In addition to being a fulltime percussionist he also worked full time as a gas meter installer for over 25 years with ConEdison in New York.

Discography

As leader

Drum Solos Vol. 1 (1978, LP Ventures)
Drum Solos Vol. 2 (1978, LP Ventures)
Drum Solos Vol. 3 (1973, LP Ventures)
On My Own (1995, Castro Records)
Desde Nueva York A Puerto Rico (2012, Señor Marcha Records)
Señor Tambó (2020, Señor Marcha Records)

As sideman

With Ruben Blades

Rubén Blades* & Willie Colon* – En Argentina (1983)
Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Buscando América (1984)
Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Escenas (1985)
Siembra (1978)
Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Escenas (1985)
Rubén Blades* Y Son Del Solar - Live! (1990)
Ruben Blades Con Son del Solar - Caminando (1991)
Rubén Blades* Con Son Del Solar - Amor y Control (1992)

With Tony Pabon

Tony Pabon Y La Nueva Protesta* - Fango - Pura Salsa, Puro Disco (1976)

With Los Kimbos

Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Santiago - Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Santiago (1976)
The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago - The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago (1977)

With Johnny Pacheco

Johnny Pacheco & Hector Casanova* - Los Amigos (1979)
Johnny Pacheco and Jose Fajardo* - Pacheco Y Fajardo (1982)
Johnny Pacheco & Pete "Conde" Rodriguez* - De Nuevo Los Compadres (1983)
Johnny Pacheco & Pete Rodriguez - Salsobita (1987)
Johnny Pacheco & Pete Conde Rodriguez* - Celebracion (1989)
Sima! (1993)
El Maestro: A Man and His Music (2006)

With Conjunto Classico

Conjunto Clasico Canta: Tito Nieves - Los Rodriguez (1979)

With Jose Mangual, Jr.

José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta - Mangual (1980)
José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta - Que Chevere (1982)
José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta Con Carlos El Grande* - Lo Que Traigo Es Salsa (1983)
José Mangual Jr. - Latin Rhythm & Moods (1990)
Que Chevere (1998)

With Louie Cruz